When you’re still not part of the self-publishing industry, things may seem easy. All you need to do is write that book and get it out there, right? Maybe you’ll hire an editor to help you polish out the draft, and everything will be as smooth as possible. Well, you’re not quite right. It’s a process, and it’s more complicated than you think.
The good news is that the self-publishing industry is open for new authors, so you have chances to be successful. In the continuation, we’ll give 7 important tips for new self-published authors.
- Your Books Will Be Your Business. Treat Them That Way!
You love writing. You want to get your words out there even if no one reads them. That’s not the attitude for proper entrance in the self-publishing industry. Your books will be products, and you need to make them sellable. There will be tons of marketing involved! Be ready to do whatever a traditional publisher would do to sell your book.
What makes the most successful authors different from the rest? How can you increase the awareness for your book once you launch it? You’ll succeed only with a good plan.
- Write for the Reader
You need to get into a business person’s mindset before you even start writing that book. What does the audience want to read? Remember: no one wants to read your personal diary. People want intriguing stories that launch them into a whole other world. It’s your job to make them glad for choosing your book over all other options they had.
Find out what your target readers are after. You can do that by reading the approvals and critiques they have for other authors. Then, write a book that would sell well.
- The Cheapest Is Not the Best
Self-publishing is attractive because it’s affordable. You don’t have to pay to get millions of copies printed and you don’t have to invest in an expensive marketing campaign. You can publish an eBook and cover the marketing even if you don’t have thousands of dollars to invest in experts.
However, you have to be careful with the cheapest options. You can get a cover designed for $5, but will that be a good cover? No. It will look cheap and unappealing.
You’ll also have to invest in professional editing, and maybe you’ll have to go for paid advertising if you want to get your book in the hands of more readers. The point is: self-publishing is a cheaper option when compared to traditional publishing, but it still costs money. If you opt for home-made design and no marketing, the results won’t be impressive.
- Consider Email Marketing
You’ll be using social media like a maniac before the launch of your book. You’ll be blogging about it, and you’ll do whatever else it takes to let people know about the launch. That’s not enough. Even if someone is interested in the teaser, they will forget all about your book after a day or two. You can’t expect them to remember the launch date, search your name on Amazon every day, and keep checking your site for more info. Ask them to subscribe!
Then, you’ll send great emails to the subscribers. You can send reminders before the big date, and give them a discount code they can use for your book. You can also send quotes and invitations to discussions on your blog.
- Hire a Professional Editor! There’s No Compromise Here
You want people to read and recommend your first book, right? Why would you expect them to do that if you launched a draft version full of logical gaps, repetitive words, and unintentional grammar flaws? You have to be professional about this. Hire an editor. That’s the one big investment you have to make when you’re self-publishing a book.
You have a friend who’s really good at English? Good for you, but you still need a professional editor. You can ask that friend for tips before sending the draft to the editor. Remember how you were supposed to treat your books as business products? Well, consider this an investment that will pay off.
- Marketing Is Not an Option
Many writers feel like their job is only to write. If you feel that way, it’s time to start searching for a publisher. If you intend to get in the self-publishing business, however, you have to be a writer and a marketing expert at the same time. Okay, maybe you don’t have to become an expert, but you’ll definitely need to invest effort in marketing.
You’ll have to do the work, and most of it will be through blogging and Goodreads. Blogging is important because it connects you to the reading audience in ways that Goodreads can’t. You can publish reviews and opinions, writing tips, and updates regarding your own book. Goodreads, on the other hand, is important for promoting your own work. Start by commenting and posting reviews, so you’ll become an authoritative member of the network. Once people start checking out your profile, they will find info about your book there.
- Be Ready to Face the Stigma
The self-publishing industry lacks professionalism. Okay, that’s not exactly the case. There are great indie authors who deliver exceptional pieces and become celebrities over time. However, the stigma is still there; people think this industry is for amateurs. You’ll need to invest a lot of effort and energy to prove them wrong.
The good news is that there are readers willing to give these authors a chance. For all the rest, well… you’ll need to write a really good book and promote it like a boss to prove them wrong.
Self-publishing is a bumpy road, but it’s an exciting journey that’s worth the risk. Are you ready to get your first book out there?
Author: Chris Richardson (Devoted writer, journalist and blogger at EssayGeeks)
Editor: Ema Jakimovska
*The information and views set out in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and standpoints of Mladiinfo International. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in the text/pictures/video therein lies entirely with the authors.
