Let's take a look at some steps to help you turn your writing into a real business.
Start Publishing Regularly
This is when your writing stops being a hobby and starts being a serious business that needs a lot of work.
One of the best ways to do this is to start your own blog, if you haven't done so already. You may also want to look into writing your first book and getting that published.
Blogging professionally requires a lot of time and patience, and it may help to start setting yourself deadlines for both your blog posts as book publishing. By setting a date for publishing will give you the push you need to get things done.
Once you get past the initial steps of seeing your thoughts on paper or webpage the sky's the limit.
By keeping up with your publishing schedule you'll prove to yourself that you can write, and you'll start getting feedback from people telling you exactly what they think about your blog.
What is Your Definition of Success
If you're not sure what your main focus will be, start looking at people you really admire and ask yourself if that is what you want?
Look for the people who've already garnered success in your field. There are plenty of writer's out there with different stories and goals, you won't have a problem looking for the right fit.
Create Something Then Sell It
This doesn't have to be a book, it could be an ebook, a course, or even your own consultancy or service. You need to prove to yourself that you can sell your skills as a writer. The first few dollars you make will demonstrate to you there is money to be made.
Again set yourself a deadline for each job or book you write, and start stretching yourself, and see where it takes you.
Start Expanding the Amount of Books or Products You're Selling
If you've already sold some books, write some more, until you have your own library of books written by you.
You may want to start adding new income streams into the mix, such as affiliate marketing, or other products such as courses or audio products to boost your income.
A Little Added Extra
How Professional Authors Make Money
Strategy is key to increasing your earnings as a writer, and for many writers earning a decent income is the main aim of the game.
We're going to focus on three main points:
- Writing
- Packaging your book
- Marketing your book
Writing
The more you write the more you earn
Makes sense doesn't it. The authors who have more books in their catalogue will end up earning more than those with only a few books to their name.
How you can earn more through your books
- Publish more books.
- Keep setting yourself a goal, then another and another.
- Learn to recognise that all of the books you publish go towards your earnings as an author.
You just need to keep writing.
Consistent time writing equals a higher author income
Whatever you put into it you'll get out of it. So if you can only spare a few hours a week, it's going to take you a long time before you start seeing any real income.
What should be doing to create more time
- Cultivate your writing.
- Look at your writing the same way you would any job you do.
- Produce a writing schedule and stay with it.
The more you write the better writer you'll become. Writing takes time to master, and doesn't just happen overnight. You'll have all kinds of comments good and bad from people you don't even know, but don't let that put you off. You'll never please everybody, but you will start to build an audience of readers who like what you do. And those are the people you want to encourage back to your work.
Packaging your book
When you can afford to start investing in a professional editor. You'll find that most high earning authors do this because it allows them the opportunity to earn more. It only makes sense that a well-edited book will gain better results than that of a poorly edited one.
How you can get your books professionally edited
- Look out for a professional editor within your price range with good reviews.
- Look at professional editing as a good investment.
- Be ready to spend between $250 and $500 per book edited.
Find a professional book cover designer
This is a huge factor in the commercial success of a book, alongside editing, your book cover is an asset. A poor book cover won't sell many books, but a great cover will have a massive impact on your readers and earnings.
How to get a high impact book cover
- Find a professional to design your book cover.
- Look to spend between $200-$300 per book cover.
- Make sure your book cover matches up with the genre.
Marketing your book
Amazon is the best place to sell your book. New authors aim to sell their books from Amazon because it's the highest seller of books online.
And you don't need to be exclusive through KDP to earn the big bucks.
With KDP Select you can earn straight away through KENP reads.
How to earn using Amazon
- Use Amazon exclusivity for as long as you need to, then start spreading your wings when your books really take off.
- Reevaluate your exclusivity with KDP about every three to six months.
- Most of all, keep writing.
The Free Ebook on Amazon
This is an efficient tool to introduce your writing to new readers. By giving your ebook away for free you're opening the door to new readers, and possibly new purchases of your paperbacks as well as KENP reads through Kindle.
The more work you have published the more people will find your writing.
How to use marketing to sell more books
- Look at other books in your genre and see how they are priced.
- Don't price your books too high.
- Run free book promotions on all of your books to encourage book sales.
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