Should You Write Another 10 Books?

For authors who write and self-publish their first book, they are likely to feel beaten down by the experience. But the answer to publishing success may lie in a strategy that involves publishing a dozen or more books.

Let me explain.

A writer’s first book has so many learning curves because you simply don’t know anything. You scramble from one question to the next:

* How do I find a publisher or literary agent?
* Who can edit my book!
* Who will design the cover?
* How do I self-publish?
*How can I get more book reviews?

It is a never-ending list, mixed in with anxious optimism that turns to disappointment and bills. By the end of the process, you question if you will try your hand at it again. The real question is not if but how many times you will try it again.

It is actually easier to promote and sell three or six or 10 books — than just one. There is an advantage to having lots of content.

A recent survey by the Alliance of Independent Authors showed that self-published authors were finally making some coin.  The average income of survey respondents was $82,600 — an increase of 34% from a year ago. But it is a tale of disparity. Whereas the average earnings were over 80 grand, the median was just $12K. This means half earned more, half less than that. Nearly 23% reported making $1000 or less. Still, 18.5% say they made $100,000 or more last year.

So, how did writers make money? Perhaps they had great books. Maybe not. They hopefully marketed them wisely — or maybe some got lucky. But what the wealthiest likely did correctly was pump out a lot of content.

Over half who responded to the survey have put out 10 or more books. 20% of respondents had published 30+ books. So, even if each title produces only a few bucks, multiply it by lots of books, and suddenly you are in business.

Each book published is like a lottery ticket — it has a low chance of success but the more tickets you have, the more likely you can cash in a winner. Throw a lot out there; see what sticks. The law of averages says one or more can break away from the pack.

So, as mentally m-exhausting, time-sucking, and money-draining it is to self-publish, get excited and optimistic. You can make some money writing. You just need to pen another 10 books!

 

Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.3 million pageviews. With 4,400+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.