Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business: Ways to Achieve Financial Literary Success

By Joylynn M. Ross

There's literary success and there's financial literary success . . . and you can have them both!

Do you want to make money with your book? Do you want to make a living as an author? There's more to doing so than simply

• Language: English
• Publisher: End of the Rainbow Projects
• Release date: Nov 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005932206

Book preview

Act Like an Author,

Think Like a Business

Ways to Achieve Financial Literary Success

Joylynn M. Ross

National Bestselling Author

Copyright © 2019 by Joylynn M. Ross

All rights reserved. Except as provided by the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to End of the Rainbow Projects, Inc., 9850 South Maryland Pkwy., Ste. A-5 #570, Las Vegas, NV 89183.

Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business / Joylynn M. Ross

1. Non-Fiction-Book Publishing Reference

2. Non-Fiction-Writing Skills Reference

3. Non-Fiction-Authorship

4. Non-Fiction-Business Writing Skills

Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the Library of Congress

Interior and Exterior Design by LKJ Books

Created in the United States of America

11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

First Edition

This is an informational resource and is not intended as a substitute for legal or other professional services. Readers are urged to consult a variety of sources and educate themselves about the business of writing, publishing, and marketing. Every effort has been made to make this book accurate.

The information expressed herein is the opinion of the author, and is not intended to reflect upon any particular person or company. The author and publisher shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, by the information or application of the information contained in this book.

Some links and resources in this book are affiliate links, meaning that the author and/or her affiliates receive a commission on sales of other companies’ products.

Neither the author or publisher guarantees the outcome (monetary or otherwise) of following the recommendations/ suggestions provided, and any statements made regarding the potential outcome are expressions of opinion and personal experiences only. We make no guarantees about the information, suggestions, and recommendations provided herein. By utilizing the information and resources supplied in this informational resource, you acknowledge that we cannot guarantee any particular results, as such outcomes are based on subjective factors that are not within our control.

Testimonials

I thought I knew the direction I was going as a writer and publisher. Well, after working with Joylynn, I realized not only was I lacking in my ability to monetize my books, but that if I couldn’t do it for myself as an author, and if I wasn’t able to understand the difference between publishing a book and being on a journey that will result in building a literary empire, I wouldn’t be able to, as a publisher, help my clients do it. But today, I have put everything I learned from Joylynn into practice, and all parties involved are on their way to literary success!—Norma McLauchlin, CEO & Founder of Chosen Pen Publishing

"Attending the ‘Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business’ Conference caused me to see writing in an entirely different light. I’ve implemented many of the suggestions Joylynn, the main instructor, made, and I’ve been really pleased with the results."—Sheryl Green, author of Surviving to Thriving

Because of the strategies and techniques Joylynn provided me, I now have the tools and information necessary to run my writing career like a business and utilize my platform to help others soar.—Stephanie Bridges, Founder and Publisher of In Spirit Power and Truth Publishing, LLC

In her teachings, Joylynn focuses not only on writing, nor on seeking out agents or publishers, but instead on the business of writing. I filled several notebooks with revelations about the business of writing that I had not found or figured out in nearly four decades of writing and publishing books. Joylynn’s insights, tips and—yes, secrets—are incredible.—Ned Barnett, CEO of Barnett Marketing Communications, Barnett Literary Agency, author of 38 published books

Joylynn is fierce, dedicated to her craft, and an excellent mentor.—Denise Edwards, Author and Playwright

Thanks to the Literary Chauffeur, Joylynn M. Ross, for the wealth of knowledge I received at the ‘Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business’ annual conference. It was one of the best investments I’ve made.—LaChelle Weaver

"My mission and my passion is to teach authors how to build great and strong-standing books, successful book businesses, and multiple streams of income to sustain their book businesses.

I’m not re-inventing the wheel to do so. I’m simply rolling with the one that already exists.

Who’s rolling with me?"

—Joylynn M. Ross, also writing as

BLESSEDselling Author E. N. Joy

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part 1: Marketing

Make Money Before Your Book is Written

Do Your Market Research

Handle Your Business

Holiday Marketing

Have a Book Party

Don’t Order a Big Mac at Burger King

Talk is Cheap...or Not

Do Something Every Day

Connect with Your Competitors

Know Your Virtual Real Estate Has Value

Nurture Your Email List

Don’t Place All Your Books in One Basket

Follow (Up) Your Fortune

No Experience Required

Tell Your Story Through Video

Don’t Follow Bad Advice

Cash and Carry

Get in Position

Bottle It Up and Sell It

Clean Up Your House

Hit up PTA’s and PTO’s

Win New Readers with Contests and Competitions

Put Out Great Content...and Not Just in Your Books

Small Money Can Lead to Big Opportunities

Listen Up

And the Grammy Goes to...

