How to Make the Most of #SelfPubCon23

Wondering how to make the most of #SelfPubCon23 - The 'Success Mindset for Indie Authors' Self-Publishing Advice Conference?

Perhaps you haven’t attended a virtual event before?

Here are our top tips for getting the most out of this annual online event.

1. Block out 21st & 22nd of October 2023 in your diary
Having a couple of days to work on your business (rather than in it) is a gift. So, make sure you’ve got those days blocked out in the diary, and remember that all sessions are available in replay with free access for 3 days after the conference begins!

Timings: The conference runs from 10am October 21st to 10am October 22nd (UK time). Free access ends at 10am on Tuesday 24th October. Find your local time here.

2. Add another key date to your diary
Final Day for Free Access: Ends 10am on 24th October 2023 (UK time). All sessions are freely available in replay until this date.

3. Plan your schedule! 

Take a look at our full list of speakers and sponsors on the SelfPubCon website.

Visit the agenda and note the local time for the sessions you'd like to attend (note that some sessions are live webinars, others are videos that you can tune into), or download a PDF copy here.

Keynote sessions:

• A top-flight panel from platinum sponsor, Amazon KDP on How To Cultivate a Success Mindset with Amazon KDP.
• Join gold sponsor Ingram Spark as they delve into why Mindset Matters: Unlocking Indie Author Success with Ingram Spark.
• In our biggest ever #SelfPubCon panel, join 11 best-selling indie authors from around the world as they show what makes marketing a positive activity for them in The Marketing Forever Mindset, kindly sponsored by silver sponsor, 1106 Design
• Silver sponsor, Gatekeeper Press will be hosting a live product demonstration and Q&A in our new networking space (TBA) for all attendees.
• Bronze sponsor Publish Drive takes you through the steps needed to Develop A Scaling Mindset: How Efficiency Generates Success.
• Discover how to reach a world of readers, no matter where you write from, with this panel on Developing A Global Mindset, sponsored by bronze sponsor, Bowker. 
• Join Crystal Swain-Bates as she shows you How an Inclusive Mindset Can Grow Your Readership, sponsored by bronze sponsor, Journey to Kidlit.
• In Cultivating A Collaboration Mindset, session sponsor Reedsy explore the power of author community.

4. Do your research and come prepared!

Take some time now, before the conference begins, to identify any mindset blocks and hurdles you might be facing in your indie author business, and choose your sessions to match.

You can also find out more about many of our speakers by visiting our Speaker Bookstore.

5. Connect with speakers, sponsors and other attendees in our NEW networking space!

This year, we're very excited to launch a brand-new networking space, powered by Mighty Networks, for all #SelfPubCon23 attendees to connect, ask questions, take part in live Q&A's and more.

Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming post with full details of how to join and make the most of SelfPubConnect!

You can also find us on social media using our hashtag #SelfPubCon23 - it's a great way to find and stay in touch with speakers, sponsors, and other attendees. Start using it now and help us build the buzz!

Plus, create your own shareable #SelfPubCon2023 images with our Canva Templates. Let people know you're attending.

6. Stock up on essentials
Grab your snacks, stationery, and remember to print your session workbooks, if provided, before getting started.

7. Test your tech
Check your internet speed!

• Close down other devices – and get the family to stay off theirs.
• Close down apps – Close down as many apps running in the background. If you have apps running in the background, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, these can use up bandwidth and slow down your computer.

8. Schedule time for follow up
It’s easy to leave a conference full of brilliant ideas – that’s what events are all about. Sadly, it’s just as easy to get bogged down the minute you get back to your desk, forget everything you’ve learned and not follow up on the opportunities you’ve created.

Make sure this doesn't happen to you by blocking out a few hours to reflect on what you’ve learned and follow up on the connections you’ve made.

9. Don’t be a wallflower
Join in with the conversation! Head to our Facebook event page, Twitter feed or join us in SelfPubConnect – the socialising is where the best conversations happen!

Keep an eye out for speaker Q&A's and ask your burning questions while you can.

Ask for help if you need it - we'll be monitoring social media channels, emails, and the new forum on the day, so do get in touch if you need help!

10. Make money from attending
Sign up as an affiliate and earn 50% of any all-access pass you sell.

11. Grab your giveaways

Some of our sessions include downloadable workbooks to help embed your learning, as well as giveaways and competitions. Be sure to check your session pages and sponsor pages to download your freebies, and visit the giveaways page to be in with the chance to win lots of great prizes!

We hope you enjoy all that the 2023 Success Mindset for Indie Authors Conference (#SelfPubCon23) has to offer!