Self-publishing can be a wonderful experience that enables writers to publish their works with a global market opportunity. It can also be a daunting and overwhelming feat for those who don’t know where to start. Below are ten important self-publishing tasks that all aspiring authors should know.
ISBN
Your first task is to buy your own ISBN from Bowker. This identifies your book with a number, similar to your social security number. You can get one for around $125 for a single ISBN. Visit www.myidentifiers.com to learn more.
Editing
Many author groups on social media will advise you to hire a third-party to edit and proofread your manuscript. This is very important since they will assist you with producing an error-free book.
Cover
A good cover can make or break the sales of a book. Be sure to either design one yourself if you have an artistic ability, or hire a cover design professional. Remember, everyone initially picks up a book because of its appearance. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grab the attention of a potential customer.
Platform
Your next task is to grow your platform and attract fans prior to the release of your book. You can do this by blogging about the upcoming release of your book or doing a pre-launch marketing blitz. Just look at how Hollywood builds up hype before the release of a new movie. Try to do the same with your book.
Small Release
Issue a few copies of your book to friends and trusted fans to have them read it and provide you with advice. Before you spend money on a wider distribution, this method can help you eliminate any potential kinks in your work.
Blurbs
Send out advance reader copies (ARC’s) to bloggers and reviewers. They will provide feedback and you can use their testimonials as a marketing tool.
Amazon
Like it or not, Amazon is the king of kings when it comes to bookstores. You should use CreateSpace to ensure that your book is available on Amazon and Kindle.
IngramSpark
Many of the big bookstores prefer to use Ingram instead of Amazon, and for good reason. Amazon is their largest competitor! By using IngramSpark, you will be able to print your book everywhere else on the Internet and many brick and mortar bookstores will be more open to carrying your book.
Digital Distribution
There are some readers who prefer to read ebooks over printed books. For those always on the go, having an ereader app on their phone or mobile device enables them to read their favorite authors without having to lug around a lot of heavy books with them. Use Amazon KDP to reach a wide ebook market.
Read this article on how to make a book using Amazon.
BookWright
The website Blurb has a tool called BookWright which can assist authors of colorized books distribute their work in vibrant colors. Children’s books and photographic journalists should definitely take advantage of this.
Marketing
Perhaps the most important task you must do is marketing. Always be selling! Create an author’s website using WordPress. It is an easy tool and has templates you can use to get started quickly. You don’t need to be a website expert to launch a website.
Blog on your website at least once per month. Set a schedule for yourself to help remind you to always market your book and write good blogs of information that people will find valuable.
Social media distribution is also important. Whether it is Pinterest or Facebook, everyone uses social media. You can use an autopost tool like SNAP in WordPress that will automatically distribute your blog posts from your website to every social media site where you have an account.
Book fairs and author events are a great way to meet with readers face to face. We have had a lot of success with this. Speak with your local Barnes and Noble about upcoming local author events in your area. Be sure to have printed materials like bookmarks to give away.
Advertising on Amazon, Google and Facebook can also grow your sales. Set a budget and don’t exceed it. If you are not getting some return on your ad dollars, create a new ad before giving up. Sometimes the advertisement is not worded correctly or maybe you aren’t giving the market enough of an incentive to buy your book.
eMail Lists
Mail lists are an invaluable tool to get followers to remain engaged and knowledgeable about your work. Your next task is to use one of the many free apps in WordPress to create a sign-up form on your website. You can use ActiveCampaign, MailChimp or Constant Contact to name a few services that enable mail communications and list management tools. Using a service is important because they will not get blacklisted as a SPAMmer whereas your website could if you tried to use direct email as your mail list marketing source.
Do you have any great tips and advice to aspiring writers who need help getting started? Comment below!
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Always try to make your passion your profession. Most of the time we do best in things that we love most. If you cannot go for what you want you can never get it. What are you waiting?