A guided map of the software categories authors actually use — so you can stop collecting subscriptions and start building systems that work.
Most author tech stacks don’t happen on purpose. They happen the way junk drawers happen: one “quick fix” at a time, with a growing pile of stuff you don’t use but feel weird canceling.
Product tours are our antidote to that.
We focus on tools that solve common author-business jobs, not tools that exist to impress people on the internet. The goal is simple: help you choose fewer tools, choose them more confidently, and set them up without losing a weekend to dashboard whack-a-mole.
Browse the product tour library here: Product tours (Tech Tools)
The real reason your tech stack feels chaotic
It’s usually one of these:
- You’re using the right tools in the wrong order
- You bought tools before you had a workflow
- You have overlap (three tools doing the job of one)
- You’ve never had a “home base” for how your business runs
Product tours help because they show you what a tool is actually built to do, and they make it easier to say, “Oh. I don’t need this. I need that.”
The categories we focus on (because these are the jobs authors need done)
We choose tools based on the real-world work of running an author business. Categories may grow over time, but this is the core.
Email + CRM (your communication engine)
This is the category that saves the most sanity long-term, because it keeps you from trying to remember who got what email and when.
Product tours in this category help you evaluate:
- Subscriber capture and forms
- Segmentation and tagging
- Automations (welcome flows, launch sequences, re-engagement)
- Deliverability basics and list hygiene
- Reporting that a human can understand
If you’ve ever had “five versions of a list” across two platforms, this is where you start.
Direct sales + storefronts (how money shows up)
Authors sell in a lot of ways: ebooks, print, bundles, subscriptions, audiobooks, special editions, Kickstarter rewards, and on and on.
We look at tools that support selling directly without turning fulfillment into a second job.
Product tours here help you see:
- What the storefront experience actually looks like
- What’s required to deliver files or trigger fulfillment
- How discounting and bundles really work
- How easy it is to maintain once it’s live
Ads + tracking tools (so you stop flying blind)
Ads can scale a business. Ads can also quietly burn cash while you tell yourself you’re “testing.”
We focus on tools that help you track what’s happening and make smarter decisions without drowning in numbers.
Tours here help you understand:
- What you can track and what you can’t
- What data is useful early on
- What reporting is clear vs. performative
- How tracking connects back to email and storefronts
Writing + production tools (because the work still matters)
This category is about making the actual writing and production pipeline smoother.
Tours might cover:
- Drafting and revision tools
- Collaboration and editor workflows
- Formatting and production workflows
- Asset management and file organization
The point here isn’t “write faster.” It’s “stop fighting your own process.”
Planning + project management (the home base problem)
A lot of authors are running launches, catalogs, podcasts, events, and content calendars with sticky notes and vibes.
Project management tools don’t have to be complicated. They just need to match how your brain works.
Product tours in this category help you see:
- What daily use actually looks like
- How much setup is required
- How easy it is to keep current
- What happens when you fall behind (because you will)
Automation tools (the glue)
Automation is what keeps your tools from becoming isolated islands.
We look at tools that can connect systems in a way that’s reliable and maintainable.
Tours here focus on:
- Realistic workflows (not “build an enterprise pipeline on day one”)
- Setup paths and common breakpoints
- How to keep it simple without losing power
If you’ve ever created an automation, celebrated, and then watched it break a week later for mysterious reasons, you’re in the right place.
Why we pick the tools we pick
We’re not trying to cover everything. We’re trying to cover what’s useful.
Here’s the filter we use:
1) Authors are actually using it
If no one in the author world is using it, it’s usually a sign it’s not built for our reality.
2) It solves a specific job
Tools that do “everything” usually do most things poorly. We prefer tools with a clear purpose.
3) It’s teachable
If a tool requires a deep technical background to get basic value, it might still be great — but it’s not the best fit for most authors. We prioritize tools you can learn and maintain.
4) It fits into a bigger system
The best tools don’t just work alone. They play nicely with email, storefronts, tracking, and workflow.
How to use this post as a “choose your next tour” map
Pick the job you’re working on right now:
- “I need to build my list and communicate better.” → start with email/CRM tours
- “I want to sell direct without chaos.” → start with storefront tours
- “I’m spending on ads and need clarity.” → start with ads/tracking tours
- “My process is messy and I’m always behind.” → start with planning/project management tours
- “My tools don’t talk to each other.” → start with automation tours
Then browse the library and pick one tour that matches your job:
Product tours (Tech Tools)
What to do if you still can’t decide
Don’t research yourself into paralysis. Ask inside Campus.
Bring these three things:
- The job you’re trying to do
- The tool(s) you’re considering
- The constraint that matters most (budget, simplicity, automation, reporting, time)
Join the community here: Go to Campus
Start Here (use this if you’re brand new)
Quick-start plan (15 minutes total):
1) Watch one product tour for a tool you already use: Product tours (Tech Tools)
2) Pick one webinar replay that matches a current problem: Weekly webinars + replays
3) Read one book club summary and steal one idea for this week: Book Club Summaries
Ready to jump in?
Browse the product tours here: Product tours (Tech Tools)
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