You are reading this post because you want to know what it takes to become a successful author. You also want to understand what you can do differently or continue doing to become the author of your dreams.
If this describes you, please continue reading.

Through my journey as a writer and now an author, I’ve always wondered what it takes to become successful in this craft – Should I sleep more? Am I writing less? Should I publish more books? How do I remain relevant? – these questions and more used to run through my head. And I’m thankful to God and the people around me for helping me find answers to these questions. Glory!

Although it cost me a lot – time, friendships, money – I am sharing tips with you on how to become a successful author and writer.

After you read this post, I will love to hear your thoughts in the comment section, thanks in advance for indulging me…
And now for the main discussion, here we goooooo

1. Define Your Success

First thing I did, which everyone embarking on any business or learning a skill should do is to access themselves and define what success means…to them. So yes…you need to define what success means to you. As an author, does success mean selling more books? Does it mean working with the big names in the industry? Making $1000 daily? Anchoring events? Sleeping 12 hours a day? Publishing one book? Publishing 200 books in 3 years?

You don’t have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream.

— Michael Dell

Once you hone in on what matters to you as an author, that’s the first and major step to becoming a successful author. What is your definition of success?

What is your definition of success?

Margaret adetimehin

2. Find a Writing Mentor

Who is your writing mentor?

No matter how gifted or talented you are, you need to either answer to someone or look up to a group of people. Having someone who is more experienced in the writing or publishing profession is a key ingredient to being successful. They keep you grounded, inspired, focused and helps you make important publishing decisions. It is important you find the right match for your dream and stay determined to keep up with them.

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” 

— Oprah Winfrey

I get it, most successful authors might be far from reach or too busy for you but there are several other ways you can keep up. But here’s what I’ve done over the years;

• Signed up for writing classes,
• Read their books consistently,
• Followed their blogs,
• Signed up for newsletters,
• Other ways are by joining a physical or online writing community – who knows whom you might meet there!

Who is (are) your writing mentor(s)?

Margaret adetimehin

3. Find Your Niche

What do you like writing or talking about? If you’re writing for financial gains, research what genres or topics gets the big bucks. If you are doing it for self-actualization, think of what you want to be know for. If you are confused, this is a good place for a mentor to come in and help make the right decisions.

You gotta keep trying to find your niche and trying to fit into whatever slot that’s left for you or to make one of your own.

— Dolly Parton

Personally, what’s most important is writing what you love. It’s also not written in stone, you can always try your hand in another genre or topic, but I’ll advise you to take them one at a time.
This is also the time to network and collaborate with other writers within this niche while creating your own unique path. Work on anthologies, multi-author series and help others in their journey too – don’t just take, take, take, learn to give. Your readers or potential readers need to have a solid idea of what you do as well, this is where branding comes to play.

Network and collaborate with other writers within your niche while creating your own unique path.

margaret adetimehin

4. Build And Engage With Your Following

This is one of the simplest and complicated thing to do that aids in bring the bucks in as an author, make that as an indie author. At some point, you’ll have to pay to promote your books but in the very beginning, it’s best to start organic. Successful indie authors have social media platforms – Facebook groups, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Email, etc – where they connect with readers and super fans.

Just having satisfied customers isn’t good enough anymore. If you really want a booming business, you have to create raving fans.

— Ken Blanchard – Mollie Beck

Your starting base doesn’t have to be big. Before publishing my first book, Nine Hours Till Five, my goal was to have at least three super fans, and with this in mind, I tried to engage with readers on different platforms. Right now, my main engagement platforms are Instagram, Youtube, and my Website Blog. In order to focus on writing, as social media can be so much fun, it is advisable to have three main platforms where you consistently engage with your audience. It’s all part of marketing – building trust and meaningful relationships and not every time, buy my book. If you’re into commercial fiction, show your personality, and let your readers connect with you.

Have three main platforms where you consistently engage with your audience. It’s all part of marketing – building trust and meaningful relationships and not every time, buy my book.

margaret adetimehin

5. Be A Lean Entrepreneur

As an indie author, to become successful, you’ll need to wear multiple caps. I’m not saying you should create your book covers yourself – please let other creatives do their job and focus on writing – I’m saying you have to investigate, study and understand how the writing business works, improve your writing by reading more books, attend classes and dedicate time to write daily.

Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop is at the core of the Lean Startup model.

— The Lean Startup

You’ll need to have an eye for what covers would attract your readers, titles that would capture your story, and how you can reach your potential target reader.

Another important thing is to host events, attend events, be seen, be heard, be read!

Most importantly, think of your author or writing career as a business, even if it’s a side hustle. Track everything you do, so you can look back, measure your success, and set new measurements.

Track everything you do, so you can measure your success.

margaret adetimehin

I hope the questions in this post have been helpful, as I want to help you reduce the stress of self-publishing your books, and help you make money while at it. Schedule a one-on-one consultation with me today and successfully launch your book.