It is six months since I published my book. It is time to assess my status and to plan the next six month’s goals. Do you routinely assess your goals as an author or indie publisher? If you are not selling the number of books you would like, are not writing to the extent you would like, or don’t know if you are heading in the right direction, I recommend taking time and evaluating what is working or not and determining ways to improve your current strategy. Don’t have a strategy? It is never too late to create one, which is what I am doing.
For the past six month I did not have a formal strategy. Though I tracked my sales, used social media, blogged, and guest posted, I was flying by the seat of my pants. Granted, I have been on a tremendous learning curve, but I cannot continue doing what I am doing if I want to see improvements.
Start with a snap shot
Before I can create my strategy, I need to figure out just where I am. I calculated the average number of sales I receive each month and in which outlets. I looked at how I am using social media to promote my work, how often and with what consistency? I looked at my blog, the traffic it receives and the number of comments. I looked at my writing, and cringed when I realized that I have not worked on my new book for more than two months. I decided that I really have two different products—my books and my blog. Though each of these are intertwined in my author’s platform, they are separate entities and require a different set of goals.
Now that I have an accurate picture of where I am, I am ready to start setting goals.
I decide to use SMART goals, which stand for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-framed. As a technical writer, I have seen how well SMART goals worked and I want to bring the discipline of SMART goals to my writing career. If I am clear about the goals, I have a greater chance of reaching them within the desired time frame.
How to develop SMART Goals
Define the goals in very simple terms. The first goal I set is “to increase book sales by x percent each month.” Wanting to be realistic in setting this goal, I looked at the sale numbers for the past six months; the pattern is a slight increase each month. Therefore, I want to pick a number that will be above this natural monthly increment and yet attainable. To be more specific, I decide that, for the next six months, this goal is for overall sales, as opposed to sales by outlet, for example, print versus ebook, or between ebook distribution outlets. This goal is now specific, measurable (each month, I can see if I am on target), challenging but realistic, and time-framed (examine the sales monthly for six months). This goal is now a tool by which I can measure my progress. If my sales are not increasing at my desired rate, I can take actions that will lead to meeting the goal.
Define what you need to do to meet the goal. Once again, these steps need to be SMART. Instead of saying, “I will use social media to increase books sales”, I need to define specifically how I will use the social media. Will I tweet x times a day, write x number of blogs per week, etc.? I need to be realistic. Can I do all the tasks? If not, I must decide whether to change the goal or get help. By writing down the goal in such detail and then analyzing if it is doable, or even if it something I want to do it, I can determine if the goal is attainable. If not, I can chuck it and set another goal.
Define the obstacles. Once I define the goal and the procedures for attaining that goal, I need to define what might prevent me from reaching the goal. By identifying the obstacles, I can find ways to avoid them. Do I need training? Is there enough time in my schedule to accomplish the task. If not, can I automate the process or hire someone to do it? Do I have the necessary tools? For example, one of my goals is to start collecting email address on my website. This involves creating a landing page, buying software, and learning the process. My obstacles are finding the time to do to research, do the work, and learn to use the software. With these obstacles identified, I can decide whether to hire someone to create the landing page and teach me how to use the software or to schedule time to accomplish these task.
Write down the goal, procedures, and schedules.Write down the goals to help guide you and look at them daily or weekly to help keep everything in perspective. Write down the procedures. This will facilitate the your work and will be a guide for someone other that yourself to follow. Use the calendar to schedule time-framed tasks. Having it written helps make it happen.
Assess the goals Are you on track? Have you attained your goal? If not, does it need to be tweaked? If yes, congratulations.
Have you set SMART goals? How successful were you as a result? Do you have other suggestions? Please comment.
