Self Publishing for Professionals is the go-to fo leaders who are ready to publish their book.
" I always point new podcasters toward Podcasting Business School, which is a fantastic community and learning hub for anyone serious about growing a show."
Today Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis, the creator of Self Publishing for Professionals shares her story of entrepreneurship podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
Self Publishing for Professionals is the podcast built for experts, executives, speakers, and leaders who are ready to write and publish their book. Hosted by Lynn, a five-time published author, ghostwriter, and book editor, this show breaks down every step of the publishing process in plain, practical language. Each episode covers the real decisions authors face, from choosing between self-, traditional, and hybrid publishing to navigating Amazon KDP, book cover design, ISBNs, royalties, and book marketing. Whether you’re battling mindset blocks, looking for a ghostwriter or book coach, or just trying to figure out where to start, this podcast meets you exactly where you are. If publishing your book has been on your to-do list, Self Publishing for Professionals is your invitation to finally make it happen.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
My podcasting journey actually started back in 2018 with Travel Gluten Free, which is still going strong as my passion project. I have Celiac disease, and I love to travel, so it just made sense to combine the two! Ever since that first episode, I’ve been deeply embedded in the podcasting world, making amazing connections and friends for the past decade.
What I’ve always loved about podcasting is that it attracts listeners who genuinely want to learn. That’s exactly the kind of audience I wanted to reach when I created Self Publishing for Professionals. Writing and publishing a book takes real time, effort, and commitment, and I wanted to build a space where authors, both new and returning, could get the support and guidance they need to actually cross the finish line.
I launched Self Publishing for Professionals in January 2024 and had my first episode out within the very first week. Honestly, the process felt pretty natural to me at that point. This is the fifth podcast that I’ve personally produced, and over the course of my career, I’ve worked on post-production for more than 200 other shows. By now, I know my way around a microphone!
► How’d you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
New episodes drop every week, and if you’ve ever wondered what goes into making a podcast, each one takes me roughly four to six hours from start to finish. That includes everything from writing the script and recording to editing, post-production, and creating the marketing content that accompanies it. It’s a labor of love, but I genuinely enjoy every part of the process.
I created Self Publishing for Professionals as an extension of my business, Write For You, which offers ghostwriting and self-publishing services to authors at every stage of their journey. Think of the podcast as your free introduction to what we do, and a way for you to get to know me before we ever work together. Whether you’re writing your first book or your fifth, there’s something here for you.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I’ll be honest with you, sponsorships have never been part of the plan for this show. I created Self Publishing for Professionals purely to serve authors and give professionals a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to write and publish a book. This podcast is my way of giving back to a community I care deeply about, and of course, letting people know that if they ever need a ghostwriter, editor, or publishing guide in their corner, I’m here for that too.
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► How does your podcasting process look like?
For recording, I use Riverside, which is hands down one of the best tools out there for capturing high quality audio and video, and all of my guest interviews are held there as well. When it comes to editing, Hindenburg is my go-to audio editor, and I’ve loved it from the start.
Most of my guests come from my own professional network, which I love because it means I’m bringing in people I already know and trust. On the production side, my two amazing team members and I stay organized through a combination of Trello and a shared production sheet that we update together every week. It’s a simple system, but it keeps everything running smoothly and on schedule.
► How do you market your show?
My listeners find the show in a few different ways. A good chunk of them discover it through searching on Apple Podcasts or through Overcast, and it turns out most of my audience are Apple users, which doesn’t surprise me, given the crowd I attract. I also have a wonderful community called Publishing for Leaders, and that group sends many engaged, motivated listeners my way.
On top of that, the podcast lives on YouTube as well, and a lot of people stumble across the show there through my podcast shorts. It’s a great way to give new listeners a quick taste of what the show is about before they commit to a full episode. Once they’re hooked, they usually don’t stop there!
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
I always point new podcasters toward Podcasting Business School, which is a fantastic community and learning hub for anyone serious about growing a show. Dave Jackson’s classes are another must, he’s one of the most knowledgeable voices in the podcasting space and has a gift for making the technical side feel approachable. And if you’re a book lover like me, grab a copy of Build a Strong Podcast by Jennifer Longworth. It’s a great read that walks you through the process in a practical, encouraging way. The podcasting world is incredibly supportive, so don’t be afraid to dive in, ask questions, and learn as you go!
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
If you want to learn more about me and what I do, the best place to start is my website at writeforyou.me, where you can explore my ghostwriting and self-publishing services, get a feel for my work, and even book a discovery call if you’re ready to talk about your book. You can also find me through the podcast itself, where I show up every week with new episodes designed to help you on your publishing journey. And if you’re looking for a community of like-minded professionals who are serious about writing and publishing their books, come join us in Publishing for Leaders. It’s a wonderful group of people on the same path, and I’d love to see you there!
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