Beyond the Margins: Build a Profitable Author Business

Hello Author Friends,

Yes, business can seem tricky, but the reality is often less complicated than it may first seem. You may have heard me say it before, but it bears repeating: Business is not as hard as writing a book, and you've done that!

There can be many moving pieces to running a business—especially a sustainable one—and the learning curve may be steeper than you wish. But don't make it more complicated than it is or needs to be.

Once you’ve got the ball rolling and learned what works for you, you can often distill the process down to a few crucial pillars you already practice.

You don’t need an elaborate system to make meaningful progress. Once you find a rhythm that works, success usually comes from doing the simple things consistently.

Let a few articles from the archives shine some light on this idea:

• Sophistication is just a nice-to-have: What I Learned from Running My Business Through a 2-Year Concussion Recovery​
• Just do what you normally do, then slightly more: When You Do Things Other Authors Don’t or Won’t, People Notice​
• Instead of guessing what your audience wants, why not ask them?: Stop Assuming You Know What Readers and Customers Want​
• Do it once, do it again, and confidence will follow: Taking a Leap of Faith with Your Author Business Activities Is a Win/Win​
• Need inspiration? Here’s a treasure trove of 15–60 minute tasks that make a difference: What Kinds of Things Count for 5 Daily Servings of Author/Book Promotion?​

Free Virtual Power Hours

Take a moment and RSVP for one or more of our free monthly Zoom calls. It's one hour that combines a little bit of author business education and a lot of community support and brainstorming for your questions and challenges.

• June: Audiobooks as Business Strategy​
• July: Author Branding as Business Strategy​
• August: Marketing Your Books to Younger Generations​

Free In-Person Events

Tuesday, May 19, 6pm–8:30pm: Writers, Authors, and Creatives Are Business Owners Now: The Tax Knowledge That Saves You Money (and Stress)

• 6pm–7:15pm Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Large Community Room, for program
• 7:15pm–8:30pm Gideon Welles, 4500 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, for socializing and drinks

For many authors, business taxes are something they don’t understand and would prefer to avoid completely. Author and tax pro Michael Haupt will walk us through reporting requirements, receipts, expense writeoffs, and other tax and accounting basics. He will save you money, time, and headaches!

Haupt, author of Aviation Chicago Timeline, is a professional tax preparer. As an entrepreneur for over 40 years, he handled his own taxes in a wide variety of situations.

The first 20 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Sharon Woodhouse's award-winning book, The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books. All attendees will receive a free 3-month subscription to Sharon's Substack, giving you full access to over 400 articles on author businesses and book marketing strategies.

In-Person Events Coming Later This Year

• Author Business Bingo, October.
• Speed Networking for Authors, September.
• Authors, Come Paint Your Book Cover, August.

Paint, sip, and build the author business you've been dreaming of!

What if one evening could spark both your creativity and your author business clarity?

Bottle & Bottega, Lakeview

2900 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

August 25, 6pm–9pm

Join me for an intimate, one-of-a-kind evening designed exclusively for authors who are serious about building a business they love around their books.

You'll paint your book cover on a 16" x 20" (or 11" x 14") canvas. You'll sip wine. You'll eat cupcakes. And in the middle of all that creative energy, you'll receive personalized and group coaching on the author business and book marketing moves that matter for you.

Intimate by design, transformative by intention, and magically delicious. Think of it as your author business breakthrough—with better snacks.

The evening includes:

• A guided painting session where you re-create your book cover on canvas (no experience necessary)
• Wine, soft drinks, and cupcakes
• Group author business and book marketing coaching from Sharon
• Personalized coaching moments woven throughout the evening
• A room full of serious, like-minded authors

P.S. Don't have a book yet? Come paint the cover of the one you're going to write. There's no better vision board than a canvas.

Space is strictly limited to 16 authors.

Early Bird Rate: $80 (first 6 seats only); Regular Rate: $95

All painting supplies, wine, soft drinks, and cupcakes included.

Email me if interested in reserving a spot: sharon@conspirecreative.com.

All the best,

Sharon

Sharon Woodhouse, owner, Conspire Creative

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