There is no escaping the fact that some self-published authors are more successful than others. But does it come down to luck or something more tangible?
If you know you’ve written a good book, then the power to be a success lies very much in your own hands. Yes, there are always factors that are outside of our control, but there is also a great deal that we can manage ourselves to get on that road to victory.
We’re going to pull back the curtain on the top 5 reasons why some authors are more successful than others, and share the secrets of what you need to do to become one of the best.
1. Treat It Like a Business
One of the biggest differences of all is mindset. Successful self-published authors don’t see their book as a one off creative project. No, they see it as a product.
They’re not just writers, they’re “authorpreneurs”. That means they think strategically about their audience, their brand and their long term goals. They create marketing plans, they build author platforms, and they think about return on investment with every decision they make.
When you’ve finished writing your book, if you want to be a successful indie author, then your work has only just begun.
2. Invest in Quality
As with anything in life, quality sells. That’s why it’s so important not to cut corners on editing, cover design or formatting. These should be non-negotiables when it comes to publishing.
From making sure you get your book professionally edited, to choosing an attention grabbing yet genre appropriate cover, there should be some basic absolute must-haves in your publishing journey.
Readers genuinely do judge a book by its cover. But they also judge the formatting, the font, and how it’s written. You could be the best writer in the world, but you’re too close to have an objective opinion on it. That’s why we need people around us to help us polish our projects to perfection.
3. Understand Your Readers
The best self-published authors take the time to understand exactly who they’re writing for. You need to know your niche, explore your genre tropes, and be on top of what readers expect. And then, when you’ve done all that, make sure your product stands strongly within that marketplace.
Whether it’s romance, horror or non-fiction, you need to tailor your content, branding and messaging to resonate with your target readers.
4. Build Relationships
Rather than focusing only on sales, successful authors focus on community. They build mailing lists, engage on social media and create genuine relationships with their readers.
Remember, these aren’t one time customers. Your readers are loyal fans who will leave reviews, recommend your books to other people, and they’ll eagerly await the next release. Treat them with the respect they deserve and they’ll be loyal forever.
5. Keep Learning
The publishing landscape changes fast, and the most successful authors stay on top of it. They attend webinars, follow industry news, test new marketing tactics, and they aren’t afraid of trial and error. They view every launch and campaign as a learning opportunity, and keep an open mind every step of the way.
Just because you’ve published a book, the work is far from over. Your book will now live on forever, so you’ve got to decide how hard you’re going to work to reap the rewards you deserve.
Ready for success?
At Lindie, we help aspiring authors to publish with confidence and professionalism. Whether it’s cover design, author websites or strategic marketing support, we’re here to make sure your book stands out for all the right reasons.
If you’re ready for more success, then explore our services and take the next step in your journey.
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