10 Top Outcome-Based Management Resources for New Authors
“Planning is everything.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower
As a new indie author, navigating the world of writing, publishing, and marketing your first book can feel overwhelming. But what if you could break down each phase of your author journey into clear, manageable goals with measurable results? That’s where Outcome-Based Management resources come in—giving you the tools to finish your book and launch it with purpose and precision.
This fourth part of our writer’s guide series on Outcome-Based Management provides 10 excellent resources to help you apply Outcome-Based Management (OBM) principles to writing, publishing, and marketing your first book. These resources are designed to help you stay on track, maximize your efforts, and achieve success as an indie author.
Writing & Goal-Setting Tools
Scrivener
Scrivener is a powerful writing software that allows you to set and track word count goals, organize your manuscript, and manage research. It’s perfect for breaking your book into manageable writing milestones, a key element of OBM.
Trello
Trello is a flexible project management tool that can help you map the writing, editing, and publishing process with visual boards. You can set tasks, deadlines, and goals to keep your book project on track.
Pacemaker
Pacemaker is a goal-tracking app specifically designed for writers. It helps you set writing targets, track progress, and adjust your schedule to meet your writing KPIs.
Notion
Notion is another highly customizable project management tool. It can help you organize your writing project, set goals, and track your daily, weekly, or monthly progress, which is ideal for OBM’s structured approach.
Self-Publishing & Marketing Resources
Reedsy
Reedsy offers a marketplace where indie authors can connect with editors, cover designers, and other publishing professionals. It also features a blog and learning resources on self-publishing, which can help you align your writing and publishing goals with professional outcomes.
KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
KDP is Amazon’s self-publishing platform. Its built-in analytics and royalty tracking allow you to monitor your book’s sales performance, set income goals, and measure marketing outcomes.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is an email marketing platform that helps authors build a mailing list, track email open rates, and set goals for reader engagement. Use it to measure the success of your book launch campaigns or to achieve audience-building goals.
Time Management & Productivity
Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method that involves working in focused intervals (usually 25 minutes) with breaks in between. It’s an effective way to maintain consistent writing progress and meet your daily word count goals.
Forest App
Forest is a productivity app that helps you stay focused by encouraging you to avoid distractions. It’s great for maintaining consistent writing sessions and ensuring you meet your weekly or monthly word count KPIs.
Data & Analytics for Authors
Book Report
Book Report is an analytics tool that integrates with your KDP account to help you track sales, royalties, and marketing effectiveness. This allows you to apply OBM principles by setting clear sales and marketing goals and tracking your progress in real-time.
Take Control with Outcome-Based Management Resources
These resources are practical and widely used by indie authors to manage their writing and publishing journey, allowing for measurable outcomes and effective goal tracking—key principles of Outcome-Based Management.
With the right tools and a clear strategy, Outcome-Based Management empowers you to take control of every step of your indie author journey—from writing to publishing to marketing. Focusing on measurable outcomes allows you to stay organized, track your progress, and adapt your efforts for maximum impact. Whether you’re setting writing goals or launching your book into the world, these OBM resources are here to guide you toward success.
Remember, the key to thriving as an indie author is not just hard work but intelligent, intentional effort. You’ve got this—let OBM be your roadmap!
We hope you’ve found the strategies valuable and motivating. We hope they’ll equip you with the insights and tools needed to help you succeed as a new author.
For more guidance on writing, publishing, and marketing your book, see other parts of this series, starting with Outcome-Based Management: 7 Steps to Writing Success AND First Principles and the 5-Step Process for Book Publishing. Also, see our recommended Writer Resources.
Writing is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. You don’t have to go it alone. We’re excited to continue the journey with you, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Our goal is to provide basic insights and practical advice to help you navigate the writing world with increased confidence.
If you have a draft you want to publish but wonder how AI can help you, read, Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? Lastly, for help writing a non-fiction book, read Write Your First Non-Fiction eBook: a 30-Day Workbook for Getting It Done.
Don’t wait. Start today! How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our contact form. Happy writing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These FAQs address practical concerns and offer additional guidance on how OBM can support indie authors.
How does Outcome-Based Management help me stay motivated as a new indie author?
OBM breaks down the overwhelming process of writing, publishing, and marketing into smaller, manageable goals. By tracking measurable outcomes like word count progress, marketing milestones, or sales targets, you can celebrate small wins along the way, which keeps motivation high and momentum going.
What if I don’t hit my publishing or marketing goals on time?
With OBM, flexibility is key. If you miss a deadline or fall short of a target, the approach encourages you to reassess and adjust your strategy. Focus on what didn’t work, make changes, and set new milestones based on your progress. This adaptability ensures continuous improvement rather than burnout.
Do I need a project management tool to use Outcome-Based Management?
While project management tools can be helpful in organizing your tasks, they’re not essential. You can use simple methods like a calendar, spreadsheet, or even a notebook to track your progress. The most important thing is setting clear outcomes, tracking them, and adjusting as needed.
How can I apply OBM if I’m working on multiple books or projects at once?
If you’re juggling multiple projects, OBM helps you prioritize by breaking each project into separate, measurable outcomes. By assigning specific timelines and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to each project, you can stay organized and prevent one project from taking over your entire schedule.
How do I know if I’m setting realistic goals for my indie author career?
When setting goals through OBM, it’s important to consider factors like your current resources (time, budget, platform) and the specific market for your genre. Start with achievable outcomes, such as completing a draft in a few months or securing a certain number of pre-orders, and then adjust them as you gather more data and experience. Setting smaller, achievable goals builds confidence and allows you to scale up over time.
