Today we have another great article from guest blogger Jenna Sherman, a mom of three who hopes to help other parents acquire the skills to raise future leaders by providing valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources. She created parent-leaders.com as an avenue for parents who want to make sure their children grow up to be strong, independent, successful adults.
The thrill of early success in self-publishing is electric. Whether it arrives through a spike in Amazon rankings, a growing fanbase hungry for more, or that unexpected nod from a media outlet, the initial rush can feel like proof that you were right to bet on yourself. But after the celebratory glass is drained and the inbox fills with reader praise and requests, the question lingers: what now? Sustaining and scaling momentum demands more than just writing the next book—it requires thinking like a business, and building something that can last.
Building a Personal Brand That Lives Outside the Book
You’re no longer just the author of a book; you’re now the brand. That means you have to take the story beyond the page. Develop a presence across platforms that reflect the tone, themes, and personality of your writing. Readers connect with authors who are real, accessible, and consistent, so carve out a voice on social media that feels like an extension of your work. Whether you lean into humor, inspiration, or behind-the-scenes candor, give your audience a reason to follow you between releases.
Thinking Like a Business Pro
As your writing career expands, the demands of running it like a business grow just as fast. Picking up new skills in marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship can shift you from reactive to strategic, giving you the tools to make smarter choices and keep your momentum going. Understanding how to budget for a launch, analyze sales data, or plan long-term growth isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for turning a side hustle into a full-time career. If you’re ready to invest in that kind of growth, this is a good pick for a flexible online business degree program that fits around a busy author’s schedule.
Hiring Help Without Losing Control
You don’t have to do everything yourself forever. At some point, the return on investment from outsourcing outweighs the cost. The key is staying involved in the creative heart of your brand while letting trusted collaborators handle the parts that don’t require your personal touch. That might mean hiring a virtual assistant to manage emails and scheduling, bringing on a freelance marketer to optimize ad spend, or working with a developmental editor to sharpen your storytelling.
Going Beyond Launch Day Marketing
If your early success came from a strong book launch, don’t assume that strategy will hold forever. Audiences evolve, algorithms shift, and what worked once might not again. Think bigger than your next release date: explore long-tail marketing strategies that keep your backlist in circulation. That could mean automated email funnels, Amazon ads with tested copy, or collaborative promotions with other indie authors in your genre. Treat each book like an asset in a growing portfolio.
Developing Direct Relationships With Your Readers
Owning your audience is the safest way to grow it. Relying solely on third-party platforms puts you at the mercy of policies you can’t control. Building an email list gives you a direct line to your readers, unfiltered by social media algorithms or retailer whims. Offer exclusive content, sneak peeks, or early access to incentivize signups. Then, nurture that list with regular updates that don’t just sell—but share and connect.
Exploring Formats Beyond the Page
There’s more than one way to tell a story. Audio, for example, continues to expand as a powerful medium for authors looking to diversify. Narrating your own work or hiring a professional voice actor can bring your stories to life in a new way and tap into a broader audience. Print, ebook, and audio should all be part of your strategy, especially if you’re looking to establish a presence in libraries or foreign markets. With early success comes the freedom to experiment.
Creating Systems to Support the Next Level
Success isn’t sustainable without systems. That might sound dull to a creative spirit, but workflows, calendars, and automation are the scaffolding that keeps momentum from becoming chaos. Whether it’s a content calendar for your blog, a social media scheduling tool, or a regular writing routine, systems free up mental space. They let you focus on what only you can do—writing compelling stories and steering the direction of your brand.
You’ve done something most writers never manage: you’ve captured attention. That’s no small feat in a crowded, noisy market. But now comes the transition from being an author with a good book to a writer with a real business. You’re not just writing stories anymore. You’re building a legacy.
