A fast “start here” map for authors who want fewer tools, better systems, and less time yelling at dashboards.
If your author business feels messy, the fastest fix usually isn’t “learn more.” It’s “pick the right next lever.”
Product tours help because they let you see tools in action before you commit. The only catch is the same catch as Netflix: too many choices makes your brain quit.
This post solves that.
Browse the product tour library here: Product tours (Tech Tools)
Start with the problem, not the tool
Before you pick a tour, name the job you’re trying to get done.
Use this sentence:
“I need to fix __.”
Examples:
- “I need to fix my email setup.”
- “I need to fix my direct sales workflow.”
- “I need to fix my launch planning process.”
- “I need to fix the way my tools connect.”
- “I need to fix my tech stack chaos.”
Now use the map below.
If your problem is “I don’t have a system for email”
Start with tours that help you understand:
- How subscriber capture works (forms, landing pages, integrations)
- How tagging/segments actually behave
- What automations look like in real life
- How to avoid creating a list that’s impossible to maintain
What you’re aiming for: a clean welcome sequence and a simple way to sort readers without building a spaghetti monster.
Watch tours here: Product tours (Tech Tools)
After you watch, go into Campus and ask:
“I’m choosing between and . My biggest constraint is . I want my email setup to do .”
Join Campus here: Go to Campus
If your problem is “direct sales feels complicated”
Start with tours that show:
- The storefront experience (what readers actually see)
- How products are structured (ebooks, bundles, subscriptions, etc.)
- How fulfillment/delivery works
- How discounts and bundles really behave
- What maintenance looks like once it’s live
What you’re aiming for: a setup you can run without making direct sales your full-time job.
Watch tours here: Product tours (Tech Tools)
If your problem is “I can’t keep track of anything”
This is a planning / workflow problem first, not a tool problem.
Start with tours that show:
- Daily use (not just pretty dashboards)
- How tasks, due dates, and recurring work are handled
- How much setup is required
- What happens when you fall behind (because you will)
What you’re aiming for: a home base that matches how your brain works, not a productivity cosplay app.
Watch tours here: Product tours (Tech Tools)
If your problem is “I keep copy/pasting the same info everywhere”
That’s a systems problem. Automation can help, but only if you keep it simple.
Start with tours that focus on:
- Reliable integrations (not fragile chains)
- Clear triggers (what starts a workflow)
- Clear outputs (what happens at the end)
- Easy troubleshooting when something breaks
What you’re aiming for: a few high-impact workflows that remove repetitive work.
Watch tours here: Product tours (Tech Tools)
Then watch a webinar replay on automation strategy (so you don’t build chaos faster):
Weekly webinars + replays
If your problem is “I bought a tool and now I’m stuck”
Welcome. You’re not alone.
Start with the product tour for the tool you already own.
While you watch, write down:
- The exact spot you get stuck
- The feature you’re trying to use
- The outcome you want
Then bring that to Campus with a clean question:
“I’m using . I’m stuck at . I want it to __. What’s the simplest way to fix this?”
Join Campus here: Go to Campus
If your problem is “my tech stack is bloated and expensive”
This is where you stop adding things and start subtracting.
Start with tours in the category you spend the most money on (usually email, storefront, ads, or project management). The goal is to identify overlap.
Then use this rule:
If two tools do the same job, keep the one you can maintain.
If you want a full filter, this post pairs well with the tours:
Product tours (Tech Tools)
A simple 15-minute “start here” plan for product tours
Do this once and you’ll immediately feel more in control:
1) Pick one tool you already use and watch the tour for it.
2) Write down one feature you’re not using yet (but should).
3) Write down one thing you can stop doing manually.
4) Decide your next tour based on the job you’re trying to fix.
Then, if you want a second opinion, bring the question into Campus.
Join Campus 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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