Royalty Hero Review: Should You Join?

If you’ve spent any time in the world of online business, you know that the hunt for a truly sustainable, scalable income stream is never-ending. Before I became a full-time internet entrepreneur earning a consistent six-figure income, I tried just about every side hustle you can imagine-affiliate marketing, dropshipping, freelancing, you name it. Some worked, many fizzled out, but each taught me something valuable about what it really takes to build lasting success online.

That’s exactly why I was intrigued when I first heard about Royalty Hero by Sean Dollwet. As someone who’s always on the lookout for new ways to diversify my income and automate my business, the promise of building a passive publishing empire-without having to write a single book myself-immediately caught my attention. But with so many “make money online” courses out there, I approached Royalty Hero with a healthy dose of skepticism and the critical eye of someone who’s seen both the hype and the hard work behind real online success.

In this review, I’ll share my honest, firsthand experience with Royalty Hero: what works, what doesn’t, and whether it truly lives up to the promise for entrepreneurs who want to add a reliable, hands-off income stream to their portfolio. If you’re serious about building a real online business and want the perspective of someone who’s been in the trenches, keep reading-this is for you.

What is Royalty Hero?

As someone who’s tried nearly every online business model out there, I was immediately drawn to Royalty Hero because it promised a clear, actionable system for making money through self-publishing-without having to be a writer myself. Royalty Hero is an in-depth online course created by Sean Dollwet that teaches you how to build a profitable publishing business using Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and related platforms. The core of the program is Sean’s “Book Stacking” strategy, which is all about publishing multiple books that build on each other, creating a brand and a loyal audience over time.

What sets Royalty Hero apart is its focus on outsourcing: you don’t need to write the books yourself. Instead, the course walks you through hiring ghostwriters, designers, and freelancers to create high-quality content and covers. From there, you learn how to select profitable niches, launch your books, market them effectively (including Amazon ads), and even scale up to audiobooks and other formats. The ultimate goal? To build a self-sustaining publishing empire that can generate recurring income-potentially even allowing you to sell your brand for a significant payday down the line.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Who Created Royalty Hero?

Royalty Hero is the brainchild of Sean Dollwet, a self-made entrepreneur who’s become a well-known figure in the self-publishing world. Sean’s story is pretty relatable: he started out working as a hotel concierge, feeling stuck in a traditional 9-to-5, and began searching for ways to make money online. After dabbling in various business models-including MLM, dropshipping, and e-commerce-he discovered self-publishing and never looked back.

Sean didn’t write his own books; instead, he mastered the art of outsourcing and reinvesting his profits, which allowed him to scale quickly. By his mid-20s, he’d built a multi-six-figure publishing business, developed the Book Stacking method, and even sold his publishing brand for $820,000 in 2021. His reputation is that of a hands-on mentor who’s been through the trenches-he’s not just teaching theory, but sharing what actually worked for him. That said, while his results are impressive, it’s worth noting that most external reviews of Royalty Hero come from affiliates or the course’s own platform, so independent feedback is limited.

Who is Royalty Hero For?

Having been around the block with online business courses, I can say Royalty Hero is best suited for a few specific types of people:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs and side hustlers who want to break into self-publishing, even if they have zero writing experience.
• Existing authors or publishers looking for a proven, step-by-step framework to scale their business and maximize their income.
• Anyone seeking a hands-off business model-if you’re interested in building an online asset that doesn’t require you to be the creative force behind every product, this course’s emphasis on outsourcing is a big plus.
• Beginners who want mentorship and community support-Royalty Hero includes access to a mastermind group, coaching calls, and a structured curriculum, which is great if you value accountability and guidance.

That said, Royalty Hero isn’t for everyone. The course is a significant investment (about $2,000), and you’ll need additional capital for outsourcing and marketing. It’s not a “set it and forget it” passive income stream-expect to put in real work, especially at the start. If you’re looking for a quick win or aren’t willing to invest both time and money, this probably isn’t the right fit. But if you’re serious about building a long-term online business and like the idea of leveraging other people’s expertise to create valuable products, Royalty Hero could be a strong option.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How is Royalty Hero Structured?

When I first got access to Royalty Hero, I was impressed by how comprehensive and well-organized the course content is. Sean Dollwet has broken down the entire self-publishing process into a step-by-step system, making it easy to follow whether you’re a complete beginner or already have some publishing experience. The course is delivered through over 30 hours of video training, divided into nine core modules, each focusing on a key aspect of building a profitable publishing business:

• Module 1: Mindset
  Lays the foundation for entrepreneurial success and helps you develop the right mindset for publishing.

