Author + Entrepreneur = Authorpreneur
^— Look at that! Writer math! Your algebra teacher was right. Everyone needs math, including an authorpreneur.
What is an authorpreneur and why should I care?
An authorpreneur is a writer who works hard to market their books and creates a personal brand. They are people who make a plan and have decided to be an active participant in the business of self-promotion. It is their author brand.
1. You MUST be Your Biggest Fan
Your mother doesn’t count. Well, she does and she is probably your biggest fan. But she doesn’t know how to market your books. You do need a great support system and personal cheerleaders. But, you are the only one that knows your brand, your voice, and what you need to become great!
I find myself wanting to rely on others. But it’s not their responsibility to get me motivated, to interact with my readers, to do my advertising, or to remind me to do x, y, z and a million other things. Unless they have a personal stake in your success, ie. you’re paying them or your goons are going to break their kneecaps if they don’t help you become a success, then they will pale against the passion you have for your work. It’s you and only you. Lonely ol’ you. And that is the way it should be. You ARE your greatest fan (after your mother, of course). You know everything about your work, you’re the person most passionate about your stories, and you inherently know what to do. You can do it. I believe in you. You believe in you. Now get out there and do it!
2. Act Like an Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs have, wait for it…A PLAN! Business plans are central to any business. Why not an author’s business? Creating a marketing strategy can seem daunting but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are authors out there that have done it successfully. And you know what? They are not shy about letting everyone know how they do it. Here at The Novelist Game Plan, it is central to our podcast interviews. Authors want to share with each other. You know it’s true. When you find something that works you shout it from the rooftops!
If you are a writer who plots, you’re not new to creating a plan of attack and executing it. On the other hand, if you’re a pantser, planning might be a bit harder for you to wrap your mind around. Don’t be afraid. Planning is not the villain of your personal story. It’s your sidekick!
3. Drive | Passion | Tenacity
You were passionate enough to finish writing your book. You had fun choosing a cover. Now you have to turn your determination and drive toward getting the published manuscript into peoples hands. Next, you have to get them to want to buy your next book. Then the next, and so on, and so on.
There are thousands and thousands of authors hustling to get people to buy their book. At times, it will feel like pushing a river of molasses up a winding road without a guardrail using a pitchfork. So, you have to decide early on if it’s worth it? Do you really want it? Are you passionate about your work? Do your stories deserve to be read by the masses? They do! That story was inside of you. You worked hard to get it out! It needs to be read and loved by others. You’ve come this far. I know you can do it. You just have to believe in yourself.
Conclusion
An author might hit it big and be able to quit their day job. Unfortunately for the vast majority, writing will stay a nice, fun hobby or side income.
An authorpreneur has the drive and desire to make writing their full-time profession. They don’t dream it; they do it.
Tell me in the comments or connect with me using #AuthorPlan on social media: Where are you on the path to becoming an authorpreneur?
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