Self-publishing my first book, The Land of I Can, I learned a lot about the process before it became a bestseller on Amazon.
A gift book that I wrote thinking women would buy it for themselves and gift it to other women, that did happen. One woman gifted a copy to a woman who was the Executive Director of the Leadership Academy mentoring 250 schools. To my surprise, through this gifting process, The Land of I Can found its way into elementary schools where it is used for character development today.
Based on the success of The Land of I Can, I was invited to co-author a second book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide on Opening and Running a Coffee Bar, where I shared my experience learned from running five coffee bar/shop locations for 10 years.
These publishing experiences continued as I wrote and published both my own books; as well as, for many clients. With each book, I learn more about how to best reach my target audience in a meaningful way.
Many authors are new to the self-publishing world, and early failures may cause them to give up. Use these lessons learned to climb over the initial hurdles in order to be successful with each publication.
1. Learn from published authors
Use the thousands of books published traditionally that can show us their process and learn from to utilize when we decide to take this on ourselves. Think of these as a blueprint or a road map to follow. Go to your book shelf and ask – Who is your favorite author and Why? What makes their work stand out from others in the same genre? Think about any books that did not resonate with you as well. This will help you hone in on your ideas in a unique way.
2. Book format matters
Depending on your subject do you want a colorful book that appeals to young readers or a more professional style? There are many different options to decide on when publishing both print and digital books. Take a look at similar books and take note on whether the size and design clearly shows you what the book is about and whether it stands out to you. If your book has a look that does not match the title and content then chances are it could easily be a ‘ready, aim, fire’ leading to a miss that is confusing leading to be easily missed both in stores and online.
3. Start with a reasonable budget and sales plan
Before choosing a publisher like Amazon find out what the initial costs are and the percentage of profits you will receive. The more you know about the initial costs and percentages of return the better you can prepare a budget. If you plan on selling at a local bookstore ask them what percentage of the book sale do they want to receive. With the right information, you will be able to price your book more accurately, which will in turn increase your sales.
4. Make more connections
We all have a circle of friends, family, and professionals we can tap into. Consider joining groups on social media as well as connecting with professional organizations in your area such as the Chamber of Commerce and your local library. The advice, ideas and networking can be invaluable when just starting out as a new author. I always like to ask a lot of questions when interacting with people, especially those who are publishers and seasoned authors.
5. Learn from those who know
Even if you have previously published a book it is well worth the time and effort to take courses, listen to podcasts, webinars, conference speakers, ect. Get as much professional advice as you can from credible, proven sources. There are many pitfalls you can avoid just by learning the ins and outs of the industry and what has worked or not through the process.
6. Take your time
An initial spark of a creative idea can cause us to want to write our ideas down quickly and get our work out to the world sooner than it should have. But the truth is you will want to invest in research, marketing, budgeting, graphic design, and even cultivating a brand following before rushing to the finish line. Give yourself extra space to really know how to write your book as well as promoting it properly.
7. Don’t give up
These days authors must go beyond email reach and cold calls. Get to know your contacts and followers on your website and social media personally. Stay in touch with them on a continual basis and offer incentives such as a sneak preview or free chapter. This will attract readers who are interested in you as the author as well as the subject matter.
8. Stop focusing on celebrity status
We all imagine being seen in the media, talking about our books, but it is okay if that never happens. The best marketing and sales tactics may not get into the local news outlets or magazines, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to attract a lot of loyal readers and sales. Focus on where you are now and do your best with what you have. Commit yourself to doing your best with the audiences you have. Over time these opportunities could follow, but be content with your current successes.
9. Appear as a seasoned author
It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-time author or have published five books. You are a professional writer, and you know your niche or genre best. Remember you have much to offer the world, and your own knowledge and experiences are unique from other writers. Self doubt and a low self esteem can hinder your self publishing efforts and comes forth when interacting with others.
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