In the marketing arena, one of the messages conveyed is that unless you're a major author with a tremendous amount of sales, you will not get rich from writing books. You may not even be able to make a living.
But, you should still strive to get published because it does open some doors and allows for alternative means of income.
How does an author create a living out of writing?
Well, whether you're in the process of writing a book, in the process of having a book published, or your book is already available for sale, there are a few strategies writers can use to supplement their income, or create a living from writing:
1. Create e-books and offer them for sale.
If you're a fiction writer, write about elements of writing, the process, the writing elements, the pit falls, the publishing process, your marketing strategies, and so on.
Write what you know, if you want to take the easy path. Or, you can research topics you're interested in, or that are known to be money-makers, or other.
2. If you have interests other than the fiction you write, capitalize on them also.
Maybe, you're a great cook, write about cooking. If you have an interest in health, do the research and write about it
For steps 1 and 2, it's easy to create a PDF with images and a cover. You can offer them on your site, or through services such as Kindle, Lulu.com and Smashwords.com.
If you're willing to invest in a Clickbank or JVZoo account, or another of these types of services, you can find affiliates to help you sell your e-books and/or spin off products.
3. Don't forget this ONE essential strategy that all writers/authors should utilize: Magazine articles.
Write articles, research appropriate magazines, and submit, submit, submit. If you don't submit your work, you will not get published. Writing credits create credibility and authority. This helps you sell what you’re offering.
And, as stated above, being published does matter; it opens up doors and opportunities that may not otherwise be open.
4. If you're writing nonfiction, think spin-offs. You can create podcasts, videos, and other formats of your work and sell them right off your website.
5. Look into selling through catalogues and stores.
You’ll have to do your research and possible contact some companies, but it's a viable option for selling your books.
To start, you can check out these sites:
https://www.amazon.com/Catalog-Catalogs-Complete-Mail-order-Directory/dp/093314959X
http://www.basbleu.com/info/about.hzml
http://booksnthingswarehouse.com/mailordercatalog.aspx
You can also contact the managers or purchasing agents for stores like Target, Cosco, and Walmart.
6. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, seek out corporations or businesses that may be interested in your topic.
For example: I wrote a bed time story - I could look into children's stores (furniture, clothing, toys, etc.) to see if they'd be interested in buying in bulk to offer the book to their clients for sale or as giveaways.
7. If you're published, offer teleclasses, online classes, DIY courses, or coaching. This is one of those opportunities that will work better if you're published.
8. Promote, Promote, Promote!
Writing isn’t enough, you’ve got to do the marketing to generate visibility and bring traffic to your website.
Wrapping it Up
These are just some of the strategies you can use to generate income from your book writing.
Tip: Remember to be focused and research your target market.
Karen Cioffi is an award-winning author, ghostwriter, and author/writer online platform instructor. .
You can check out Karen’s e-classes through WOW! Women on Writing at:
http://www.articlewritingdoctor.com/content-marketing-tools/
Revised Reprint from 2010.
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2 comments:
I have often feel that my multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers has drawn the thunder from my poetry and fiction. It certainly has taken up my writing time and my marketing time for my other loves. Nevertheless, I am glad that I wrote them. I believe that the pleasure I received from helping other authors matches the pleasure I get from writing creatively. And though, even after years I am still not sure that the how to books help the sales of my other writing, I am not sorry. Therefore, it was nice to see you encourage others to use other income streams and other talents in their publishing careers.
Carolyn, that is a dilemma writers often face - you're not alone. I think writers who want or need to make money from their writing often make these decisions. I know I have.
But, as you say, knowing you're helping other writers move forward in their writing careers or fulfill a dream does bring a sense of pleasure and accomplishment.
For 2017 though, I'm making it a priority to write my own fiction, even if it's 15 minutes a day.
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