The Writing at the Red House Podcast

Kathi and Michele sit down to talk about how to write anywhere and everywhere regardless of how “strange” the place might be. Join them today to talk about the 6 keys to know how to write in weird places. In today’s episode, you will know: Why it’s important to leave the excuses behind. How to write with or without internet. Why being a writer is being a problem-solver. For any of the items you heard Kathi talk about in today’s podcast, check out these links below: Headphones Laptop Desk Overwhelmed Book Thank you for tuning in today! Until next time! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog. *This episode was previously published, but due to a distribution error only 25% of people received it. We heard such great feedback from it that we wanted to re-share so everyone had a chance to listen to it.

Kathi and Michele team up to talk about why having an editorial board is so important; especially as your platform gets bigger. Kathi says no two editorial boards are the same but all are equally important when organizing your content and streamlining your productivity. In today’s episode, you will know: What the definition of an editorial board is. How an editorial board helps you work backwards. Why SEO is important. Why it’s important to use a headline analyzer. As promised, here is the link to the podcast about Trello and how to use it! To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now and never miss an episode or blog.

In today’s episode, Kathi and Michele talk about how common it is to have worked on your craft over, and over, and over again only to bring it in front of an audience and not receive the response you were looking for. Has that happened to you? Kathi says creating your message team is different than a feedback team and explains why sometimes it’s good for us to get out of feeling comfortable. In today’s episode, you will know: What the difference between a message team and a feedback team is and why it’s important to have both. Why you may not be getting the response you were looking for when presenting to your audience. Why your ideas need to see light before they see print. How to create a message team. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now and never miss an episode or blog.

Have you ever tried to challenge yourself to see how much you can get done in 15 minutes? Or tried to multitask while waiting for your coffee to heat up in the microwave? I bet you have! Last week Kathi and Michele talked about obstacles that interfere with productivity; ambition, inhibition, and confusion. Today, Michele is going to start the conversation with you about your homework. She challenged you to take 30 to 60 minutes to write down which obstacles are interfering with your productivity. In today’s episode, you will know: Clearly, what your obstacles are and how to get jump-started on your productivity. What impacts your current productivity and what is your reality? What your clear goal is and what your definition of success is. What the cure is for comparison. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now and never miss an episode or blog.

In today’s episode, Kathi and Michele talk about the 3 major obstacles that interfere with productivity. Michele says we need to identify these big boulders and she gives you some homework to help you take your first, next step. In this episode, you will know: How to identify the big boulders that are getting in the way of you getting things done. What mental clutter is. How to reign in all of your ideas and focus on one thing at a time. To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog.

Join Kathi and Michele in today’s podcast episode as they tell you how to create a mobile office. Who says you need to stop working en route to your next event? Get the most out of your day by using these creative pockets of time to work on the go. In this episode, you will know: Which products Kathi and Michele like to use when they’re on the go. Why it’s crucial to back up your writing with Dropbox. How to continue your communication with your team even when you’re in the car. Thank you for tuning in today. Until next time! Items talked about in today’s episode can be found in the links below: Overwhelmed Book Kathi & Michele’s “Away” Bag Laptop Backpack Charger Laptop Stand Flat Purse Wireless Computer Mouse Apple AirPods Cell Phone Stand Dock Pens To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog.

Kathi and Michele sit down to talk about how to write anywhere and everywhere regardless of how “strange” the place might be. Join them today to talk about the 6 keys to know how to write in weird places. In today’s episode, you will know: Why it’s important to leave the excuses behind. How to write with or without internet. Why being a writer is being a problem-solver. For any of the items you heard Kathi talk about in today’s podcast, check out these links below: Headphones Laptop Desk Overwhelmed Book Thank you for tuning in today! Until next time! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog.

Do you struggle to stay on task? Do you struggle with being distracted from every task by each little noise? Have you ever thought you were the only one? What would you do if there were strategies you could put in place to help cut down the distractions? If you have felt like that, or are feeling like that, you won't want to miss today's episode of Communicator Academy. Being distracted is an issue for Kathi and Michelle, and they want to help you learn from their mistakes. They have put together a short list of 7 Secret Weapons that have proven to boost productivity. In this jam-packed episode you will learn how to use the Composition Mode of Microsoft Word, how to work in short bursts so you can enjoy a sweet reward, and how to use the Freedom App. Thanks for listening!

