We’ve all taken a personality test at some point in our life. Maybe you took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and discovered that you are Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging. Or perhaps you’ve taken the DiSC test and now you know that you lean more towards steadiness than dominance. Maybe you just saw a quiz on Facebook that tells you your personality based on your favorite song.
Whatever the test, more and more people are putting stock in what your personality is. So the question is, how can you use your personality to help you become an author?
To make a profit in the uncharted territory of the 21st Century, an author has to do more than sell books out of his trunk. An author has to become more than just an author; he has to be an entrepreneur as well. We call this new breed an Authorpreneur. There are so many different paths to publishing a book that many emerging authors can get bogged down in the decision-making. Knowing your personality can help you wade these waters.
If you like working with a team and want nothing more than to see your book at Barnes and Noble then traditional publishing is for you. Luckily for you, there are established pathways you can take, familiar turns, and a plethora of past authors who can lend you their expertise.
Perhaps you have figured out that you are goal-oriented and confident, and maybe a little bit controlling. If so, traditional publishing may not be the route for you. After all, you worked hard to create this baby, spent months watching it grow, so why would you want anyone’s hands on it? Self-publishing is the road less traveled by, but it is rapidly becoming paved.
There are so many more decisions to be made, but one thing is for certain. To be a REAL Authorpreneur, you have to be Relevant, Entrepreneurial, Action-Oriented, and Literary-Focused. The good news is that there are many Authorpreneurs who can lead you down this path. In my newest book, Will the REAL Authorpreneur Please Stand Up?, 16 REAL Authorpreneurs share their personal and diverse insights on navigating the changing publishing landscape.
Find your publishing personality and follow the example of these bestselling authors. Get into your favorite reading chair and cuddle up with a book that promises to be empowering, educating and entertaining.
As always,
Happy Writing
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Sharon C. Jenkins is a Senior Publishing Consultant with Ellechor Media, editor and the Inspirational Principal for The Master Communicator’s Writing Services. The Master Communicator’s writing services provides business communication services to authors, small businesses and non-profits. For more information about Sharon or to read some of her inspirational blogs on business and authorship, go to http://www.mcwritingservices.com.
