How Authors Can Earn More Money!

Author Advice
Written By Mikael Carlson

Writing is a labor of love. If you are thinking about writing a book, have written one, or are looking to make more from the novels you have written, here are a few things to keep in mind to increase your sales and, ultimately, your revenue. Before you read this, know that there is no silver bullet that will catapult you to the bestsellers list. Many of the points below are common sense…which is, of course, uncommon. These are all ingredients in the recipe and are largely what successful authors do to increase their sales and the income they provide.

1. Publish More Books

This is as straightforward as it gets. Readers fall in love with books for many reasons, and one of them is often an author’s writing style. Whether it’s how a plot is woven or the prose itself, there is a reason why many devout readers have a stable of favorite authors. That’s not to say you can’t make a lot of money with just one book. It has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future. However, for the majority of authors, writing more books increases the number of works being sold while also influencing the Amazon algorithm. If your goal is to get your novel recommended to more prospective readers in the world’s largest bookstore, publishing regularly helps achieve that end.

2. Write A Series

Readers love certain characters. There is a reason why Lee Child’s Jack Reacher has more than twenty novels, two movies, and multiple series on Prime. Kids wanted to see how Harry Potter’s and Katniss Everdeen’s journeys ended. Publishing a series is often more lucrative than writing a standalone novel and calling it a day. First, readers already know who you are, who your characters are, and how you write. The chances of them making another purchase of something you wrote are significantly higher. As a book series progresses, readers become more immersed and eager for the next installment. That also leads to word-of-mouth marketing to friends, which leads to even more sales.

3. Offer Multiple Formats

Readers have strong opinions about formats. Some people like turning pages and wouldn’t ever own an e-reader. Other like the convenience of having a dozen books loaded on a Kindle, while there is a growing number of devout audiobook listeners out there. At a minimum, your book should be available in paperback and eBook formats. Hardcovers make sense in certain genres, and you should strongly consider audiobooks if your budget allows for it.

4. Enter Book Award Contests

Some authors and industry experts will find this one controversial, and I get it. There are dozens of contests out there pledging to make you an “award-winning author.” I have entered and won a bunch of them. Does that mean it will directly lead to sales? Maybe some, but likely not a huge number. What it does give you is social proof. With over a million books to choose from, readers have a lot of options. Even if you have a great hook and brilliant description, readers want whatever assurance they can get that their purchase will be worth the money. Reviews are a huge factor, but book awards help with that as well. The smart play is to focus on larger, more established ones if you are on a budget. Don’t expect miracles, but the “award-winning” title does lend credence to your work.

5. Market, Market, Market

There are dozens of ways to market a book, and there are hundreds of web pages giving authors advice on what works and what doesn’t. I’m not going to waste electrons by rehashing them here. The moral of the story is that all authors need to market themselves, even if a small press like Warrington Publishing or a big-five publisher contracts them. Creating a brand is important (like my Politics as UNusual). Being on social media is important. Engaging readers is important. However you market your novels, it is something you should be doing every day. The more you get your novel in front of readers, the more sales you’ll have.

 6. Start a Newsletter

Full disclaimer: I was never a fan of this. I didn’t see the point of spending money on a newsletter service like MailChimp or MailerLite. Why would readers even sign up for this? I WAS WRONG. Dead wrong. Newsletters may be an author’s most important and potent marketing tool. It helps develop a loyal reader base and keeps them informed on upcoming releases, news, and events. You can also provide insights into their favorite characters, allow them to ask questions, and engage with you. Reader acquisition is any author’s greatest challenge. Having a newsletter helps build a base that you can continuously expand. Please don’t make the same mistake I did and wait to start one.

 7. Be Willing to Invest Time and Money

If you were told that writing is a get-rich-quick scheme that requires minimal effort, someone lied to you. Big earners devote significant time to their craft, both in writing and marketing. You’ve heard the adage, “It takes money to make money.” That is true. It’s also true that to make more, you need to invest more of yourself. That isn’t possible for many authors - they have jobs, families, and a house that all compete for attention and precious minutes.

Mikael Carlson
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