Tag: how to make money as an author

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What Can You Learn?

September 10, 2021– As we chat about continuing education for authors this month, let’s take a glimpse into the world of knowledge and explore what you can learn as an author that will build up your bank account! We’re not talking about the typical manuscript improvement courses or how to write, but the topics aside from that and areas of learning that will help you sell your books and more!

  1. Accounting. This is essential if you’re a self-published author because you’ll need to keep track of your sales, taxes paid, royalty rates, and costs. What about foreign sales or the taxes you need to pay in a different country? Can you use some of your costs as a write-off if you’ve started a sole-proprietorship? Many questions need answers, and the best way to do this is to either hire an accountant or learn the ins and outs yourself!
  2. Sales. Selling is essential, and there is a wrong way and a right way to do it! The more you know about sales, the better because your livelihood depends on it! If you’re not into sales or don’t know how to sell, it’s time to brush up on your skills. So much has changed since the days of door-to-door high-pressure tactics; selling is now about connecting with your consumers and building relationships with them!
  3. Marketing. If cash is king, marketing is queen! Marketing is the blood of your business and books, and without it, no one will know what you do or where to buy it! Invest in marketing courses for your books and yourself; it’s an investment that will keep paying off. Marketing includes everything from packaging, how to reach your customers, who those customers are, social media, and more.
  4. Consumer Behaviour. The psychology of human behaviour is fascinating, and there are many continuing education classes available on this topic. Why people buy should be at the forefront of your mind when selling your book. What triggers them to make a purchase? Is there anything that you can do to influence their behaviour while still being ethical? Are there fonts/colours/shapes/designs that help people notice your work more? The questions are endless, and studying consumer behaviour is never a waste of time!

Check out our classes below; we’re adding more all the time!

Best-Seller Bootcamp – Pandamonium Publishing House

Children’s Book Writing Master Class – Pandamonium Publishing House

Transitioning from Writer to Author (An Introductory Course) – Pandamonium Publishing House

Novel Writing Course – Pandamonium Publishing House

Course: Get Your Book Noticed and Increase Your Sales – Pandamonium Publishing House

 

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Reasons to Continue Your Author Education

September 9, 2021– During September, we’re focusing on continuing education and how it can help you reach new heights in your career as an author or aspiring author. Today we’re talking about 5 reasons to continue your author education!

  1. More Opportunity-Writers who continue their education are more likely to get opportunities from their work; they’ve done their homework and put in the hours to learn what they need to improve on to get published! Publishers love educated authors because it shows us that you care enough to strive for excellence in your career through continued learning.
  2. More Money-The more you learn, the more you earn! Right now, you’ve gone as far as you can with what you know; any progress you make from this moment onward regarding your income or an improvement in your writing will require that you learn and practice something new and different.  If you want to make more money, you have to offer more value to your readers, publisher, and team, and continuing education will help you do just that! Ongoing personal and professional development will always pay the bills.
  3. More Networking-Continuing education allows authors to attend more networking events and meet new and like-minded writers at conferences, workshops, and classes. Continuing ed events encourage authors to break into groups, participate in beta-testing, and forge lifelong friendships. What’s not to like about that?
  4. More Experiences– Have you ever been to a writer’s retreat in Algonquin park? Did your new novel ‘force’ you to attend a wine tasting at a chateau in France for research? Maybe your new book put you in touch with a law enforcement agent for a ride-along so that you could get up close and personal with the job that your main character has? All of these things and more have been experienced by real authors who have continued their education worldwide and in all different capacities. To say that education opens doors would be an understatement!
  5. More Fun-Continuing your education can send you to different places around the world to study! I’ve been to conferences all over the place. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and the sights I’ve seen, from the Natural History Museum in England to Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theatre in New York to TD Garden in Boston to catch a home game and everywhere in between.  If you’re already in these awesome places for a writer’s workshop or conference, why not take full advantage of your surroundings and have a ton of fun!

So, those are some pretty good reasons to continue your education as an author! You never know where knowledge will lead. Check out our courses and products here: www.pandamoniumpublishing.com/shop
with more coming soon!

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Money, Money, Money, Money, Money, from Public Speaking

July 9, 2021– Today, we’re talking about money! Let me back up for a second and explain a bit further; we’re talking about using public speaking as an author to add an additional revenue stream to your writing career. Public speaking as an author is not only a marketing tool; it’s a money-making opportunity.

As authors, we get paid in many different ways (royalties, freelance pieces, book sales, advances, etc.,) but why not add public speaking to your arsenal of income? Not only can you charge a speaking fee, but if you have your books, courses, or workshops for sale at the back of the room, you can earn even more!

You may be wondering where you can find speaking opportunities as an author; let me help! Here are five great places to start:

  1. Libraries-Some libraries will pay you to offer a talk or a class on your specific area of expertise. Reach out to your local library and let them know what you offer and why people would be interested in learning more. Over the years, I’ve welcomed several new clients to my business by giving workshops on self-publishing and relevant topics at libraries in my city.
  2. Elementary/High School visits– At Pandamonium Publishing House, we charge for author visits. Why? Because we bring a ton of value to the classroom! We talk about age-appropriate topics such as setting, plots, and character development. For the older kids, we add subject matter of relevant interest, such as the business of books, publishing behind the scenes, and my favourite topic, which is book marketing. We donate a copy (or copies) of our book to the school library, and we bring fun activities such as word searches, spot the difference, and colouring pages!
  3. Universities and Colleges– I’ve had so many fantastic opportunities to speak to college and university students across Canada, both in-person and virtually. Talking to budding authors and illustrators in Writer’s Craft/English classes is a rewarding experience for not only me but for them too! They get a taste of the publishing industry and what’s up and coming in the book business, as well as trends in the marketplace, tips on how to get hired by a publishing company, and what employers in the industry are looking for.
  4. Community Events– Writing retreats, weekend workshops, and masterclasses often hire guest speakers, so why shouldn’t it be you that’s getting paid to speak on what you’re an expert in? Seek out events that match your genre, interests, and passions. Remember to bring your A-game so you’ll be invited back. Word of mouth spreads, and if you do a stellar job, your public speaking calendar will fill up fast!
  5. Industry Associations and their events-Are you a member of a writing association, club, or group? Do they have different guest speakers each week? Some great places to explore for earning public speaking revenue include Chambers of Commerce, professional associations, and corporations. Perhaps you’ve written a book on wellness principles that deal with stress relief and mindfulness; high profile executives have a lot on their plate, and those responsibilities come with a ton of stress. You could reach out to the companies in your city to offer to present some helpful tips to remain mindful, calm, and organized to their employees. Bring your book and program with you to sell at the back of the room.

Don’t sell yourself short! Public speaking opportunities for authors are endless; you just have to know where to look.