• Module 2: Choosing Your Niche
  Walks you through a proven system to identify profitable, low-competition niches.

• Module 3: Creating Your Best-Selling Book
  Covers everything from hiring ghostwriters to designing eye-catching covers and conducting customer research.

• Module 4: Grow Your Fanbase
  Teaches you how to build an email list and create a loyal audience to boost your book sales.

• Module 5: Launch Your Best-Seller
  Reveals strategies for launching your book and ranking high on Amazon.

• Module 6: Amazon Ads
  A deep dive into creating, optimizing, and scaling Amazon ads, plus some advanced advertising tactics.

• Module 7: Beyond Amazon
  Explores expanding into audiobooks and other publishing platforms to diversify your income streams.

• Module 8: Automation
  Focuses on building systems and outsourcing to free up your time and create a more passive business.

• Module 9: Scaling to a 7-Figure Publishing Empire
  Shows you how to scale up by publishing more books, increasing ad spend, or leveraging your books for back-end sales.

On top of the core modules, there are bonuses like a private mastermind group, monthly coaching calls, done-for-you templates, and even a special module for international publishers.

Are Royalty Hero Students Getting Results?

One thing I always look for in any course is real student success, not just the creator’s own story. Royalty Hero does feature a number of testimonials and case studies from students who have seen impressive results. For example, there’s an interview with a student from India who made over $1.6 million from just 20 books, and he credits the strategies from Royalty Hero for helping him scale up his business. In his own words, after publishing several books and refining his approach, he was able to quit his job and eventually hit consistent five-figure months-a milestone he once thought was out of reach.

Other students highlight how the course’s step-by-step system and community support helped them go from zero to profitable publishing, even if they had no prior experience in writing or book marketing. While most of these testimonials are featured on Sean’s website or in his marketing materials, the stories do show that with effort and persistence, students are achieving real results.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Much Does Royalty Hero Cost?

Let’s talk numbers. Royalty Hero is definitely a premium investment. The main course costs $1,997, or you can opt for a payment plan of four monthly payments of $597. There are also higher-tier packages, like the Elite Package, which includes more one-on-one coaching and extra bonuses, priced at $2,600 for three monthly payments. It’s important to budget for additional expenses as well, such as hiring ghostwriters and running ads, which are essential parts of the business model.

As for the refund policy, Royalty Hero offers a 90-day action-based guarantee. To qualify for a refund, you need to show that you’ve completed at least half the course and published at least one book-so it’s not a “no questions asked” refund, but it does give you a window to try the system and see if it’s a fit for you. This policy is pretty standard for high-ticket online business programs.

In my experience, while the price tag is significant, the depth of training and ongoing support could make it worthwhile if you’re committed to building a real publishing business. Just go in with realistic expectations and be prepared to put in the work.

Praises For Royalty Hero

Over the years, I’ve reviewed countless online business courses, and I have to admit, Royalty Hero does get several things right. Here’s what stands out to me:

• Beginner-Friendly, Step-by-Step Training
  The course is genuinely accessible for beginners. Sean breaks down the self-publishing process into clear, actionable steps, from mindset and niche selection to launching and scaling your publishing business. Even if you’ve never published a book or hired a freelancer before, the modules are designed to walk you through every phase without feeling overwhelmed.

• Emphasis on Outsourcing and Automation
  As someone who values time freedom, I appreciate that Royalty Hero teaches you how to delegate most tasks-writing, cover design, formatting-to freelancers. The focus on building systems and automating your publishing business is a big plus if you’re looking for semi-passive income, not another full-time job.

• Comprehensive Resources and Support
  Beyond the core video training, Royalty Hero includes practical bonuses: done-for-you templates, a curated list of 150+ profitable niches, and access to a private mastermind group. The four included 1-on-1 coaching sessions and ongoing mentorship also set it apart from many “set it and forget it” courses.

• Lifetime Updates
  I’m a big fan of programs that don’t leave you behind when the industry evolves. Royalty Hero offers lifetime updates, so when Amazon changes its algorithms or a new marketing strategy emerges, you get access to the latest information without paying extra.

