In self-publishing, education really is the key to success—and at the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), we’re all about helping authors get the knowledge they need to build a thriving publishing business.
We all know that honing our writing craft is important. But it’s just as crucial to keep learning about the other parts of the publishing process—editing, design, production, distribution, marketing, promotion, and rights licensing. And the more you know about each, the more confidently you can run your author business.
Of course, there are many educational options out there. So how do you make sure you’re really getting the most out of what’s available? Here are some tips to help you make your learning count.
Engage Actively
The more engaged you are, the more you’ll retain—and more importantly, actually use—what you’ve learned.
“Find out if the webinar or class will be available for you to rewatch or if there’s a transcript. I always find it a struggle to listen at the same time as taking notes when I’m deluged with delicious new information. If I know there are comprehensive notes or a rewatch facility, that takes the pressure off and lets me engage fully in the moment.” – Roz Morris, ALLi Editor-in-Chief and Ambassador
When you’re attending events in person, don’t underestimate the power of just talking to people. Making connections with fellow authors and industry professionals is a huge part of the learning process—and can lead to future collaborations and increased visibility.
“If you’re at an in-person event, don’t forget that part of the benefit is the other people there. Writers tend to be shy, but in a conference or course situation, you all have the same interest and aim. That in itself is enough to break the ice. Strike up conversations about the learning you’ve just shared, or about the next sessions you’re planning to attend. Although online relationships are fantastic, it’s always more special if you’ve connected in reality.” – Roz Morris
Take Action
Learning is great, but it only makes a difference if you actually do something with it.
“There are plenty of fantastic learning opportunities for authors out there, but sometimes we kid ourselves that turning up and listening actually changes our actions. So for every session or seminar I attend, I highlight just one key thing I will do differently. That way, I actually have something solid and achievable to work on.” – Anna Featherstone, ALLi Ambassador, Nonfiction Advisor, and podcast host
Here’s how authors can make the most of their educational opportunities based on the stage of their publishing business:
For Beginning Authors: Build the Foundation
Get off on the right foot by laying the groundwork for your education.
Set Clear Goals
Before you dive into all the great educational content out there, take a moment to figure out what you’re aiming for. Want to be a full-time author-publisher? Mix in some business know-how with your craft learning. Publishing a one-off book to support your business? Start with the craft basics.
Be Picky About Where You Learn
There’s a lot of info out there—and not all of it is good. Choose sources that are reputable and aligned with your goals. You’ll save time, avoid mistakes, and move forward faster.
- Do their goals match yours? (There’s no point learning rapid-release strategies if you’re not planning to publish that way.)
- Does their experience or data back up their advice?
- Are they recommended by people you trust?
Tap into ALLi’s list of vetted Partner Members and Victoria Strauss’s Writer Beware blog to find reputable sources and avoid the disreputable ones.
For Emerging Authors: Tap into Your Trusted Sources
Once you’ve got a few books or projects under your belt, it’s time to level up with more targeted learning.
Pick a Focus and Rotate
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when there’s so much to learn. Instead, focus on one area at a time—maybe spend a month diving into marketing, then shift to promotion the next month. Your learning will be more meaningful if you’re not jumping from topic to topic.
Stick with Trusted Sources
As an emerging author, you have found trustworthy educational resources that resonate with you; now go for depth rather than breadth of study. Want to educate yourself on the best practices related to ISBNs? You could wade through endless information on this topic, but you’ll save yourself time and headaches by going to a trusted source.
Pro Tip: Wondering about this question yourself? Check out “The AskALLi Ultimate Guide to ISBNs for Authors” at https://selfpublishingadvice.org/isbns-for-authors.
For Experienced Authors: Be a Student and a Teacher
As an experienced author, you might be just as much a teacher in the industry as you are a student. This can open a range of additional opportunities for you and your business.
Share What You Know
You’ve got experience—why not turn it into workshops, courses, or speaking gigs? Mentoring others not only builds your brand and authority but also creates new income streams.
ALLi members have done exactly that; check out how in our guide on “Creating Courses from Nonfiction Books” at https://selfpublishingadvice.org/creating-courses-from-nonfiction-books.
Keep Learning
Just because you’re teaching doesn’t mean you’re done learning. Keep up with the latest trends, connect with other experienced authors, and don’t be afraid to revisit the basics—they just might spark new ideas for your own business.
For All Authors
ALLi offers a range of educational resources to support indie authors at every stage. Many are open to everyone, like our Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast and blog. Others, like our live monthly Q&As with advisors and replays from our annual SelfPubCon, are exclusive to ALLi members.
Wherever you are in your author journey, make education a priority. The more you learn, the better prepared you’ll be to make smart decisions and grow the publishing business you want.
Matty Dalrymple, ALLi Campaigns Manager
The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) is a global membership association for self-publishing authors. A non-profit, our mission is ethics and excellence in self-publishing. Everyone on our team is a working indie author and we offer advice and advocacy for self-publishing authors within the literary, publishing and creative industries around the world. www.allianceindependentauthors.org
