If there’s one universal truth for indie authors, it’s this: some months feel like you’re riding the royalties rollercoaster, and other months… well, let’s just say you’re grateful for that free coffee punch card.
While book sales may be your bread and butter, relying solely on one source of income can leave you vulnerable to market changes, algorithm shake-ups, and seasonal dips. Diversifying your income streams can help you smooth out the ups and downs, build a reader funnel, and create a more sustainable author career.
Here’s how you can make it happen without breaking the bank.
Why Diversification Matters for Indie Authors
- Stability: If one source slows down, others can fill the gap.
- Reach: Different income streams help you connect with different kinds of readers.
- Creativity: New formats and platforms can spark fresh ideas for your books and marketing.
When we say “diversification,” we don’t just mean publishing your ebook in a few places. Diversifying can look like:
- Offering your book in multiple formats (ebook, print, audiobook)
- Developing different products (short stories, box sets, serials, companion guides)
- Providing services (editing, coaching, teaching)
Think of it as building a bookshelf where each shelf holds something different; if one shelf gets wobbly, the others can still carry the weight.
6 Ways to Diversify Your Author Income
1. Offer Multiple Formats of Your Books
If you’re ebook-only, consider adding paperbacks or print-on-demand hardcovers. Services like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark mean you don’t have to store inventory; you only print when a reader orders.
💡 Even adding a low-cost paperback option can appeal to readers who prefer physical books or want to gift them.
2. Sell Direct to Readers
Selling direct isn’t just about duplicating what you already sell on Amazon. The real power of direct sales comes when you pair it with exclusive extras readers can’t get anywhere else.
Some ideas:
- Bundling your ebook + audiobook together at a discounted price
- Offering signed paperbacks or digital bookplates
- Selling bonus content like short stories or character backstorie
- Packaging “behind-the-scenes” extras, like your world-building notes or deleted chapters, as paid add-ons
Direct sales also let you build closer connections with readers (and keep more of the royalties), but the exclusives are what truly make this a new income stream.
3. “Go Wide” with Distribution
If you’re exclusive to one retailer, you might be missing out on readers who simply shop elsewhere. Going wide means distributing your book across platforms like Draft2Digital, Kobo, Apple Books, and even library services like Hoopla or OverDrive.
Here’s why this helps diversify income:
- Different retailers promote books differently (for example, Kobo often features wide books more prominently in their promos).
- Libraries purchase licenses differently than consumers, creating a steady source of income.
- Some international markets prefer non-Amazon platforms, which can expand your reach globally.
Going wide isn’t just about more shelves; it’s about more opportunities for discovery and revenue.
4. Repurpose Your Content
Small tweaks to your existing content can absolutely become new products, but the key is to repackage and put a price tag on it.
Examples:
- Compile three related short stories into a mini-collection and sell it as a standalone ebook.
- Take a serialized story from your newsletter, polish it up, and launch it on Kindle Vella or Radish.
- Turn your world-building notes or writing advice into a nonfiction guide for other writers.
You’ve already done the hard work of creating the content; monetizing it in new ways makes that work pay off again and again.
5. Create Reader-Funded Extras
Crowdfunding isn’t only for big, splashy campaigns. Smaller, ongoing platforms like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee let readers support you directly in exchange for perks.
How this becomes an income stream:
- Supporters pay a monthly amount (often just $3–$5) in exchange for bonus chapters, early access, or Q&A sessions.
- Over time, even a modest base of 50 supporters at $5/month equals $250/month in recurring income.
- Readers feel like insiders and get special access, you get reliable revenue.
It’s a win-win: fans invest in your writing future, and you reward them with content they can’t get anywhere else.
6. Explore Additional Income Streams
There are many more ways to build out your author business. A few ideas that indie authors are successfully tapping into:
- Merchandise: Mugs, t-shirts, or bookmarks inspired by your characters, quotes, or worlds. Platforms like Redbubble or Printful make it easy without upfront costs.
- Speaking Engagements: Schools, libraries, book clubs, or writing conferences often pay honorariums for author talks.
- Coaching or Teaching: Share what you’ve learned about writing, self-publishing, or marketing through workshops, webinars, or one-on-one coaching.
And of course, marketing promotions and ads remain a powerful tool. Targeted email promos and Reader Reach Ads can expand your audience, which grows sales across your backlist and boosts every other income stream.
Start Small and Build
You don’t have to add every income stream at once. Pick one idea that feels exciting and doable right now. Test it for a few months, then expand. Over time, these small steps can add up to big stability.
As an indie author, you’re not just selling books; you’re building a brand, a community, and a creative business. Diversifying your income gives you the freedom to keep writing while weathering the unpredictable tides of publishing.