How To Boost Your Author Earnings in 2020
Are you looking to earn more in the new year?
As we come to the milestone of New Year’s Day, it’s natural to reflect on where we’re at as writers.
This is especially true at the turning point of a new decade. In some ways, it feels like a clean slate. A chance to do things differently.
If you’re like most writers, boosting your earnings is on the agenda. However, the desire to earn more doesn’t automatically equip you with knowledge of how it’s done.
Here are some principles and ideas to help you receive the level of reward for your writing you truly deserve.
Set A Target Income
As with so many things in this world, when it comes to your financial goals as an author, it’s better to start with the end in mind.
This might feel a little counter-intuitive at first.
After all, most of us are taught to work as hard as we can and be grateful for what we receive.
Most of us also don’t make as much as we deserve as writers.
So let’s do this a little differently.
How much do you want to make from your writing?
Be ambitious, but also operate within the realm of reality. Think about how much authors earn, and consider your current level of earnings. Set a goal that feels ambitious but also possible.
Choosing a target writing income boosts your motivation and focuses your time and effort.
Now that you have this figure in mind, it’s time to explore practical ways to reach it.
Get More Bang From Your Book
Most books don’t perform as well as they should.
In the self-publishing era in which we live, we are responsible for so much more than just writing alone.
On the surface, it’s understandable that plenty of authors fail to take book marketing as seriously as they should. After the marathon of writing, revising, and publishing a book, marketing can seem about as appealing as pulling teeth.
In fact, not marketing your book to the fullest is inexcusable. You’re selling your efforts short. You’re also failing to blaze a trail for your fellow authors to follow.
To ensure your book gets the results it truly deserves, make marketing an integral part of your publishing process. Not something that’s left to the end, or tacked on as an afterthought.
After all, did you put in all the blood, sweat and tears needed to become an author, only to shout into the void?
If you’ve written a book worth releasing, you owe it to readers to help them get their hands on it.
Think Outside The Box
Part of your attempt to earn more as an author might involve doing more of what you’re currently doing.
If you’re releasing books that make you money, you should consider increasing your output. If you’re able to monetize content you create, that’s something to continue doing.
However, it’s important to avoid falling into the trap of blinkered thinking.
We often become blind to the many possible ways that we writers can earn money from our craft.
This is often down to two reasons. First, some people don’t stop and consider the wide range of writing-related activities that others are willing to pay for. Second, we might lack the confidence to try something different.
Try to consider the following ideas without too much self-judgment.
If you already write for money, could you add editing to your repertoire?
Could you teach or mentor others?
It’s important to stay open-minded. Whether you believe it or not, you are in possession of a million-dollar skillset.
Why not find new ways to put it to use?
Having a selection of different income-earning activities is a smart move. You give yourself a variety of things to work on, which can be refreshing after the intense grind of publishing a book. You also protect against a downturn in any particular area.
There are plenty of people waiting to exchange money for what you have to offer. It’s down to you to be proactive, seek them out, and make it happen.
Are You Ready?
If you’re reading this over the holiday season, you hopefully have some time set aside for reflection.
Use it wisely.
Throw off your self-imposed limitations and dare to dream.
As a writer, you bring joy and value to a world that desperately needs it.
It’s time to get the rewards you deserve.
You just read another exciting post from the Book Mechanic: the writer’s source for creating books that work and selling those books once they’re written.
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