Self Publishing Secrets, an intro
Self-publishing is an exciting and challenging process, but it can also be quite daunting. With so many authors and books vying for attention, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. However, there are self-publishing secrets that can help you to succeed. In this article, we’ll discuss some of these secrets and provide some awesome tips on how you can implement them in your self-publishing journey.
Take the time to write a good book
The first and most important step in self-publishing is to write a good book. While it may be tempting to rush through the writing process to get your book out there, it’s important to take the time to write, edit, and proofread your work to ensure that it’s the highest quality you can muster up.
A good book is the foundation of your success, so it’s essential to get it right. Without a really great page turner, you might as well not bother. There are very few badly written books that make lots of sales. But, if they do, chances are the reviews will reveal how badly it’s written.
Have a marketing plan in place
Once you’ve written a good book, the next step is to market it effectively. It’s important to have a marketing plan in place before you publish your book.
This might include promoting your book on social media, running ads, or working with book bloggers and influencers to get the word out. The key is to be strategic and targeted in your marketing efforts to reach your target audience.
In fact, I’m going to back-track a little here. If you really, really want your marketing to succeed, then start your marketing before you write your book. This is probably the best self publishing secret I can give you.
Research your audience, genre, competition and the best selling books out there. These books are popular for a reason… it’s your mission to find out why.
Write a plan, an in depth plan, document your journey on your social media. If you can inspire readers with your journey to publication, think how many people will be itching to buy your book once it’s released.
Choose the right self-publishing platform
There are many self-publishing platforms available, each with its own set of features and benefits. It’s important to choose the platform that’s right for you and your book. Factors to consider might include ease of use, distribution options, and royalty rates. Research the different options available and choose the one that best suits your needs.
The majority of writers will choose to publish on Amazon, as it’s the biggest platform. But, you have options here. Do you want to go with print on demand or get a load of books printed ready for Amazon to send out.
If you’re unsure of which platform is best for you, I’ve got you covered. Read this article. Self publishing platforms: 7 you need to know
Invest in a good cover
Your book cover is the first thing that readers will see, so it’s important to make a good impression. Invest in a good cover that’s eye-catching and professional. If you’re not a designer, consider hiring a professional to help. A well-designed cover can help to attract potential readers and increase the likelihood of your book being noticed.
This may seem like a really obvious point but a cover really will make or break a book. And if you’re self publishing and competing against the big traditional publishers then you have to get your cover right.
Build your author brand
To succeed as a self-published author, it’s important to build your author brand. This means creating a unique identity and persona that resonates with your target audience.
Building a strong author brand can help to build a following, which can in turn help to sell more books. Consider developing a website, creating a newsletter, and engaging with readers on social media to build your brand and grow your audience.
You may struggle to think what will set you as an author out from the crowd, I certainly did. Trust me here though, there is no-one like you in the world. You have traits, characteristics, achievements and experience which makes you unique.
Write a list of as many things as you can that make you unique, and pick out the best ones. Choose some colours that represent your personality and you have the basis of a brand!
Leverage the power of reviews
Reviews are an important part of the self-publishing process and a hugely overlooked self publishing secret. Positive reviews can help to increase sales and build credibility, while negative reviews can hurt your reputation.
Encourage readers to leave reviews of your book by including a call-to-action in your book and on your website. You can also consider working with book bloggers and influencers to get reviews of your book.
Reviews can be very much like the egg scenario. Which one comes first, the chicken or the egg?
You need reviews to get sales, but in order to get reviews you need book sales!
So what’s the answer?
Build an book launch team. Get family, friends, social media followers and colleagues to join your team. You give them a free copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review they’ll post on launch day and they help to share your social media promotion posts.
Boom! Reviews and sales, phew.
Keep learning and improving
Finally, it’s important to keep learning and improving as a self-published author. The publishing industry is constantly changing, and it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.
Attend writing conferences, join writing groups, and read books on self-publishing to keep improving your skills and knowledge.
This is where I throw in a personal promotion. Join my community by signing up to my amazing newsletter and I’ll give you loads of freebies and helpful hints and tips to help you on your way.
Self Publishing Secrets, a summary
Self publishing can be a rewarding and profitable experience for authors who are willing to put in the effort. By following these self-publishing secrets, you can increase your chances of success and create a book that readers will love.
Remember to write an amazing book, have a marketing plan in place from day one, choose the right self-publishing platform, invest in a good cover, build your author brand, leverage the power of reviews, and keep learning and improving.
And if you’re still struggling drop me an email and I’ll do my best to give you a helping hand.
Until next time, happy writing!
