Enrollment for Authors
Cultivating advocates and engaging beyond the sales transactions
We’ve all been enrolled. Enrolled in high school. Maybe college. In that corporate seminar on CRM. To take that guitar class we rarely showed up for.
The enrollment I want to talk about is a metaphoric meaning of enrollment used in sales to describe a collaborative and trust-building process of, basically, winning someone over. Getting them on your side, to buy in to what you have to offer. In a way that they want to learn more and want to hear from you and maybe one day rally others on your behalf.
In the multifaceted world of authorship, we know that writing a book is just the beginning—and that ideally we are working on our craft, our publishing logistics, and our marketing and sales all at the same time.
When we go beond being solitary creators, take on the mantle of entrepreneurship, and forge ahead with experimenting with options and creating what we want for our author lives and business, enrollment is a big-picture concept that should be ever at our sides. Enrollment:
is about drawing people in;
builds trust and connection;
earns you permission to engage with others;
empowers your readers and customers;
fosters commitment;
transforms passive consumers into participants in your business, your brand;
creates passionate advocates for your books and your authorship; and
co-creates positive mutual changes.
Why does enrollment matter for authors?
Enrollment matters because as authors just about none of us can exist on passive book sales and the royalties that may dribble in from them. We need something sustainable that goes well beyond these occasional faceless transactions. Enrollment goes hand in hand with creating enduring, income-generating author lives we love. It’s key to the shift that helps us find our own business model, develop multiple streams of income, and reap the intangible benefits we long for.
Pillars of Enrollment
Here are 12 strategies authors can use to nurture enrollment, engage readers and customers, and cultivate the long-term fans and advocates that will support sustained, meaningful businesses.
