Building a successful indie fiction career is a lot like building any other business—it’s a process. And regardless of how amazing your book is, your income as an author comes down to one thing: sales.
Once you understand and implement the indie author sales cycle, you’ll be able to grow your reader base and create consistent book sales.
Here’s a breakdown of the six steps to help you sell more books and build a sustainable author career.
Step 1: Identify Your Ideal Readers
In the business world, they’re called “prospects.” For indie authors, this means your ideal readers. Who are the people most likely to love and buy your books? Are they fans of thrillers, epic fantasy, romance, or historical fiction? Are they young adults, cozy mystery enthusiasts, or sci-fi buffs?
Nailing down who your ideal reader is will make everything else easier. Start broad if you’re not sure, but as you publish more books, learn more about your readers as you gather reviews and feedback, narrow your focus. The clearer you are about your audience, the easier it will be to market your books effectively and drive sales.
Step 2: Invite Readers Into Your World
Once you know who your readers are, even broadly, it’s time to invite them into your world by offering a reader magnet—something free and enticing, like a prequel novella, an exclusive short story, or a sneak peek at your latest book.
In exchange for this freebie, ask for their email address. You’re building a direct line of communication with potential readers, which is far more powerful than relying on social media algorithms. Your goal is to grow your email list so you can keep readers engaged and eager for your next book.
Step 3: Keep in Touch Regularly
Once readers have joined your email list, you’ll want to engage with them. Marketing experts say that it can take 5–12 touchpoints before someone is ready to make a purchase. This applies to book buyers too and that’s why sending regular newsletters is so important—it keeps you on their radar.
Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, use your emails to share updates, behind-the-scenes insights, or snippets of your upcoming work. This way, when you’re ready to release a new book, your readers are primed and excited to buy.
Step 4: Make Offers to Sell Your Books
Engaging with readers through your newsletter is great, but to actually make sales, you have to ask them to buy your book. It’s important to include offers regularly in your emails.
When you’re launching a book, running a promotion, or offering a special deal, tell your readers about it! If you don’t ask for the sale, you won’t get it. Make at least one clear offer in your email content each time you send it to ensure that your efforts convert into actual book sales.
If you have a social media following, share similar insights and offers there as well. While your newsletter will have the highest conversion rates (meaning more people will buy from your email than on social), you can connect with more ideal readers and book buyers on social media too.
Step 5: Master the Upsell
Upselling is a key strategy that many indie authors overlook. Once someone buys one book from you, don’t let the relationship stop there. Do you have other books or a series they can dive into? Offer them the next book or a bundle deal on your entire series.
If you have multiple products—such as exclusive bonus content, signed editions, or merchandise—make sure to offer them. Selling to readers who already love your work is much easier than constantly seeking new buyers.
Step 6: Repeat the Process
The indie author sales cycle is simple but powerful. Once you’ve successfully implemented it, you can repeat the process with every book launch.
As you grow your email list and engage with readers, your audience will expand, and so will your sales. Keep refining your approach, documenting what works best for you, and soon you’ll have a reliable system that boosts your book sales consistently.
By following these six steps, you’ll be well on your way to building a profitable career as an indie fiction author.
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When you’re ready, here’s how else I can help:
1. Join the Indie Fiction Authors Circle for just $25/year for ongoing support here
2. Take the Online Marketing Map for Indie Fiction Authors course here