Welcome to Part 2 of How to Create the Perfect Writer's Retreat with Kathi Lipp and Michele Cushatt! It's important to go to your retreat with your goals already set and rewards for you to look forward to. If you're planning on taking time away from your family to write, you will want to make it worth your time and money. In this episode you will know: Why it's important to set goals. Why you need to reward yourself. Why you need accountability. Thank you for joining us today. Until next time! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog.

Atmosphere

Today is Kathi’s final Book Launch 101 episode with friend and coauthor of Overwhelmed, Cheri Gregory. Today they talk about getting radio ready and how to be a great guest. Whether it be guest blogging, Facebook Live, or a Podcast, they give you insider tips on how to serve your listeners and be the best guest possible. In this episode you will know: How to be a great guest. Why it’s important to be a great guest. How to prepare for an interview. Thank you to Cheri for joining me today. Until next time! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog.

Landing Pages Why You Need it and What to Do with it

In today's podcast, Kathi and Cheri sit down for Part 2 of their Launch Team 101. Last week they talked about how to form a launch team and this week they talk about what to do with them. "When you're doing a book launch, you want to be a good host," says Kathi. "You want to invite them in on the process." Kathi and Cheri share some things that worked and didn't work from previous book launches and how they've learned from their mistakes. In this episode you will know: *How to delegate a lead role in your book launch team. *How to actually get people to review your books. *Where to ask people to leave their book reviews. *Why you should look into having a manuscript development team. Thank you to Cheri for joining me in today's episode. Join us next time as we talk about landing pages! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog.

Writing a book is such an exciting time in an author’s life but what if you’re a first-time author? How do you launch a book? What if you don’t know anyone famous to help you promote your book? Kathi Lipp and her friend, Cheri Gregory, co-author of “You Don’t Have to Try So Hard” talk about their re-release of this book as well as what the difference is between an influencer and a launch team. In this Episode You Will Know: How to launch a book. How to create a launch team. Why you need both influencers and a launch team. What an example of a launch team application looks like so you can create your own. To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog. Special thanks to Cheri for joining me this week. Join us next week as we talk about what to do with your launch team.

Dr. Jen of #BeWorthFollowing continues to share her 7 Deadly Sins to avoid on social media. She picks up with number three and goes into detail about what not to do when creating your online presence. In this episode you will know: *The rest of the 7 Deadly Sins to avoid on social media. *Why it’s not possible to separate your professional self and personal self and why those two have to be the same person. *Why it’s important to be authentic. Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our list now. And never miss an episode or blog. Special thanks to Dr. Jen for joining me this week. Until next time!

Social media is the ultimate “Hey, we’re still figuring this all out” medium. So how do you follow the rules when it feels like we are making them up as we go along. Dr. Jen of #BeWorthFollowing is going to help us navigate these tricky waters and help us understand what we should post or when should we step away from the keyboard. Dr. Jen gives us some great things to think about before the next time we write that next post or fire off that next tweet. Love the thought process behind what you want to post and what you want the world to see. Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe now. Special thanks to Dr. Jen for joining me this week. Until next time!

Let's face it, it is so hard to put your time, energy, and let's be honest, tears into social media and end up feeling like it's not even making a difference. And by the way what does “being relevant” even mean – and is it something we should even strive for? Dr. Jen of #BeWorthFollowing is going to lay it all out for us. (Have I mentioned how much I love Dr. Jen?) Here are my questions for Dr. Jen: • What does it mean to be relevant online? • How do you understand who you are actually trying to reach? • How do you navigate the changing trends of social media? So come nerd out with Dr. Jen and I as we discuss all things social media. Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe now.

Today's interview is with Angela Bouma and Roger Lipp about their top 8 favorite social media apps. They describe in detail what they are and how to use them. In today’s episode, you will learn: -about 8 social media apps. -why these apps. are useful to you and your business. -the ins and outs of how these apps. are user-friendly. -learn how to save time by using these 8 apps. I’m thrilled to have Angela and Roger on the show so you can get in on all things social media apps. today! Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: • Leave a note in the comment section below. • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show: • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. • Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe now. Special thanks to Angela and Roger for joining me this week. Until next time!

