How to Build a Sustainable Author Career
- Get It Write
- Sep 9, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 12, 2023
If you’ve heard recently that the book industry is oversaturated and there’s no way to become a successful author, don’t fall for it. Becoming a successful author has never been more possible.
While, yes, there is a significant volume of books being published, avid readers are always looking for another good book. Building a sustainable author career is perfectly possible with the right writing career strategies.
Remember that not every book gets equal attention. Quality, marketing, and finding the right audience all play crucial roles in determining a book's success. If your goal is long-term writing success, here are some strategies that will get you there:
Table of Contents
Write and Publish Your Book(s)
This may sound obvious, but if you want to create a sustainable author career, you have to write your books. And you have to finish your books. And you have to publish your books.
They don’t have to be perfect, but they have to be out there--otherwise, there’s nothing to build on. Spending all your time doing yet another round of editing, perfecting your outline, or avoiding writing altogether won’t lead you to a published book.
Keep in mind that the better your content, the easier it will be to become a success…but you won’t become a successful author without first publishing your book(s). So stop delaying it.
Set Realistic Goals
One of the best writing career strategies for long-term writing success is goal setting. Get clear on your goals, write them down, and create a plan for achieving them.
For starters, what is your definition of success as an author? Is it a monetary goal, the number of books sold, or using your book to find your dream clients? Maybe it’s a certain word count or a specific number of chapters you write in a week. Maybe it’s building a community.
Write down milestones for yourself that are personal to you. Acknowledge your achievements along the way to reinforce your commitment and boost your morale. Remember to revisit your goals often and adjust them as your priorities change.
Develop a Strong Online Presence
To create long-term writing success, you want to make your books easier for readers to find. In today’s world, that means having an online presence.
You don’t have to have thousands of followers on social media apps, but you do want to show up. Create a professional author website with information about your books, bio, and contact details.
Get active on social media profiles you already use and enjoy, and engage regularly with readers and fellow authors.
Remember: there are plenty of people out there interested in your book…but you have to make it possible for them to first find your book.
Maximize Your SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Just posting to your website or uploading your book to Amazon isn’t always enough. Using relevant keywords in your blogs, book descriptions, and metadata is the best way to make your books more discoverable online.
Proper SEO strategies help position your book in front of readers who are actively searching on different platforms. Without it, your book will get lost in the sea of other content vying for reader attention.
Market Your Book Accurately
Everything about your book is a marketing opportunity that you want to approach with care. This includes the title, the subtitle, the cover art, the description, the font you choose, the first pages, and then your actual marketing campaigns like social media content, ads, and so on.
Don’t do anything by accident, but rather make strategic choices. You want to make sure that all your choices align to accurately represent your book and market it to the right reader. When done correctly, your marketing efforts will effortlessly sell your book.
Remember that different readers are attracted to different things. That means that every book you write should have a distinct marketing strategy so you can get that book in front of the type of reader who will love it.
Leverage Book Platforms
There are so many platforms out there to help you build a sustainable author career. Utilize Goodreads and Amazon Author Central to connect with readers and share updates about your books.
Remember that the more places you can garner reviews for your book, the more potential you have of being discovered by new readers.
Revisit Your Book Launch Strategy
You can’t expect to publish your book and then watch as the sales roll in. While that would be nice, it’s simply not the case (in 99.99% of occasions).
Plan a comprehensive book launch campaign with teaser content, pre-order promotions (if you’re offering a pre-order), and plenty of juicy content about your book. Prompt people to want to buy your book. Get them curious.
Remember that you can collaborate with bloggers, book reviewers, and influencers for early reviews and buzz about your book.
Embrace Rejection and Failure
Everyone wants to have a book that becomes an overnight success. We want to publish our writings and have the publishing fairies turn those pages into dollars.
Unfortunately, becoming a successful author takes resilience. Rejections are a natural part of a writer's journey. Use them as opportunities to learn and grow rather than as deterrents. Value feedback from peers and editors. Constructive criticism can guide your improvements and refine your writing style.
Remember that crafting a sustainable author career is similar to building a business. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Keep Learning
Assuming that you already know everything is the fastest way to tank your career. It also limits you to discovering new writing career strategies.
You’ve likely already heard that to be a great, successful writer, you have to read. So read widely. Reading a variety of genres and styles can inspire new ideas and approaches in your work.
It also helps to take writing courses and workshops. Participating in workshops or taking writing courses can provide fresh insights and techniques to enhance your writing skills.
Engage the Writing Community
Finding a support system will help carry you through the ups and downs of author life. Networking with people who understand what you’re going through and can give you their writing career strategies from personal experience is priceless.
Attend writing conferences, join online writing groups, and connect with fellow writers. Partner with other authors for cross-promotion or joint marketing efforts, such as co-hosting virtual events or giveaways. Collaborate with influencers, bloggers, and podcasters who align with your genre or writing style.
Remember to respond to reader comments and messages on social media, demonstrating your appreciation for their support. Consider hosting Q&A sessions, live chats, or virtual book clubs to interact directly with your audience.
Stay Consistent
We want success to happen naturally. When it doesn’t, we blame a lack of luck...when more often than not, it’s a lack of consistency. If you’re looking for fancy writing career strategies, remember that the one that consistency makes the biggest difference.
Develop a writing routine that works for you, whether it's a dedicated time each day or certain days of the week. Consistency breeds productivity. Create marketing goals for yourself and keep to them every week.
Trust that taking daily steps in the right direction and putting in consistent work (that aligns with your goals) will lead you to your desired outcome.
Becoming a successful author is within your reach. By implementing writing career strategies that align with your goals as a writer, you can build a sustainable author career and achieve long-term writing success. Stay true to your goals, remain consistent, and keep writing.
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