Becoming a bestselling author is a dream shared by countless writers worldwide. While talent, passion, and dedication are crucial, the journey to literary success requires more than just a way with words. In today’s digital age, where competition is fierce and readers’ expectations are higher than ever, writers need an effective author toolkit to help them navigate the path to bestseller status. In this blog post, we’ll explore some essential tools every writer needs to become a bestselling author.
Writing Software for Authors
Reliable writing software is the foundation of every writer’s craft. While this might seem like a given, it’s important to choose tools that suit your writing style. Popular options like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Scrivener offer features like formatting, spell-check, and collaboration capabilities that are essential for creating polished manuscripts. Personally, I prefer to use dictation to create my first draft. It’s one of my essential writing tools and the only way I can write multiple books per year. Recording an audio file on my phone and then uploading it to a transcription service such as Sonix.ai or Happy Scribe helps me get my first drafts done quickly.
By the way, my MOFII wireless keyboard is the product that generates the most questions from fellow writers and curious readers. I bought it earlier this year when a single key on my laptop broke. Thanks to one of my sons for introducing me to this beauty. It’s super fun to type with and I adore the color scheme. For those reasons, this keyboard is one of my top tools for writers.
Author Productivity Tools
In today’s fast-paced world, managing time and staying organized is key. Writing and productivity apps like Evernote, Trello, and Asana can help writers outline their stories, track progress, and set achievable goals. These tools enable you to break down your writing process into manageable tasks, making it easier to stay on track and meet deadlines. Recently I discovered Sudowrite and it has helped with brainstorming plot twists, revising stale dialog, and elevating my descriptions for the story’s setting.
StoryOrigin is another author resource that offers tremendous value. It helps authors work together to grow their audience via newsletter swaps and group promotions. There’s a fantastic word count tracking tool that I adore, as well as an option for distributing ARCs to gather more reviews. StoryOrigin is cost-effective and Evan, the creator, provides top-tier customer service. Highly recommend!
Writing Process Tools
Even the most talented writers can benefit from a second set of eyes. Grammar and editing tools like Grammarly and ProWriting Aid help writers catch typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies in their work. These tools not only enhance the quality of your writing but also save valuable time during the editing process.
Bestselling Author Tools
Crafting a compelling and well-structured story is crucial for engaging readers. Plotting and story structure tools like Plottr, Save the Cat! and Scrivener’s corkboard feature assist writers in outlining and visualizing their story arcs, character development, and plot points. For me, Susan May Warren’s The Story Equation, Gwen Hayes’s Romancing the Beat, and James Scott Bell’s Write Your Novel from the Middle are three craft books that have been the most helpful.
Author Platform Tools
In today’s digital landscape, building an online presence and connecting with readers is essential. Social media management tools like Haute Stock and Plann help writers schedule posts, engage with followers, and grow their author platform, ultimately increasing visibility and potential readership. Plann is my secret weapon. Seriously, my social media game completely changed when I started using this tool. From helping me plan my strategy, to generating scroll-stopping captions (thanks, AI!!) and scheduling posts across multiple platforms, this tool truly does it all. Try it for yourself with their free 7-day trial then save $10 when you sign up.
If you’re ready to stop stressing about how to create content for social media, Haute Stock can help. This is a great marketing tool that will save money plus time, so you’ll be able to focus on creating the next bestseller. Sign up for Haute Stock and get access to thousands of beautiful stock photos, videos, and Canva templates. Avoid the overwhelm by finding a new image or video for every post and feel empowered to rock your business with confidence. Ready to get started? Use code 48bf61dedc and save 15%.
Author Website Essentials
Establishing an online hub for your work is crucial for showcasing your writing and connecting with readers. Author website builders like WordPress and E-Mail service providers like MailerLite allow writers to share insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes content, fostering a loyal fan base.
If you already have an author newsletter up and running, but you’d like help with marketing strategies or increasing your number of subscribers, I’ve learned so much from Amy Porterfield. Her podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy, is packed with excellent advice plus free resources. I’ve also been her student in List Builder’s Society and Digital Course Academy. Both are excellent author resources.
Tools for Successful Authors
In 2023, I became a Publishers Weekly Bestselling author. It’s a career milestone I’ve worked toward for over a decade. To be honest, there are some top tools for writers that money can’t buy. These are innate characteristics crucial to your success. No matter what your goals are you won’t achieve them without a strong work ethic. You need to be disciplined and motivated to write consistently and produce high-quality work.
To be successful in this industry you’ll also need a passion for telling great stories. If you don’t understand the elements that make up a compelling story, you’re going to have trouble finding the motivation to keep going.
A positive attitude and a willingness to learn are two more tools money can’t buy. It’s easy to get bogged down by the negative aspects of the writing life, but it’s important to maintain a positive attitude. Remember, every rejection is one step closer to acceptance, and every book you write is one step closer to becoming a bestselling author. No matter how successful you become, there’s always more to learn. Whether it’s learning about the business of writing or honing your craft, a willingness to learn will help you keep advancing in your career.
Online Courses and Resources for Authors
In the last four years, I’ve invested in a variety of online courses, webinars and workshops to learn how to market my books more effectively. Technology is sophisticated and trends ebb and flow, so for me, it’s important to add new skills to my author toolbox. Here are the online courses and resources that have been well-worth my time and money:
- Stephanie Kase teaches entrepreneurs and content creators how to create short-form videos. She has awesome freebies available on her website.
- Jenna Kutcher’s Goal Digger Podcast and her Pinterest Lab course are informative and practical. I’m in the process of overhauling my Pinterest account, thanks to Jenna’s fantastic insights.
- If you’re interested in learning how to be a writer and content creator without using social media, Sandy Cooper is an excellent resource. Check out her website and her podcast.
- The Writing Gals Conference
- InkersCon Digital Conference
Final Thoughts on Essential Tools for Bestselling Authors
Becoming a bestselling author requires a combination of creativity, skill, and the right tools. In today’s digital era, these tools can provide a significant advantage, helping writers streamline their writing process, improve their craft, and connect with a wider audience. By embracing these essential tools, writers can enhance their chances of achieving the coveted title of “bestselling author” and fulfilling their literary aspirations. Remember, while tools are valuable, it’s your unique voice and storytelling prowess that will ultimately capture the hearts and minds of readers around the world.
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