Kathi has two secret weapons when it comes to Christian communication; Angela Bouma who does all things graphic design and Roger Lipp who deals with team dynamics for a Fortune 50 Tech. company. These 3 friends sit down in today’s episode to talk about their favorite business tool: Trello. Angela and Roger explain how amazing and easy Trello is to work with and how it has changed the way they run a business. Think of it as a Pinterest board for communication among team members. In this episode you will learn: • What Trello is and how to use it. • How to make the process known to a team to create better workflow. • How to cut your email inbox in half by using Trello. I’m excited to share this favorite tool with you so let’s get started! Thanks for Listening!

Join Kathi as she talks all things tech with fab designer Angela Bouma of A. Bouma Writing and Design and tech genius Roger Lipp of Communicator Academy as they break down all the plugins you will need for your site. (In real language that writers can actually understand.) Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of plugins you “should” have for your blog. (And like Kathi, aren’t really sure what they do anyway?) Plus – if you have too many plugins it slows down your site and that is actually a HUGE problem. What’s a blogger to do? In this info-packed podcast, let Angela and Roger show you: • what plugin you actually need (and why) • how to make your blog behave the way that you want • stop feeling shame when all the other bloggers are talking plugins and you don’t understand what the heck they are talking about I’m thrilled to have two of the smartest people I know (who also are two of my favorite people) here to explain it all to us. Thanks for Listening! To share your thoughts: • Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. To help out the show. • Leave an honest review. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Special thanks to Angela and Roger for joining me this week. Until next time!

This episode is part one of our four-part “Ask the Experts” series on best practices for websites, technology, and business tools you will want to use in your speaking and writing ministry. In today’s episode, Roger Lipp and Angela Bouma join Kathi to talk about the beginning stages of a website. They go over confusing terms like host and platform, plus give you their favorite partners and solutions so you can start out of the gate with only the best. Whether you already have a website and want to do some upgrading, or you need to create a site from scratch and have no idea where to start, this episode will help you understand the not so basic, basics.

So you're writer. Now what? Is it enough to just sit down and write? Join Kathi, Michelle and Kathleen Kerr as they discuss the ins and outs of the responsibilities of the writer.

Ahhh summer time. When the pace of life is different, a little slower perhaps. As communicators much of our life winds down, we can use this time to plan ahead for the other busy months. Join Kathi and Michele as they offer the strategies they use to make the most of the slow times in business.

Hannah Brencher took a passion for communicating love to others through the media of writing letters. Like Hannah, we have each been given a passion, a drive in us to make a difference. Often we wonder if it is even possible. Join Kathi and Hannah today as they offer hope that it's not only possible it's also probable.

Do you struggle with thinking you have the time to write? It is so easy to let life distract us from writing, laundry, bills, talking about writing all can work to prevent us from just sitting down to write. How can we be more intentional about writing? Michelle and Kathi offer 4 boundaries we all need to have in place. A bonus! They all start with the letter "T".

Kathleen Kerr is back with Michelle and Kathi. They continue their talk about the ins and outs of outlining your book. You won't want to miss this week's episode! Listen in and be encouraged!

Every book needs to be outlined, whether you outline before you write or when your book is finished it must be done. If outlining your manuscript is something you struggle with, take heart and join Kathi, Michelle and editor Kathleen Kerr as Kathleen offers great tips and tricks to outlining.

If we don't tame our calendar it can and will tame us, lead us to burn out and discouragement. Kathi and Michelle have learned several tricks to taming the calendar beast and want to share with us the lessons they've learned. Join the podcast today as they talk about how they've learned to tame their calendars.

Social Media is a wonderful tool we can use to build a platform and gain followers. Dr. Jennifer Bennett joins Kathi today to talk about some simple rules we all need to follow on social media.

Sometimes we're invited to join a forum of speakers. Should we join in? This is the topic of Today's episode of the Communicator Academy podcast. Join Kathi and Michelle as they share their tips and offer encouragement.

