Most indie authors who have studied the business of being an author don’t write books with the dream that we are going to make a ton of money. We write because we are driven to. We write with the dream that someday, somewhere, one of our books will be somebody’s favorite book. Or maybe our dreams go so far as our being someone’s favorite author. That’s why our days are filled with writing sprints, emotional plot twists, and the constant hustle of trying to be seen.
In fact, it is recommended that authors begin building their platform, really their visibility ecosystem, at least six month to a year in advance of their book release. Focus on the at least. That’s a long time of running a website, social media, growing an email list and possibly a blog without even publishing your book yet. In addition, many authors tend to be introverted, which means putting themselves out there is already a struggle as it is.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a book, an indie author’s content, or just want to help the people who build entire worlds in their brains to eventually share with readers, there are many ways to show your support without pulling out your debit card. Here are some meaningful zero-cost ways to uplift indie authors (and yes, they make a huge difference!):
1. Follow & Engage on Social Media
Whether it’s the Meta platforms, TikTok, Bluesky, Pinterest, or wherever else you have found interesting indie authors in the wild…follow and engage. Like, comment, repost their content. These little things can take a few seconds of your time but affect the algorithm, boosting their visibility. This helps a lot, especially when the common recommendation is to post multiple times per day(!) and authors have low social batteries.
2. Share Their Work
Word-of mouth is powerful. If you loved something, say something. Share it with your friends, your family, your book club or babysitter. Dropping “hey, I really think you’d like this” in casual conversations can ripple out into the world beautifully.
3. Leave Reviews
Reviews are an indie author’s life blood. Even a few sentences on Goodreads, Bookbub, or Amazon go a long way in making a book more discoverable. And if you haven’t read it yet, you can still mark it as ‘Want to Read!’.
4. Subscribe to Their Newsletter
I know, I know. Your inbox is inundated. Half the stuff you automatically move to junk. Believe me, I get it. But subscribing shows interest and support for the author…while opening the door to exclusive content for you. Many authors share sneak peeks, special updates and exclusive reader opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else. So subscribe, give the newsletter a read. Most authors won’t be in your inbox everyday trying to sell you something like the other emails you get are anyway.
5. Be Public With Your TBR Pile
That “Want to Read” and “To Be Read” list you’re curating is like digital magic. It helps indie authors gain traction in algorithms and looks amazing to potential new readers. Plus, when we find you you’re waiting excitedly for our book…now that makes it all worth it.
6. Feature Them on Your Socials
Okay, maybe they aren’t on your social of choice. That could be personal preference…or they could just not have the bandwidth to post all of the places while still doing all of the things. (Many authors still have full time jobs, kids, and homes to run) That doesn’t mean you can’t post about them wherever you prefer to hang out in the wild. Whether you have a blog, rock it on the ‘gram, or have friends near and far on Facebook, your link shares and shout outs can spotlight them for new eyes.
7. Request Their Book at the Library
Many libraries are open to stocking indie books if patrons request them. It’s free and supports community reads! If the author only went the Amazon route, it could take a bit more work, but if they opted for more widespread release, their book might find a cozy spot on your local library shelf in just a few days!
8. Vote in Reader Polls or Awards
Many sites run “favorite indie author” polls or community awards. Your vote could do so much to help an indie author with visibility and cred. Especially if it’s their debut, just being recognized, mentioned in the list would be a huge morale boost.
9. Create Fan Content
Whether it’s a doodle of a favorite character, a sketch of a scene from a book, a mood-board, or a playlist, creating and sharing fan-made content is a huge boost for indie authors. It shows love, spreads the word, and builds community. You don’t need to be an artist to create something that will make an indie author’s heart happy.
10. Cheer Them On
Send a kind message, comment, reply to the questions in their newsletter. Even just an “I’m so excited for this”. It may seem small, but that kind of stuff is golden level encouragement for a creator’s momentum.
Supporting indie authors isn’t about how much you spend, it’s about how much you share. These little actions keep writers showing up to the page; creating worlds, characters, and weaving magic from blank pages. So thank you! For every click, comment, and kind word. We see it. We treasure it. We keep creating because of it.
Wanna put some of these into action? You can find me at the cozy corners of the internet below! Whether you’re leaving a sweet comment, sharing a favorite post, or crafting something inspired by my world, know it means the absolute stars to me.
Photo by dlxmedia.hu on Unsplash
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