So you have decided that you want to be an indie author. You have a brilliant idea for a novel, perhaps you have already started writing it or have written it. Regardless, you know that you want to take this story in your own hands and see it through, beginning to end. But that’s not all
You are now the proud owner of many hats: writer, publisher, designer, editor, networker, brand ambassador, social media marketer, website designer, and many more.
In short, you are not only an indie author. You are an entrepreneur.
And the thing is, you now have to start acting like it. So here are five things that every indie author entrepreneur should know.
Time is your biggest investment
There will be shiny things out there that will catch your eye to make you more productive or to make things easier. You might think that spending more money will make things easier. But keep in mind that your time is your greatest investment.
If you do not consistently put your time in, you will not be rewarded. Good intentions will only get you so far. Get your butt in a chair and get working.
Aim high, but know your limits
You might have all these new hats to wear, but be aware that you cannot do everything. While your time is your best investment, it is very finite. Do not overextend yourself or take on more than you can.
If you think of new products you want to add to your brand, or a new way to expand, take time to plan it out and figure out when you can actually implement it. You might get excited, but it is worth taking the time to get your dream right.
You are more important than your story
This one might be hard for you to hear, especially for those who only want to write. Heck, you are a writer, what else would you do? But in an age when anyone with a computer can publish their work, you need to set yourself apart.
Establish yourself, your brand, and your personality. Make people like you as much as they like your writing, and you will establish a following that gives you a better chance at doing this writing thing, this thing you love, for a living.
You can never network too much
Gone are the days when writing was an isolated profession. Much like your brand, your network is just as important as your writing, if not more so. Your network is where your will learn the ins and outs of the indie author trade. It is where you will connect with people and create a loyal base. It is where you will actually figure out how you can market your book and sell it.
Your network will be your lifeblood, so do not discount it.
Be uncomfortable
This one will be the hardest, no matter who you are. I can’t count the number of times I have seen people tweet or post that they only write for the sake of writing, that they won’t do marketing or other ventures associated with indie authorship because they don’t find it fun or interesting. With this mentality, you will never be successful as an indie author.
To succeed as a creator, you must do things that you might not enjoy. That’s the part that makes it a job. It is your dream, but you still have to work for it. Heck, you might even find that you like some of those things that you were initially resistant towards.
Being an indie author is a complicated venture. It has its ups and downs, its own successes and hardships. But there has been no better time to be either an entrepreneur or an indie author - and this list should show you that you can’t have the latter without the former.
What other aspects of entrepreneurship have you encountered in your indie author journey? How have you overcome them? Let me know in the comments below!