The Creative Shift with Dan Blank: Recent Episodes
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Dan Blank interviews writers and artists who have taken the leap from merely dabbling with their creative vision, to becoming successful doers whose work has a positive impact on others.
In the past year, I have worked with author Mary Carroll Mooreto help her release two novels within six months of each other. There is so much to learn from this experience, I wanted to share it in a mega case study today.
Today I want to share a case study on how to engage your readers by focusing on story and emotions. As a writer, you share in your newsletter or social media because you hope it connects with people in a meaningful way.
It is so tempting for each of us to just focus on the items that are still undone on our to-do lists. To constantly be focused on tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. But when we pause, even for a moment,
Today I want to remind you of something incredibly important: you get to choose. You get to choose if and how you create. You get to choose if and how you publish. You get to choose if and how you share. I want to share two stories of people taking a b...
Recently, I was speaking with a writer who described feeling stuck. They were in a rut, believing in the work they do, but just demotivated on a day-to-day basis. This conversation resonated with me for many reasons.
Today I want to talk about why we create and share. This is something I meditate on all the time, and it is why I work with writers. This week in particular I’ve been thinking about it a lot because I heard of the death of one of my favorite musicians. As I considered his … Continue reading "Art lasts… (podcast)"
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I have heard versions of this from many writers over the years: “An agent told me that if I had 10,000 followers, they would sign me.” Is that true? I don’t think so. Largely, I think this number is entirely made up. What agents and publishers may instead be seeking is a writer’s ability to … Continue reading "Will 10,000 followers get you a book deal? (podcast)"
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If you are a writer, why bother sharing? Why spend your time and energy sharing on social media, starting a newsletter, or vying for attention at all? Sharing is a risk. Yet, I find that sharing what we create and why opens up the possibility for so many good things. I believe that sharing deeply … Continue reading "Why take the risk of sharing? (podcast)"
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Today I want to share a step-by-step guide to publishing a bestselling book. There are just 6 steps, and I will be clear about each one. As a model for this guide, I am going to use one of all-time favorite stories of creative success. Please bear with me here… I want to use the … Continue reading "A 6-Step Guide to Publishing a Bestselling Book (podcast)"
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The more I see of it, the more I am understanding how AI (artificial intelligence) will change the fields of writing, art, and all creative fields in a profound way. Today I’ll share examples of what I’ve been seeing, but my first goal today is to make this episode useful to you. If you are … Continue reading "How Writers, Artists, and Creators Can Thrive in an AI World (podcast)"
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If you are reading this, chances are you are a writer, illustrator, artist, or creator of some sort. You have embraced your creative craft, and work to develop it year after year. I’ve always considered how we share to be a craft as well. How we show up. How we listen. How we connect. How … Continue reading "How you share is a craft (podcast)"
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I’ve sent a weekly email newsletter for 18 years. Recently, I moved it to Substack. In today’s episode I want to share the story of my newsletter, and why I am finding Substack to be interesting for writers. You can listen to the podcast by clicking ‘play’ below, or in the following places: Apple Podcasts … Continue reading "Why I moved my newsletter of 18 years to Substack (podcast)"
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Last episode I talked about the potential impact that artificial intelligence will have on writing, art, and creative work. Today, I want to focus on the opposite: the value of handcrafted creative work (writing, art, etc.), that by their nature are limited edition and deeply personal. What I will cover today: 1.) Why one writer … Continue reading "Handcrafted vs AI writing and art (podcast)"
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Maybe you may have seen a lot of headlines recently about artificial intelligence (AI) writing or art. Recently, I’ve seen things with both that are giving me pause. Today I want to share three things: 1.) Why artificial intelligence in creative work is compelling. 2.) Why AI is likely to create a crisis in creative … Continue reading "How AI may change writing and creating (podcast)"
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Today I want to share details on how one writer I’m working with is selling more books, getting rapid growth in her audience, and increasing the revenue she earns from her writing. Melinda Wenner Moyer is a science journalist and author of the book How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes. She and I began … Continue reading "Case study: Book sales, audience growth, and earnings from an email newsletter (podcast)"
