So, you feel that your author career has come up short. Firstly, allow me to reassure you that plenty of writers have been where you are, including many of the greats. Although it can feel deeply personal to experience disappointment in this line of work, you cannot allow this feeling to overshadow your achievements and still-standing potential. Where would any of your role models be if they had given up on their dreams–especially after making such significant strides in the right direction?
Whether you recently released your debut novel or are a seasoned author attempting to relaunch your once-celebrated career, I have good news for you! You have options when it comes to refreshing your profession. Taking these actionable steps will help increase your sales, expand your reach, and restore the appreciation your work deserves.
Are you ready to reawaken your audience and revive your dead author career?
Find a Co-Author for Your Next Book
Author partnerships are a great way to join two audiences, but beyond that initial plus, it can also mean sharing other opportunities. For example, two authors with complementary styles of writing may find it mutually beneficial to co-promote, provide symbiotic feedback, share email lists, or just generally serve as a support system for one another with words of advice and encouragement.
If you don’t already have an author partner in mind, you can do the following: reach out to your publisher or literary agent, use social media to connect with other you know and those you don’t, shuffle through online writing forums that fit your specialty genre, join writing groups, or attend local events to meet more authors.
Schedule Promotional Events
Is there a local bookstore near you looking to maximize their events calendar next month with an author signing or Q&A? Can you schedule a book giveaway and require people to follow you and engage with your social media in the process? Are there any organizations willing to partner with you and promote your titles and your author brand?
There are endless options to promote your book in today’s world. Use tried and true methods, think outside the box, and get your titles out there!
Revamp Your Social Media Platforms
Although there are many ways to promote your author brand and sell your books, social media has evolved over the years into an undeniable form of promotion–and even a direct source of sales. Nowadays, it is essential to have attractive social profiles, interesting and unique content, and aesthetically pleasing indirect advertising for your books.
If your social media platforms need some housekeeping or creative reimagining, consider revamping them with a Book Launch Social Media Content Calendar or General Author Social Media Content Calendar. Alternatively, you could hire a professional to assist with upgrading your socials and even curating content that is sure to attract readers.
Overhaul Your Email Campaign
Copy tone and voice is so crucial nowadays to any email newsletter or campaign. Think about how many emails you receive in a given day. Which ones get you to open them? What is different about them? Perhaps they use an emoji and a natural call to action in the subject line. Maybe you’ve noticed one subscription that has made an excellent aesthetic shift and written shorter copy to capture and keep your attention.
Take a look at your emails to readers and reconsider how you communicate with them!
Publish Under a New Genre
Whether you have published books in multiple genres or have stuck steadfastly to one throughout your career, now may be the time to shift. If you feel your writing style might suit another genre with a more involved or dedicated audience, try your hand at new works in this category! The wrong genre could very well be the thing holding you back as an author.
Update Backlist Titles Marketing Tactics
Maybe you have titles released 10 years ago, when social media wasn’t as as developed and trends like #BookTok didn’t exist. Now may be the time to update the ways you market your backlist titles. There are countless ways to reach your audience and reinvigorate their love of your work–both online and in person.
If marketing is not your area of expertise, consider curating a new Book Marketing Plan With Ideas and Template or consulting a professional.
Produce and Distribute Audiobooks
Audiobooks are very popular among people who love to multitask or prefer listening to a story rather than holding a Kindle or physical copy. As an author, you can jumpstart the audiobook process for any title. You could fund the entire production yourself to have more complete control and receive more revenue, or you can create them through audiobook services and publisher platforms, such as ACX or Findaway.
Publish Under an Alias Name
Continually keep all of the above in practice as you work on your next book to ensure successful book launch campaigns and regular sales. This way, you’re preventing marketing and promotional mistakes before they can happen. Additionally, you’re keeping your books in the conversation and keeping your audience excited about your projects!
Remember that Being an Author Often Equates to Running a Business
Okay, maybe it’s a two-man business if you have an agent involved! However, although your agent can be a great source of information, comfort, and assistance, authors often have to take steps themselves to polish or revive their professional opportunities. Never forget that the work doesn’t end when you publish a book.
Our advice? Take action before, during, and after the publishing process. Remember why you became an author in the first place. Run your author career like a small business, and you’ll accomplish whatever success means to you!