• Positive Student Experiences (on Official Channels)
  Most testimonials and reviews featured on Sean’s website and social media are glowing. Students mention making their first sales, scaling to four or five figures per month, and finally feeling confident about self-publishing thanks to the course structure and community support. While these are mostly internal reviews, the sentiment is consistently positive.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Criticisms For Royalty Hero

That said, no course is perfect-and Royalty Hero has its fair share of drawbacks, especially when you dig beyond the marketing. Here are the main issues I’ve noticed:

• High Upfront Cost and Ongoing Expenses
  At $1,997 (or more with payment plans and upsells), Royalty Hero is a serious investment. But that’s just the start-you’ll need additional cash for ghostwriters, cover designers, and especially for marketing and Amazon ads. For many beginners, the total cost can be a real barrier.

• Limited Independent Reviews and Transparency
  Most of the positive feedback comes from the course’s own site or affiliate marketers. There’s a noticeable lack of truly independent, third-party reviews or in-depth case studies from students outside the Royalty Hero ecosystem. This makes it tough to gauge how widespread the success really is.

• Refund Policy Is Strict and Changing
  While there is a refund policy, it’s action-based and reportedly has become more restrictive over time. You must complete the entire course and publish a high-content book using their methods (which can cost hundreds more) to even qualify for a refund. Some users have complained about the lack of clarity and changing terms.

• Results May Be Overstated
  Some critics point out that the income claims can be misleading. While a handful of students have seen great results, others say most books only earn a few dollars a month, not hundreds or thousands as suggested in the marketing. The reality is, self-publishing is highly competitive, and not everyone will see big wins.

• Heavy Reliance on Paid Ads and Amazon’s Platform
  Sean’s own results (and those of his top students) often depend on significant ad spend. If you’re not comfortable running ads or don’t have the budget for it, your results will likely be much more modest. Plus, you’re always at the mercy of Amazon’s policies and platform changes.

• Much of the Information Is Available for Free
  Several experienced self-publishers argue that most of what’s taught in Royalty Hero can be found for free on YouTube or blogs, especially if you’re willing to put in the research. The value here is in the structure and support-not necessarily in groundbreaking, proprietary strategies.

Should You Join Royalty Hero?

After going through Royalty Hero myself and weighing it against my years of experience in the online business world, I can say this: Royalty Hero does deliver a comprehensive, beginner-friendly roadmap for anyone serious about self-publishing. If you’re an aspiring author or entrepreneur who wants a step-by-step system, ongoing mentorship, and a supportive community, you’ll find a lot of value here. The tools, templates, and lifetime updates are genuinely helpful, and Sean Dollwet’s real-world success gives the course some credibility.

However, you need to go in with your eyes wide open. This is not a “set it and forget it” passive income stream. You’ll need to invest real time and money-not just for the course, but also for hiring writers, running ads, and ongoing marketing. The learning curve is manageable, but the competition in self-publishing is fierce, and there’s no guarantee you’ll see the kind of income highlighted in the testimonials. If you’re looking for a business model that requires less ongoing hustle, or if you’re on a tight budget, Royalty Hero might not be the best fit.

In short, if you’re passionate about publishing and ready to put in the work (and capital), Royalty Hero can give you a solid foundation. But if you want a more hands-off or affordable way to make money online, you might want to consider other options.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Royalty Hero Alternative

If you’re like me-always on the lookout for proven, flexible ways to make money online-then you owe it to yourself to check out Wealthy Affiliate. Unlike Royalty Hero, which is laser-focused on self-publishing, Wealthy Affiliate teaches you how to build a real online business through affiliate marketing. You’ll learn how to create your own WordPress website, drive free organic traffic, and promote products in any niche you’re passionate about, all while earning commissions.

What sets Wealthy Affiliate apart for me is the sheer value and support you get:

• Beginner-Friendly Training: Step-by-step lessons guide you from zero to building a profitable site, even if you have no tech skills.
• Active Community: With over a million members, you’re never alone-there’s always someone to answer your questions or give feedback.
• Tools and Hosting Included: You get access to website builders, hosting, keyword research tools, and more-all in one place.
• Affordable Pricing: There’s even a free trial, and the premium membership is much more budget-friendly than most high-ticket courses.
• Long-Term, Scalable Model: You’re building a real asset that can grow over time, not just relying on one platform or trend.

While no course is perfect (and Wealthy Affiliate has its own quirks, like an overwhelming amount of content and some outdated material), it’s hands-down the best alternative I’ve found for anyone who wants to learn how to make money online-without having to write books, spend big on ads, or invest thousands upfront.

If you’re ready to start building a sustainable online business on your own terms, Wealthy Affiliate is the platform I recommend. It’s where I’d start if I were beginning my journey all over again.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative