I’ve been writing books for as long as I can remember, and there’s one thing my experience has taught me: creating more and more sales channels for your book is just as important as writing it. Sure, you can rely on publishing platforms—but are they truly reliable? Their ever-changing algorithms make life harder and harder for authors every single day.
And here’s the real question: is your author brand growing the way you want it to? What happens if their algorithms bury you into oblivion? What’s your move then?
That’s why building multiple sales channels—and having your own author website—is just as critical as the writing itself. I’ve broken it all down in detail, so read on to find out more.
Why You Can’t Rely on Publishing Platforms Alone
There’s no guarantee in anything once you start depending on others—and the publishing world is no exception. At first glance, these platforms might look like heaven, but in reality they’re more like shifting sand. They change their algorithms without notice, reshuffling rankings like a deck of cards.
For new authors, it creates a dangerous illusion: seeing your book on the first page feels like a breakthrough, but that spotlight can vanish in seconds. They don’t care whether you’re a fresh voice or a seasoned pro; with a single tweak, they can push you aside, tanking your career and crushing your sales. The truth is, these platforms only care about themselves and the revenue they generate—not you. And to top it off, you get almost zero real author brand through them.
They’re an illusion, my friend. Living in their world alone can cost you far more than you realize.
The Algorithm Trap
Here’s the trap most authors fall into: they think visibility on a platform means security. It doesn’t. That visibility isn’t yours—it belongs to the algorithm. And algorithms are ruthless. One day you’re ranking high, the next day you’re gone, not because your book suddenly sucks, but because the system decided to move the spotlight somewhere else.
That’s the danger. You build your career on their rules, and their rules change whenever they feel like it. No warning, no explanation. Your sales crash, your momentum dies, and your author brand suffers because you never owned the stage in the first place.
The only way out of this trap is control. That means creating your own ecosystem, your own space online. Investing in the best author website design services gives you that control—your books, your audience, your brand, all in one place where no algorithm can bury you.
Building Multiple Sales Channels
Direct-to-Reader Options
The smartest thing you can do is go straight to your readers. The best way to pull that off is with an author website, built with the top author website design services in the industry—so you avoid the rookie mistakes most new authors make. Add a newsletter, and now you’ve got direct access to your audience with zero algorithms standing in the way. This site also becomes the strongest place to grow your author brand—think of it as your digital headquarters.
Alternative Marketplaces
Don’t stop at the big players. Niche eBook stores, audiobook platforms, and print-on-demand give you fresh ways to reach readers—and they don’t require begging algorithms for attention. Each channel is another layer of protection for your writing career while also playing a part towards your author brand.
The Power of an Author Website
Your author website is your digital home base—the one place where no platform change can touch you. Algorithms can shift, rankings can collapse, and publishing platforms can bury you, but your website stays yours. It’s where your readers know they can always find you, your books, and your message. Think of it as planting a flag in the digital world.
An author website also gives you control over how you present yourself. You’re not just showing books—you’re showcasing your services, your story, and your author brand. It’s where you look professional, where you build trust, and where you remind readers you’re more than just another name lost in a crowded marketplace.
Must-Have Features
First, you need a proper bookstore or shop integration. Don’t just link out—sell directly. Readers love the chance to buy straight from the author, and you keep more profit in your pocket.
Second, a blog or content hub. This isn’t just filler—it’s fuel for SEO and discovery. Every post is a chance for new readers to stumble across you, not because an algorithm decided it, but because you’ve built something searchable and lasting.
And finally, the mailing list sign-up funnel. This is the golden ticket. A strong newsletter means direct communication with your readers whenever you want—no gatekeepers, no platform rules.
Practical Steps to Monetize Your IP
Owning your stories means you’re holding more than just books—you’re holding intellectual property with the power to expand your career and elevate your author brand. If you only publish in one format, you’re leaving money on the table. Repurpose your work into audiobooks, translations, or limited-edition hardcovers and watch new revenue streams open up. Bundle box sets or creates subscription models to give readers more value while keeping them tied closer to your world. And don’t stop at books—licensing your IP for film, comics, or merchandise can take your brand further than you ever imagined.
But none of this works if you’re still trapped in platform dependency. You need your own digital headquarters—your website—where you control how your brand is seen and sold. This is why so many smart authors hire website book website designers to build professional, high-performing sites that showcase their work, anchor their IP, and create a lasting brand presence no algorithm can erase.
Conclusion
Relying on publishing platforms alone is like building your house on shifting sand—the ground can vanish beneath you at any moment. The authors who thrive in 2025 and beyond are the ones who refuse to play by algorithms alone. They take ownership of their work, their sales, and their audience by creating multiple sales channels and anchoring their brand with a professional author website.
Your intellectual property is more than just a book—it’s a brand, a business, and a launchpad for limitless opportunities. When you diversify your sales streams, build direct connections with readers, and showcase your brand on your own digital home base, you create a career no algorithm can bury. The question isn’t if you should expand beyond books, but how soon you’re ready to step into the driver’s seat of your author career.
Key Questions About Monetizing Your IP
Q1. Why shouldn’t I rely only on publishing platforms?
Because platforms change algorithms constantly, making your visibility and income unstable. Building your own website and sales channels gives you control.
Q2. How does an author website help build my brand?
A website acts as your digital headquarters—where readers can always find your books, services, and updates. It makes you look professional and strengthens your brand identity.
Q3. What are some ways to monetize my IP beyond books?
You can repurpose content into audiobooks, translations, merchandise, subscription models, or even licensing for film and comics. Each channel opens new revenue streams.
Q4. Do I really need a newsletter as an author?
Yes. A newsletter gives you direct communication with readers, free from algorithms and gatekeepers. It’s one of the most powerful long-term tools you can build.
Q5. What features should an author website have?
At minimum: an integrated bookstore, a blog/content hub for SEO, and a mailing list sign-up funnel to capture and nurture readers.