Storytelling: 4 Secrets to Building Your Author Business

“Marketing is no longer about the stuff you make, but about the stories you tell.” — Seth Godin, TED Talk: How to Get Your Ideas to Spread

In today’s fast-paced world, storytelling is more than an art—it’s a business strategy, especially for a new, indie author who treats writing as a career. As a new, indie author, you’re building a brand, attracting a loyal audience, and selling books. The secret to success?

Adapting the principles of storytelling for your author business is different from writing a novel. In this last part of our writer’s guide series on the principle and process, we’ll show you how you can make the crucial shift.

From Storytelling to Story Sharing

When someone such as Elon Musk tells the story of Tesla, he’s not just promoting a product. He’s guiding his audience on a journey, sharing a story that resonates with their desires and values. New, independent authors need to make a similar shift from telling a story to sharing a story. But what does this mean for you?

When you’re writing for your author business, you’re not only creating characters, plots, and settings for a single novel—you’re building a world that invites your audience in, engages them, and makes them a part of the journey. The hero of your story is your reader. The shift from writing a novel to writing for an author business is simple but profound: you’re telling a story and sharing an experience.

Creating a Story for Business vs. Writing a Novel

Writing a novel is often about personal expression, creating an immersive world for the reader. It’s often a linear experience where you, as the author, control the narrative from start to finish. But when you’re writing for your author business, your storytelling has a larger purpose. While it’s about the craft of writing—it’s also about creating a brand that resonates with your audience and supports your work.

1.     Your Customer Is the Hero:

In novel writing, your protagonist is the central figure of your story. In storytelling for business, your audience—your readers—are the heroes. They are the ones who go on a journey of transformation through your content, whether it’s a book, a blog, or a newsletter. Your job is to guide them with a vision of the future.

2.     Your Story Is a Sales Funnel:

While a novel has a plot with rising action, climax, and resolution, your author business story has a different arc. The goal is to lead your reader through a journey that ends with them becoming loyal customers. The plot points are interactions—reading your blog, signing up for your newsletter, purchasing your book.

3.     Your Expertise Is the Foundation:

As an indie author, you’re also an expert in your niche, whether it’s fantasy, self-help, or romance. Like Musk, who positions himself as an authority in energy and innovation, you must position yourself as an expert storyteller who understands your readers’ needs and desires.

4.     Building Community Through Storytelling:

Independent authors can’t rely on large marketing teams or corporate budgets. But you have a secret weapon: the ability to connect directly with their audience. Sharing your story means creating content that resonates with your readers, inviting them to be part of your community.

The Power of Story Sharing

The most successful businesses tell their stories. They’re sharing them in a way that makes their customers feel like they are part of the narrative. When you share your story, you’re telling readers about your latest book. You’re also inviting them on a journey with you. They are the ones who benefit from reading your book, and they are the ones who will help spread the word.

Instead of focusing solely on what you want to say as an author, focus on what your readers need to hear.

• How can you guide them through the story you’re creating?
• How can you make their lives better, their imaginations richer, or their problems solved through your writing?

Sharing Stories, Building Business

In the world of independent authorship, the shift from storytelling to story sharing can transform your writing career. While you’re a novelist, you’re also a brand builder, community leader, and entrepreneur. By sharing your story, you’re inviting readers to read your books and to become part of your journey as an author. It’s about them as much as it’s about you.

The next time you sit down to write, think beyond the novel. Think about how your story fits into the larger narrative of your author business, how it helps readers on their journey, and how it builds lasting connections with your audience. That’s the real secret to success.

We trust you’ve found these strategies both enlightening and inspirational, designed to equip you with the tools and insights to bolster your success as a burgeoning author.

For more help, read these other writer’s guides in the series: First Principles and 5 Steps for Writing Non-Fiction, First Principles and 5 Steps for Writing a Novel, AND First Principles and 5 Step Process for Book Publishing.

If you have a draft you want to publish with the help of AI, 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.

The path of writing is one filled with ceaseless learning and enhancement. You are not expected to tread this path solo. We’re thrilled to accompany you on this journey, offering support and motivation at every turn. Our objective is to deliver foundational knowledge and pragmatic guidance, enabling you to traverse the literary landscape with amplified confidence.

Don’t wait. Start today! How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our contact form. Happy writing!

FAQs About Storytelling for an Author Business

How is storytelling for business different from writing a traditional novel?
Storytelling for business focuses on the audience as the hero, guiding them through a journey that leads to engagement and sales, whereas a traditional novel primarily focuses on character development and plot.

How can I balance creativity and business goals in my writing?
By aligning your creative ideas with your brand’s values and your audience’s needs, you can write stories that are both engaging and effective at building your business.

What role does branding play in storytelling for authors?
Branding helps create a cohesive identity for your stories, making your work recognizable and building trust with your audience, who are more likely to return for future books.

How can I use storytelling to build a loyal readership?
By consistently sharing stories that resonate with your audience and reflect their journey, you create a connection that encourages loyalty and advocacy.

What’s the best way to incorporate storytelling into my marketing strategy?
Integrate storytelling into your website, social media, email campaigns, and even book descriptions to keep your audience engaged and to show them how your stories can enrich their lives.