8 Essential Tools and Strategies for Indie Authors to Build a Successful Full-Time Career
Breaking into the world of indie publishing can be both exciting and overwhelming. To transform your passion for writing into a sustainable full-time career, you need more than just a great story, I know how rude! Here are some essential tools and strategies you can use as an indie author to thrive in today’s competitive publishing industry.
1. Author Website
Your author website is your digital home base, where readers can learn more about you and your books. It should include a blog, contact information, and links to your books. I know many of us hate bragging or writing about ourselves, but reader’s will fall in love with you and your books if they know you’re a real person. I noticed this while trying to promote my editing business, once I started sharing more of my daily life I starting making more meaningful relationships with authors.
Why It’s Essential:
Establishes your online presence
Serves as a platform for building your email list which will be important later
Provides a central hub for your marketing efforts, it’s easy to set up an IG account but it’s also so easy for IG to take it away. You want a place that is completely yours.
Recommended Platform: Squarespace or WordPress. Alternatively you can use SiteGround for hosting. I’ve used them for several years and they integrate into WordPress very well.
2. Email Marketing Service
Building an email list is crucial for direct communication with your readers. An email marketing service helps you manage your list and send out newsletters and updates.
Why It’s Essential:
Direct access to your audience
Promotes new releases and special offers
Builds a loyal reader base
Recommended Service: Mailchimp or Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
Grow, Connect, Automate, Monetize.
3. Social Media Presence
Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook help you connect with readers and other authors. Pinterest is particularly useful for driving traffic to your website and blog.
Why It’s Essential:
Increases visibility and engagement
Helps build your author brand
Drives traffic to your website and books
Recommended Focus: Instagram for visuals, Pinterest for evergreen content & website traffic. You’ll also want to create a Canva account to create your posts. They do have paid subscriptions to access more tools, but you can sign up for the free version. It’s also a good idea to invest in some good stock images. I’d suggest ShutterStock
4. Book Formatting Software
Professional formatting makes your book look polished and ready for readers. Vellum is a popular choice for indie authors, especially for eBook and print formatting. Unfortunately right now it’s only available for Mac users.
Why It’s Essential:
Ensures a professional appearance
Simplifies the publishing process
Improves reader experience
Recommended Software: Vellum (Mac only), Reedsy Book Editor (online)
Check out my blog post on why I love Vellum so much and recommend it to all my editing clients.
5. Tax Software
Ick. This is where it gets into the real adulting. Managing your finances is critical when running your own business. Tax software helps you track income and expenses, ensuring you stay on top of your tax obligations. Investing ahead of time in a software will help future you, trust me.
Why It’s Essential:
Keeps your finances organized
Simplifies tax preparation
Helps avoid costly mistakes
Recommended Software: QuickBooks, FreshBooks
6. Professional Editing Tools
Even the best writers need editors. Tools like Grammarly and ProWritingAid help you polish your manuscript before submission to a professional editor.
Why It’s Essential:
Improves the quality of your writing
Reduces the number of errors
Prepares your book for professional editing
Recommended Tools: Grammarly, ProWritingAid
7. Writing Community
If you’re on Instagram you might already have this but joining a writing community provides support, feedback, and motivation. It’s a great way to connect with other authors and learn from their experiences. We all have to support one another and not view other authors as competition. Trust me, there is always room for more books!
Why It’s Essential:
Offers valuable feedback
Provides networking opportunities
Helps you stay motivated and accountable
Recommended Communities: Scribophile, Wattpad, local writing groups, Reedsy, Instagram, Facebook groups… the list goes on and on. Start up some group chats, get a Discord going, or start participating on group boards. You can even get into some local bookclubs or volunteer at your local library. The more you immerse yourself in the community, the better.
8. Self-Publishing Platforms
Choosing the right self-publishing platform is crucial for distributing your book. Amazon KDP is the most popular, but there are other options like Draft2Digital and IngramSpark.
Why It’s Essential:
Distributes your book to a wide audience
Offers various publishing options (eBook, print)
Provides access to marketing tools
Recommended Platforms: Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark
Conclusion
Becoming a successful indie author requires more than just writing a great book. By investing in these essential tools and strategies, you can build a sustainable full-time career as an author. I believe in you! Focus on creating a strong online presence, managing your finances, and continuously engaging with your readers to grow your author brand. You can always reach out to me here on my website or on IG (@april.editorial) if you need more advice or just someone to chat with about writing & books!
xoxo
-April Editorial
