51 Random Things Indie Authors Do (that Aren't writing)

Marley Betts
3 minutes ago
3 min read

Curious about the life of an indie author? What exactly does an indie author do? Here is a list of 51 random things that indie authors do (that aren't writing) in no particular order whatsoever. Dive in!

Manage social media accounts and schedule posts (this can be a MASSIVE time-suck)
Pitch articles and other creative ideas (i.e. Be brave!)
Obsessively check sales results, especially around launch periods (refresh, refresh, refresh)
Accept rejection and criticism (= grow thicker skin)
Deal with Imposter Syndrome
Search Engine Optimisation (to me, this means trying to work out what people are searching for, then writing things in a way that includes those terms so people can find what I've written)
Modelling (i.e. posing with books and things):
Look at moi (I might go pro lol)
Make digital things e.g. Canva images, banners, book covers, bookmarks, business cards
Ask for book reviews (please)
Ensure emails get through and aren't considered spam (this is A LOT more complicated than it sounds and involves a lot of acronyms like SPF, DKIM, and TXT)
Research random things (what is that clip called that nurses put on your finger to read your oxygen levels? and what ward would someone go to after the loss of a limb? what writing program is best to use? How do I format my manuscript? why are the edges of my book cover getting cut off when I do a print preview?...)
Keep track of and report on income and expenditure for tax purposes
Open a bank account
Plan book launch 'events' (real and/or virtual)
Set up a separate email, then check it regularly and make sure that sent emails are going through (unlike ones I send from my phone that just sit in my outbox and never go through. This leads me to...)
Fix problems (this is never-ending)
Start a newsletter and maintain a subscriber list. Send monthly newsletters.
Set up a free reader magnet online that captures email addresses
Seek out marketing and networking opportunities
Determine your book genre (this can be harder than you think)
Set goals
Review Goals
Come up with a list of keywords and search terms that people may use to find a book like yours
Group free book promotions
Set up paid advertisements (Analyse results. Tweak ads. Lose money until you cancel the ads. *cough* um, what?)
Budgeting
Navigate creative discouragement
Identify your ideal reader/audience
Brainstorm places where your ideal readers hang out and ways to tell them about your book/s
Read widely:
Read whenever you can
Read your own manuscript around 57267 times
Learn about marketing terms and words (keep a list above your desk)
Self-development (a lot)
Attempt to answer the question: "What are your books about?" (which should be easy, but it never is)
Maintain stock/inventory
Stage pretty photos:
not my strong suit
Formatting
Visual merchandising (set up book and market displays)
Warehousing and transportation
Compliance (adhering to regulatory requirements)
IT - backup, administration & cybersecurity (backing up is really important)
Customer service
Create a brand
Learn about Sales and Marketing, then try to implement the things you learn
Attempt to stay ahead of market trends - genres, themes etc. (full disclosure: I don't do this, but some people do)
Time management and scheduling
Publicity and interviews
My first interview = front page of my local!
Set up automation sequences for newsletter signups and inactive subscribers
Buy a domain name
Website design
Editing

Phew, okay, so there you have it! 51 random things that indie authors do. Some of these things we do amazingly, some badly, and some not at all (we're all different.) But we do have a super awesome set of skills, plus we're passionate, dedicated, and we work hard!

Are you an indie author? If so, I am SO PROUD OF YOU!! Feel welcome to share your book in the comments. What else would you add to this list??

Happy reading (and all the other things).

Much love,

Marley x