How Publication Consultants Can Help Bring More Visibility to Your Book

Have you decided to venture into the self published market?
If you answered yes, and went it alone, how successful has your exposure been?
If you haven’t been as successful as you wanted; or, are just beginning the process and are feeling lost, you may want to hire a ‘Book Shepherd’ to help you gain more knowledge and increase your chances of book sales.  Going down the new road of publishing is faster and easier when you do it with someone who already knows the way.
Here is what one of my clients had to say:
“I know real estate acquisition and management, but when it came to book publishing it was a confusing and daunting new world:  Editing, more editing, book cover creation, genres, interior book design, where to publish, pricing my book – the list goes on.  The result of hiring a publishing consultant is a stunning book that is positioning me in the media even though it won’t release until early Fall, 2015.”  Robert DeLaurentis, Flying Thru Life.
Authorship can become a long, and daunting journey if done by yourself. In recent years professional publication consultants have taken the lead to help authors better understand the publishing process and break into competitive markets.
These experts help remove the guesswork, and guide authors from start to finish including assistance in book cover design, layout, proofreading and editing, working with printers, publishing on Amazon, and so much more. Depending on your budget you can choose a firm with a full staff, or hire an independent contractor.
Imagine planning a hiking trip up a rugged mountain trail where you are traveling alone with the proper tools, but no guide. We all know what can happen in that situation. You could become lost, get into dangerous spots, and lose valuable time and money. This scenario is no different as you begin your publishing journey. Having someone lead you along the path where there may be different turns and unexpected events is crucial to your success as an author.
A good book shepherd is much like a movie producer or advertising director as the creative process is laid out step-by-step followed by the business aspects of either print or electronic publishing. Hiring a consultant can help you avoid costly mistakes, especially if you are a new author.
What is the process in working with a book shepherd or publishing consultant? Here are a few things to be prepared for ahead of time:

Save money on hourly fees with research

While rates vary depending on who you hire, do as much homework as you can ahead of time to be properly prepared and more time efficient. For example, you might need to research various consultants to learn about their backgrounds and testimonials. After finding the right fit craft a short business plan and mission statement to bring to the table and discuss. This will help them better understand your goals and needs.

Network with authors and self-publishing professionals

Get involved in forums, social media groups, writing groups, and classes to educate yourself on the business of publishing. This enables you to better understand your consultant and make better decisions together.

Create a plan of action before you make the first call

While you do not need to have every detail in place it is helpful to write out a draft of what outcome you would like from your print or eBook publication. The consultant can then collaborate with you on fine tuning the details according to their expertise.

Be flexible and work together as a team

The process will always go a lot smoother if you are open to suggestions and adjustments in your publishing plan. This will also save your budget as you allow the knowledge and expertise of a book shepherd to guide the process into the best scenario.
As the publishing industry continues to evolve it may be well worth the expense to hire a publishing consultant to remove the stress of self-publishing. You’ve put a lot of hours and hard work into creating your book, and so you will want it to end up in the best care as possible.