Business & Planning Archives

Essential Business Principles Every Author Should Know

Authors who sell books are running publishing ventures, whether they realize it or not, and understanding fundamental business principles can mean the difference between long-term sustainability and costly mistakes.

When Platforms Collapse: Authors Move to Diversify

Authors who built their audience on TikTok got a harsh reminder on January 17: any platform can disappear overnight, and it is important to diversify. The brief shutdown sent authors scrambling for alternatives, forcing many to rethink their dependence on a single platform. While TikTok returned after twelve hours and received a temporary reprieve, the scare highlighted a bigger issue—Amazon, Meta, and other platforms have also suspended or restricted authors’ accounts without warning, often with little recourse.

A Fresh Start for the New Year: Creative Planning Tips for Authors by Orna Ross

The start of a new year is like opening a fresh notebook—full of promise, ready for ideas, and waiting for your words. For authors, this is the perfect time to embrace creative planning tips, pause to reflect, and set the stage for success. As we move into the new season, it’s an opportunity to map out your creative intentions and take charge of your writing and publishing goals.

Self-Publishing Business and Planning Advice: Best Blogs 2024

This year has flown by once again! As December unfolds, we’ll take a look back at the top posts from the Alliance of Independent Authors blog over the past year. If you missed any of our weekly insights, advice, or case studies, don’t worry—we’ll be rounding up the highlights throughout the month. To start things off, here’s a selection of the best self-publishing business and planning advice featured on the blog in 2024.

ALLi Members Set Bold Goals for 2025

As 2024 comes to a close, many indie authors are already turning their focus to the opportunities and challenges of 2025. From creative shifts to business strategies, they’re making plans to elevate their careers in the coming year. Members of the Alliance of Independent Authors shared their goals for the year ahead, offering a glimpse into the exciting changes they’re preparing to make.

How to Manage the Stress That Comes with Indie Publishing Success

Indie publishing success can take many forms—whether it's financial stability, creative freedom, or building a loyal audience—but achieving it often brings unexpected challenges and stresses along the way. Three ALLi authors—M.K. Williams, Russell Nohelty, and Tom Evans—have faced these challenges firsthand and offer insights into managing success once it arrives.

Planning for Retirement: Financial Strategies for Indie Authors

When you're an indie author, planning for retirement isn’t usually top of mind. Between writing, marketing, and managing everything that comes with self-publishing, thinking about long-term security often gets pushed aside. But as self-employed creatives, indie authors face unique challenges. Unlike traditional jobs with pensions and automatic retirement savings, authors have to take control of their financial future.

Should Indie Authors Comply with Apple’s EU Personal Information Request?

At the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), we recognize the dilemma Applie's EU request for personal information presents for authors: balancing compliance with emerging regulations while protecting your personal privacy. In this post, we’ll dive into the implications of Apple’s request, explore whether you should comply, and provide practical tips for navigating this situation.

Creating Courses from Nonfiction Books

Creating courses from nonfiction books is a growing strategy for authors to expand their reach and impact. Advances in online learning tools and platforms have made it easier for self-publishers to transform their books into engaging educational experiences, generating additional income and fostering deeper connections with readers. Success depends on a clear understanding of the new technologies and best practices that have emerged since we last covered this topic in 2017.

August 26, 2024
ALLi Editorial
Business & Planning, Process 1. Editorial
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Money Management Principles - Person With Calculator

Money Management Principles for Indie Authors: Self-Publishing Money Basics Part Three

This is part three in ALLi's Self-Publishing Money Basics series. If you’ve been following along, you’ll have already considered how to embrace a positive money mindset, and learnt the key financial terms to get you started on your business journey, and now you are looking for more detail to help your money management for your author business.

How to Self-Publish an E-book for Free: A Step-By-Step Guide

For those starting out, see this as a guide of the key steps you need to consider if you are looking to self-publish an ebook for free. And for those of you who have been with us for a while, this post is ideal to share with friends and contacts asking for tips on how to get started – just send on the link!

January 22, 2024
AskALLi Team
Business & Planning, Process 3 & 4: Production & Distribution
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Money Basics for Indie Authors Part Two: The Top Financial Terms Indie Authors Need to Know

Do financial terms and money matters put your head in a spin? Here at ALLi we believe a positive money mindset can make all the difference in your author career. With this post you can build your confidence and understanding of all things money management by learning the top financial terms indie authors need to know.