Bare it All

Did Your Pre-Order Campaign Pay Off

Books or Burritos

Plan to Make Money from Your Book

Know What Kind of Speaker You Are

Make Your Packages Stand Out

Whatchu Talkin’ ‘Bout, Willis

Market Your Books to Grown-Ups

Make a Book Part of Your Business

Pick My Brain

The Dreaded B-Word

Don’t Wait for Your Book to Get Ready

Sell the Story

Let Your Voice Do the Selling

Lights, Camera, Let’s See You in Action

Flaws, Drawls, and All

Act Like More Than an Author

Limit Free Speaking Engagements

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Followers

Create a YouTube Channel

Part 2: Publicity

Stop Trying to Reach Readers One Book at a Time

Don’t Just Be Good at Something, Master It

Be About Your Business

Be Two Places at One Time

Don’t Be a Best Kept Secret

Just Pitch the Book

Make Every Event Your Own

Answer Questions Publicly

Two Authors are Better Than One

Build Your Book and Book Business with Other People’s Money

Who Wants a Free Book

Don’t Misuse Business Contacts (or their business cards)

Part 3: Rights

Turn Your Book into a Business

Get on the Red Carpet

Know Your (Public Lending) Rights

Did Uncle Sam Cut You Off

Part 4: Publishing

Publish Multiple Formats

Leave Some Things Untold

Get Pre-and Post-Publication Book Reviews

Put Your Money Where Your Mind Is

Make Your Publishing Success as Important as Your Writing Success

Se mѐt afѐ kokipe afѐ

Part 5: Sales

All it Takes is One Book

Join Professional Organizations

Don’t Get Desperate

Get Paid to Influence

Create a 99 Cents Menu

Price Your Services & Products

Monetize Author Interviews

Get a Gazillion Customers

Get Your Money from Uncle Sam

Sell Your Book on Your Website

Stop Begging

Don’t Block Your Blessings (or Your Book Sales)

Oil Your Machine

Sell Your Books on Multiple Platforms

Don’t Waste Time Autographing Books

Declare Your Financial Independence

What Doesn’t Make Sense (Cents) Must Go

Turn Resources into Financial Resources

Don’t Leave Money on the Table

Readers Aren’t Your Only Customers

Make Reviews Other Than Book Reviews Pay Off

Flip Your Blog

Do Holiday Promotions Year ‘Round

Sell Gift Cards

Eat the Fees and Make the Sale

Allow Book Sales to Follow

Make the Price Right

LYFT Your Book Sales

Get Paid by Non-Profits

Personal Inventory

Drop YOUR Link

Ask Event Organizers Questions

Part 6: Author Tasks (Job Description)

Work Hard

Know Your Whys

Commit

Operate Your Business in Excellence…Even When No One is Watching

Make Social Media Followers Your Customers

Become An Author…Even If You’re Not A Writer

Value Your ‘No’

Control Your Entrepreneurial Spirit

Make Money Without Writing a Full-Length Book

Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner

Make Other People’s Business Your Business

Choose Your Friends Wisely

Change Your Mindset and Change Your Language

Be a True Expert

Make Time to Write and Be Creative

Don’t Wait for Inspiration

Work for Other People

Stop Telling People How Great Your Book Is

Your Book Should Be a Movie

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Work Hard…er

Get Help Building Your Business

Give Up Your Wants to Get What You Need

Read More

Get Paid to Stay…and Write

Don’t Get Too Comfortable

Tell Your Story

Customer Service is Key

Lay the Bricks to Your Empire with Your Children

Read the Fine Print

Downsize Your Lifestyle

Teach What You Know

Start Consulting…For a Fee Instead of for Free

Do it Over

Membership Writing Facility

Be Genuine

Use a Lay-A-Way Plan

Branding; the Other B-Word

Don’t Make These 10 Mistakes

Invest in Your Book Business

Don’t Get Discouraged

Put a Value on Wasted Time

Don’t Throw in the Towel

Introduction

"Art and profit are not at odds as much as people think."

