4 Steps for Book Publishers to Increase Profits and Grow Their Business.

Eric G Reid
3 min readSep 13, 2023

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Innovative Strategies for Authors: A Guide to Growth

Authors often find themselves in a cycle of writing and waiting for traditional publishing deals. This passive approach can limit their reach and growth. With the literary world undergoing significant changes due to the rise of ebooks, self-publishing, and online platforms, it’s crucial for authors to adapt and evolve.

The Opportunity for Growth

Authors have the potential to innovate and expand their readership. The strategy lies in identifying the “growth gap” — the difference between the current state of their writing career and its desired state in 3–5 years.

Four Steps to Achieve Transformative Growth:

1. Define Your Growth Gap
— Assess your current career metrics:
— Number of books published.
— Revenue from book sales.
— Online presence and followers.
— Engagement with readers.
— Distribution channels and platforms used.
— Recognition and awards.
— Envision your goals for the next 3–5 years across these metrics.
— Identify the gaps between your current state and future goals.
— Differentiate between core growth (improving existing strategies) and transformative growth (exploring new avenues).

2. Channel Your Creativity
— Listen to your readers about their preferences and feedback.
— Gather insights through social media, book reviews, reader emails, and direct interactions.
— Prioritize writing projects based on reader demand, market trends, and personal passion.
— Focus on 1–3 top projects to ensure quality and depth.

3. Build Your Author Brand
— Consider attending writing workshops for skill enhancement.
— Join writing groups or collaborate with fellow authors for mutual growth.
— Engage with literary associations for networking and resources.
— Seek mentors or advisors from the literary world.
— Develop a strong online presence through a personal website, blog, and social media.

4. Implement Growth Strategies
— Research successful marketing and promotional strategies for authors.
— Consider self-publishing or hybrid publishing models.
— Adopt an agile approach to writing, being open to feedback and revisions.
— Collaborate with influencers, bloggers, and other authors for promotions.
— Monitor book sales and reader engagement.
— Prioritize strategies with clear growth potential.

Benefits of Adopting This Growth Process:
- Diversified income streams.
- Enhanced reader engagement.
- Increased book sales.
- Recognition in the literary community.
- Growth in online followers.
- Skill development and refinement.
- Strengthened network in the literary world.
- Positive personal brand development.

Key Takeaways:
- The literary landscape is rapidly evolving; stagnation is not an option.
- Set clear growth objectives and identify gaps.
- Gather reader feedback to pinpoint opportunities.
- Collaborate with peers and mentors for growth.
- Test and iterate new writing and marketing strategies swiftly.
- Monitor results and adapt strategies accordingly.
- Celebrate successes but remain focused on continuous growth.

In conclusion, authors have the tools and strategies at their disposal to break free from traditional molds. By setting a clear vision and taking deliberate steps towards it, they can achieve readership growth, recognition, and a fulfilling writing career. The time to bridge the author growth gap is now.

Ready to breathe life into your story? Don’t let your narrative remain just words on a page. Reach out to us at info@Skinnybrowndogmedia.com and let’s transform your tale into a living, breathing masterpiece!

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Eric G Reid

I'm Eric G. Reid, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Skinny Brown Dog Media. My mission: transform aspiring writers into authors, and help them create an impact