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In the work I do in helping writers connect with readers and grow their platforms, I find that there is often this pressure to “go viral.” To identify a tactic that reaches the most people with the minimum effort. And sure, that’s definitely useful. But that can also be elusive. Today I want to talk … Continue reading "Simple Ways to Connect with Others (podcast)"
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Every week, my friend Jennie Nash and I have a mini-mastermind call. On it, we discuss business challenges, creative goals, new ideas, and so much else. Today, I want to share two of the biggest and most consistent insights we have had, and how they relate to how you can approach sharing your work and … Continue reading "Doing stuff works (podcast)"
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Instead of just recommending a book here and there, instead of just doing a #FollowFriday on Twitter, instead of just linking to someone, what if you gushed about them? What if you celebrated them in a big way? What if you honored what they create? What if you took on the role of someone who shares … Continue reading "Generosity should be your platform (podcast)"
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Today I want to discuss two strategies for effectively marketing your writing that may seem to conflict with each other. Yet, both are essential. Here they are: #1 Consistency Matters. #2 Delight and Surprise Your Audience. You can listen to the podcast by clicking ‘play’ below, or in the following places: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Stitcher … Continue reading "To engage readers: be consistent & delight them (podcast)"
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Today I want to talk about how to reach your goals as a writer. That may be book sales, or book reviews, or appearances, or getting essays published, or developing a following, or so much else. I will cover four key areas from a marketing perspective: 1. Proximity Matters 2. Focus on Conversion 3. Understand … Continue reading "4 critical steps to growing your audience (podcast)"
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Growing up, Corie Adjmi was always experimenting with creativity, but grew up in a house full of athletes: “In the bookcase in my house, there were very few books, but a lot of trophies. But they always gave me the opportunity to take classes.” That support translated into a life of dance, art, and then… … Continue reading "“I’m so happy to be writing, I feel like this is where I was meant to end up,” with Corie Adjmi"
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Many writers and artists who consider how others will find their work look to the common channels: social media, email newsletters, and the like. But right away, they are confronted with challenges: “Um what do I share? And how often do I have to do that? And why will anyone care? And… shouldn’t I be … Continue reading "Create a Sharing System (Podcast)"
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I’m so excited to welcome author Mary Laura Philpott onto the podcast. We discuss how she developed her career as a writer, transitioned from a traditional job office job to freelance work, and how she got her first big bylines in major publications. She tells the amazing story of how a sharing on social media … Continue reading "“I don’t create great work if I’m trying to figure out what trends to follow.” My interview with Mary Laura Philpott"
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Have you struggled to develop the platform you want as a writer? I encourage you to hone the most powerful tool in your entire presence as a writer: Defining your voice. Embracing your voice. Sharing your voice. You can listen to the podcast by clicking ‘play’ below, or in the following places: Apple Podcasts Spotify … Continue reading "Define Your Creative Voice (podcast)"
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So many writers strive to get more followers for their writing. Today I want to discuss how to design an experience for how you engage with your readers, and develop your author platform. One that is thoughtful, focuses on engagement, and helps you view your platform as a craft, not an obligation. My friend Lori … Continue reading "What Great Design Teaches Us About Building an Effective Author Platform (Podcast)"
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Today I want to talk about how you share is a craft. Learning how to do so is akin to developing a new literacy. So many writers and creators consider “author platform” or social media as an overwhelming obligation. What if you flipped that perspective, and instead considered it an opportunity to create deeply meaningful … Continue reading "How You Share Is a Craft"
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Today I want to share a case study of the work I did with author and artist Meera Lee Patel. She is the author of four books which have sold more than a million copies in total. She has more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, and a thriving career as an artist and writer. I … Continue reading "Finding Joy in Sharing Your Writing (Podcast)"
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