As indie authors, it’s easy to get caught up in sales rankings—especially on platforms like Amazon, where a single book can have multiple category rankings. However, it’s vital to remember the bigger picture: exposure matters more than immediate sales.
We’re sharing a marketplace with hugely famous authors like J.K. Rowling, and hyper-focusing on sales can create unnecessary stress that actually hinders the creative process. Instead of obsessing over numbers, focus on gaining exposure and growing your audience.
One effective strategy for indie authors is to keep book prices low, making it easier for new readers to take a chance on your work. In fact, I’m a firm believer in making one or more of your books permanently free (also called perma-free). This approach has helped me reach more readers, grow my audience, and increase long-term engagement.
I want to end this series on indie publishing on the same note I began: reminding authors why we choose self-publishing. It’s a lot of work and often not much money. We expose ourselves to the sometimes harsh world of online reviews, including scathing critiques from trolls who may never have written a book themselves. So why do we do it? Because we love to write—and we need to share the stories that only we can tell.
This post is part of my “Indie Author Marketing” blog series. Please be sure to check out my Greco Family Trilogy books, including Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees, Discovery of an Eagle, and The Bird that Sang in Color. These books are available from all major online book sellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
