Writing a book may seem like a fun activity to an onlooker. However, only a writer can understand that it is a daunting task that takes motivation, dedication, and time. Of course, it is even easier to get overwhelmed when you are rooting to self-publish for the first time.
Thankfully, the facility of self-publishing has opened doors for every aspiring writer to speak their heart. Although writing and publishing a book is easier than ever, there are still some challenges that can baffle aspiring self-publishers.
Before you panic, here are some effective tips that can help you self-publish without a hassle.
1. Choose a Topic
One of the biggest mistakes novice writers make is delaying choosing a suitable title for their book. They think it is better to choose a title once you finish your manuscript. However, it is not the best decision to do so. Instead, you can write your title ideas whenever you get inspiration along the way.
Before you look for resources to search for how to self publish a book, it is always a good idea to come up with a title. You can do so by creating a part in your journal dedicated to book title ideas. This way, you will have many options as your manuscript comes to an end.
2. Hire a Book Editor
As a writer, one of the first things you must realize is that you cannot do everything alone. Many things along the way require help from other professionals for the best results. Of course, editing your book comes at the top of the list.
Editing can be a very challenging task. After all, there is a limit to how many times you can revise your work in an effort to add perfection. In such times, a book editor can help you in improving your tone, cutting down on grammatical errors and readability.
3. Create a Catchy Design
The book cover design is one of the first elements noticed by a potential reader. A good book cover design can help your book stand out in the aisle filled with hundreds of books. Hence, it is not something that you can leave in the hands of someone without relevant experience.
It is important to hire a book cover designer with sufficient relevant experience in the field. You can ask them for some sample work in the same genre as your book to judge if they will be a good match for your needs. You can also share some hand-drawn samples, such as a rose drawing guide by BIOWARS, with your designer to give them an idea of your preferences.
4. Lookout for Scams
The facility of self-publishing has opened the door for many writers to get their talents recognized. However, it has also given scammers an opportunity to benefit from the cluelessness of novice aspirants for self-publication.
There are many self-publishing scammers who may promise to publish your book but never act on it. You can avoid these unfortunate scams by being thorough with your research, reading reviews, and asking to speak to their previous clients for authenticity.
5. Start Marketing Early
Unlike publishing with traditional publication houses, the marketing journey can be a bit more challenging for aspiring self-publishers. It can be harder to get the work out about your book, but it is not impossible if you take timely steps.
There are so many ways to get the word out about your book. You can use social media platforms to your benefit, use gorilla marketing strategies, or create an author’s website as well. All these paths make you and your book more discoverable to potential readers.
6. Create a Community
One of the things that many novice writers regret is delaying the process of making a community. After all, creating a community around your project is one of the most efficient ways of marketing your book. That is one of the many reasons why experienced writers start creating a community way before their book is released.
It is not a challenging undertaking to create a community around your book. You can start by understanding the needs of your target audience. This way, you can create a better strategy to create a platform where your target audience can gather for discussions and updates.
7. Build an Email List
An email list is not an effective way for companies to market a product alone. It can also be a great tool for writers to market their books and get in touch with potential readers and stay close to your already thriving fan base. You can also build and use an email list over time with the right strategies.
You can gather the email addresses of visitors on your website by offering them something for free such as free access to your podcasts or blog. Over time, this practice can help you create a solid email list for a stronger future as a writer.
8. Set Realistic Expectations
Since self-publishing has made it possible for everyone to publish, there is a sea of content available at competitive prices. Of course, it means that you will not be able to sell millions of copies on the first attempt to become a bestseller.
However, that does not mean that you must give up hope. Setting up realistic expectations as a writer can be very helpful in planning a career path. You can be more thoughtful about the goals you set for yourself and your book. It will not happen overnight, but in time, you will achieve these goals.
9. Create Professional Relationships
Self-publishing teaches you a lot about the power of creating connections in the literary world. It can be an enlightening experience to rub elbows with other authors, publishers, editors, and literary agents. While you enjoy the experience, it is important to remember that these people can help you climb the ladder of success.
From your local independent bookstore owners to renowned literary agents, building strong relationships on your writing journey is important. They can help you grow your audience, recommend your books, give endorsements, and much more.