Everything You Need to Know To Avoid Being Ripped off as an Indie Author

It's unfortunate that in every industry there are people who will gladly take advantage of you. That's why the Alliance of Independent Authors is proud to run a watchdog desk that runs a number of services including: highlighting trusted service providers through their vetting service and monthly watchdog posts on the not so trustworthy. Today, we have a round up of all of the articles you need to avoid being ripped off as an indie author.

ALLi’s guide Choosing the Best Self-Publishing Services for You focusses helping empower you to identify which services are trustworthy and which you need to avoid (available for sale on the ALLi bookshop or free to members in the Member Zone: log in –>go to Books –>Self-Publishing Guides). 

With thanks to John Doppler for his continued vigilance on the communities behalf against dodgy providers, scammers and untrustworthy services. John helps to make the community a safer place.

ALLi's Watchdog John Doppler

Everything You Need to Know To Avoid Being Ripped off as an Indie Author: Author Self-Defense

Evaluating Self-Publishing Services with ALLi's Code of Standards

If you need to engage a new editor or designer or other service provider, then protect yourself using ALLi's Code of Standards. If you've ever wondered what standard of service you should receive, these will help. Check them out here.

12 Self-Publishing Services Authors Should Beware

Regardless of the type of service you're considering be it review services, social media services, PR and media or anything else, check out this list of 12 services you should beware of first.

How Indie Authors Can Avoid Predatory Awards

Winning an award or competition is a proud moment for any author, but check out this article showing you how indie Authors can avoid predatory awards before you enter.

Money Should Flow to the Author

Before you consider working with a publishing service and handing over any money, make sure you read this article about when it's appropriate to pay out and when it isn't. You can find the article here: Money Should Flow to the Author.

Indie Author Self-Defense: How to Identify and Deal with Negging

Indie Author Self-Defense: Disarming a High-Pressure Seller

• Piracy
• Plagiarism
  Impersonation

5 Reasons Authors Fall for Vanity Presses

Have you ever been pitched by a vanity press? Perhaps you've reached out to one yourself. Here are five reasons authors fall for vanity presses.

Who Does Your Publishing Contract Protect?

If you're in the industry long enough, then the likelihood is that you'll have to sign a contract. But who does your contract actually protect? This article takes a look and shows you how to defend yourself.

Social Media Marketing: Cutting through the Hype

When you're busy it's hard to market through social media on top of every other aspect of running a business. But there's a lot of hype to social media services. Learn how to cut straight to the truth with these tips.

Online Catalogs: Are They Worth the Money?

With an ever increasingly saturated market, getting eyes on your book is more important than ever. But are online catalogs a useful way of doing that? Find out in this article .

Is It Ever Okay to Buy Reviews?

Reviews are essential, they provide the necessary social proof to help you sell more books, but getting them is hard and the temptation to pay for them strong. John explains when you can and can't pay for reviews in order to stay within the rules.

Can Affiliate Programs Damage Your Reputation?

Affiliate marketing is becoming increasingly popular. But affiliate marketing is based off your reputation, something that you need to keep in tact. In this article, we explore when affiliate marketing can be used and when it can damage your reputation.

Everything You Need to Know To Avoid Being Ripped off as an Indie Author: Dispute Resolution

Sometimes, you just need to complain. But there's an art to complaining effectively to get what you what. Learn the art of a complaint here.

Help! My Royalties are Incorrect!

Everyone fears the day your royalties are incorrect. How do you get them corrected? Who do you contact? Don't worry, we're here to help. Read more on what to do when your royalties are incorrect here.

Everything You Need to Know To Avoid Being Ripped off as an Indie Author: General Tips and Advice

7 Game-Changing Tips for KDP Authors

Learn our seven top tips for making the most out of your KDP account and marketing.

How To Find the Perfect Title

Book titles are hard, you want them to be enticing, but also capture part of your story. It would also be nice if you liked your title. So how are you meant to choose? Here's some top tricks for choosing a book title.

Increase Your Visibility With Google’s Knowledge Panel

Everyone knows that being top of the searches in Google is big business. It increases your traffic and visibility. So why not take advantage of your author knowledge panel? Here's how you can claim and manage your author knowledge panel.

The Psychology of Choice: 7 Marketing Principles for Website Design

When you're selling more than just books for your income, clinching the sale is vital. There's a psychology behind getting the sale and John is here to break down how you can employ a raft of techniques to improve your sales conversion rate.

Bring Your Book Covers to Life with Facebook’s 3D Photos

Have some fun and bring your books to life using this method to create a 3D book cover.

Everything You Need to Know To Avoid Being Ripped off as an Indie Author: Navigating Amazon 

Amazon Rules Roundup

Amazon has a lot of rules, it can be tricky trying to adhere to them all. So we've rounded up some of the sticky rules to help keep you on the straight and narrow. You can find all the advertising AMS rules here. And you can find the KDP rules right here.

10 Myths and Misunderstandings about Amazon

In any industry, myths and legends build up and permeate the community through whispers and rumor. But some of the myths with this round up of 10 Amazon myths and misunderstandings.

Amazon Sales Rank: Taming the Algorithm