This blog post topic was inspired by Episode 185 of Alexa’s Publishing Chat where Alexa discusses tips for authors and publishing industry professionals.

Tips for Business Longevity for Creatives

How to Keep Your Creative Business Going: Lessons from 12 Years in Publishing

Twelve years ago, I hit “publish” on my very first book, Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother. I had no idea that single decision would change the course of my life — and lead to the creation of Kat Biggie Press, Purple Butterfly Press, Write|Publish|Sell, and the Women in Publishing Summit.

Today marks the anniversary of that moment, and I want to share what I’ve learned about staying in business — and staying in love with this work — for over a decade.

Why So Many Businesses (and Authors) Don’t Make It

Let’s be honest: publishing is tough. The data shows that 65% of small businesses fail by year 10, and that 90% of self-published books sell fewer than 100 copies.

Those numbers aren’t meant to discourage you — they’re meant to remind you that you can beat the odds. The key is to treat your writing or publishing like a business and to commit for the long game.

Five Tips to Build a Business That Lasts

1. Know Your Why

You have to care deeply about why you’re doing this. Passion and purpose are what keep you showing up when sales are slow or life gets hard.

2. Diversify Your Income

In the beginning, you can’t rely solely on book sales. So how can you diversify your income? This will vary based on genre. What skills do you have? What products can become a commissioned affiliate for? What grants or writing contests can you look into? Crowd sourcing? Or maybe consider offering coaching, courses, speaking, editing, or other streams of revenue based on your expertise.

Think of your book as the beginning of your business, not the end.

3. Develop Evergreen, Discoverable Content

Create content that keeps working for you — blogs, podcasts, and SEO-rich website posts. Show up consistently and make it easy for readers to find you. You’ll definitely want a solid Content Strategy to ensure you’re visible to the ideal reader or client you’re looking for.

4. Build Systems That Sustain You

Automate, batch, repurpose. Set up tools and workflows that save time, prevent burnout, and keep your marketing consistent even when life gets messy. This takes time and work to set up initially, but once you’ve done that, you can put a lot on auto.

5. Invest in Community

Find your people. Connect with others who are doing what you do. Collaboration fuels creativity and resilience. (Need a place to start? The Women in Publishing Summit community is always open to you.)

The Power of Community and Story

Stories unite us. Community sustains us. Your business journey will be a lot more pleasant if you have a community to lift you up and provide support along the way.

Final Thoughts

Longevity in publishing takes heart, hustle, and a strong community. Keep showing up for your book, your business, and your readers. You’re not just building a book — you’re building a legacy.

Listen to the full episode now!