—Alison Tedford, Freelance Writer

Don’t get into the business of writing for money; do it for the love of writing.

Blah, blah, blah!

Once upon a time, that was my advice to authors; probably because that was the advice given to me more times than I can count. I will say, though, that if I had a dime for every time I was told that, I’d be so wealthy I probably would be writing only for the love of it. But then again, why I write has nothing to do with money—why most writers and authors write have nothing to do with money (with the exception of writing professionals like copywriters, of course). When it comes to money, the question would be why we sell books, not why we write them. But all too often, authors confuse why they write with why they publish and why they sell their work. Somehow, they manage, with their answers, to circle back to money.

Regardless, it’s okay to write because you love to write, but it’s also okay to write because you have some amazing things to share and you want to get paid for your information, for your intellectual property. If the only people who wrote books were the people who love writing, the world would miss out on so much!

There are authors who absolutely detest the writing process. But that’s okay, because you don’t have to love writing to write, publish, or sell your work. Even if you are one of those people who have proclaimed that you have a story or message to share, but you are not a writer, you can still achieve literary and financial literary success by becoming a published author. There are resources and literary industry professionals such as book coaches, editors, and ghostwriters, who can help you craft your message.

We also have to keep in mind that there is writing, and then there is the business of writing. When you decide to put a price tag on your writing—when you decide to engage in financial transactions in exchange for your written words—baby, you’re in business! And who goes into business not to make money? So, if you don’t want your art of writing to be mixed and mingled with money, then write for free. Blog your thoughts, ideas, stories, and content. But if you have a message that you truly want to move to the masses, then publishing (which is a business) is a must. And so, we find ourselves back to the whole money situation again, because, guess what? It cost money to move a message to the masses. It cost money to hire the literary industry professionals needed to polish and publish your book like a pro, regardless of which path to publication you choose.

Whether your intentions are to self-publish, publish through a publishing house, or seek literary representation, you must produce a polished, publishable piece of work, which will more than likely require the use of literary industry professionals and resources.

You can’t make a living as a writer. It’s only something you can do on the side, so keep your day job.

Yep, that’s another piece of advice I found myself regurgitating into other writers’ and authors’ ears. But then one day I woke up and realized that I, in fact, was making a living as a writer, and that I, in fact, was operating on the business side of writing to make money. Writing, publishing, and selling books had been things I loved and found great joy and passion in. They were things I wanted to do all day every day. And if that were to be the case, I needed to figure out how to earn money while doing it, because my mortgage company didn’t take love, joy, and passion as methods of payments. And so I had figured it out...and I was doing it...quite successfully, might I add. So who on God’s green earth was I to tell anyone else they couldn’t do it too?

I literally jumped out of bed, got on my knees, and repented for being the crusher of any writer’s or author’s dreams I’d fed those discouraging words to. I looked back over the years at all those who had given me that advice. Some of those people are now making a living as a writer. Heck, some of them were even making a living writing at the time they told me I couldn’t. Then, sadly enough, there are those still going around telling writers and authors they can’t make a living with their written words. Well, I’m here to reverse that verbal curse that was ever bestowed upon any writer or author.

Stop allowing people to tell you that you can’t make a living as a writer simply because they couldn’t figure out how to do it. I figured it out, and I teach other writers and authors every day how to do it. My mission, purpose, and passion is to remind writers and authors that their intellectual property is priceless, and it’s okay to put a price tag on it. But it’s important to know that before you plan to make a living as a writer, you must determine/define what making a living is to YOU.

Making a living could mean a nice apartment in Kentucky to one person, while it means living in a five-level split, single-family home in the burbs to the next. Most authors who are making a living as a writer are doing more than living off book sales and royalties. So, if you are that author whose only literary income is book sales and royalties, now is the time to ask yourself, What else can I do, utilizing my role and title as an author, to bring in income that will enable me to make a living as a writer? Keep in mind, since the goal is making a living as a writer, it should complement and be cohesive with your brand in the literary industry, but at the same time, maximize, optimize, and monetize your role as an author.

Whatever making a living as a writer is for you, be intentional in your efforts to achieve it. If you aren’t willing to put forth the effort, then you might as well put this book down now. This is a resource for writers and authors that includes multiple ways to achieve financial literary success in making a living as a writer, but it won’t work for you unless