Do you struggle to just sit down and write? We all do! Kathi and Michelle are back in this week's episode of Communicator Academy talking about this very thing! Kathi offers several very good ways to just sit down and write. Why don't you pull up a chair and join the discussion.

Burnout haunts our steps at nearly every turn it seems. Is there anything we do to avoid the pitfalls of burnout? Please join Kathi and Michelle as they offer 7 Key Questions to ask yourself so you can avoid burnout.

Join Kathi and Michelle as they discuss some important pointers and tips on how to establish healthy boundaries for speakers. If you have ever wondered what some healthy boundaries are, you won't want to miss this episode of Communicator Academy!

Does your inbox overflow with emails? Do you feel overwhelmed at the mere thought of wading through all the emails? Do you struggle to know where to begin and how to proceed? Is there any hope for an empty inbox? There is hope! Join Kathi and Michelle as they share how they have learned to tame the inbox clutter.

How do you practice self care when you're a writer? Join Michelle and Kathi as they give practical suggestions and tips to accomplish this. You will learn, you will grow, and your writing will improve.

We all struggle to know just how to adequately describe our speaking topic. Is there any hope? Kathi and Michelle say a resounding "Yes!" to that question. They have put together 3 easy steps to writing a great topic description because they've been there too! Listen in to discover for yourself the 3 Os of putting together a great description for your next talk.

We all need to start somewhere and simple. Often places new speakers are invited to speak can't afford to offer much renumeration, so what can a new speaker do? You won't want to miss this podcast. Kathi and Michele are back with another great episode. This time they are talking about how to stock a table at the back of the room. They offer 7 suggestions of items to include on your table. Join in the fun!

Join Kathi and Michelle as they give you Eight of the Best Practices for Hosting Guest Bloggers.

Join Kathi and Michelle as they continue their talk with three easy steps to turn experiences into content for your blog, podcast, books, messages etc.

There is more to a good book table than simply selling product, how do you make a profit? Can you make a profit with a book table in the back? Kathi and Michele say a resounding YES, you can! They offer 7 suggestions on how to get the most bang for your buck with your book/product table. Join them in this podcast!

In this episode of Communicator Academy Kathi Lipp and Michelle Cushatt chat about Three Strategies for Finding Illustrations for your book or speaking engagement. Join the giggles and joy as they talk about Freddy's Hamburgers mustard, and cheese.

Kathi Lipp and Michele Cushatt continue their chat on the topic of giving and receiving endorsements. They offer 3 tips for Giving an Endorsement in this episode.

Part 1

In this episode Kathi continues her chat with Cheri Gregory and Amy Carroll about the Plusses and Pitfalls of Partnerships.

Kathi Lipp invited fellow podcasters, authors and speakers Amy Carroll and Cheri Gregory to the Communicator Academy Podcast to discuss the plusses and pitfalls of partnerships. As they teamed up to create their Grit 'n Grace podcast, they learned the good, the bad and the ways to avoid the ugly. For the download we speak about, visit: http://www.communicatoracademy.com/2018/01/15/eps-70-plusses-pitfalls-partnerships-cheri-gregory-amy-carroll

Need rest, but don't know where to fit it in? Join authors and speakers Kathi Lipp and Michele Cushatt as they discuss the role that rest has in our success and longevity in ministry. Rest is not optional and not for the weak. When you pull back a little bit, the clarity about your message and your brand comes through.

Do you have a blog and want to expand your readership? Do you wish you could post on another's blog? In this episode, hosts Michele Cushatt and Kathi Lipp break down the 10 best practices for writing a guest blog post and the secrets for success. Guest posting can be such an investment of time and effort, but the benefits are high IF one approaches it correctly. You do not want to miss the opportunity to learn from two highly successful bloggers.

Travel is a vital part of a thriving speaking ministry. How does one recover from the output of energy, time, and resources spent on a speaking engagement? Jetlag is just the beginning of the drain on a communicator and hosts, Michele Cushatt and Kathi Lipp, provide insight and hope for the weary traveler. They have put thousands of hours and miles developing a post-travel recovery plan and are open to sharing with us. You do not want to miss this episode!