The Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Self-Publishing
Dallas, TX – Many self-publishing, first-time authors fail to recognize the importance of this step. If your book is intended for family and friends or as an autobiography to share with others, quality editing is not as critical. But if you want to compete with the best titles out there, finding a good editor is a must.
As a writer, you’ve spent hours and hours putting together your manuscript and you know it intimately. But you only have one perspective on the style and effectiveness of the copy. A good editor can make your book more concise, clear, and readable. And they can help you organize it in a logical and sensible way. Just as important are the basic mechanics of editing including maintaining the proper tone and tense, fixing errors in grammar and spelling, and eliminating repetitive material.
Cover Design
When self-publishing, you get to make most of the decisions about your book including its appearance. A book’s cover is critical to its success and should be left to an experienced professional. Your cover must be appropriate for the subject matter, be somewhat striking in appearance and specially prepared for printing. Along with your book’s title (and subtitle), your cover is your number one marketing tool. Most printers will help you by providing a cover template and a template for the content as well. (Some require you use their template and will not accept your book otherwise.) Keep it relatively simple but make it as effective as possible.
Don’t Forget the Back Panel
The back panel (back cover) of your book is a great place to create immediate interest and curiosity about your book. Typically, the back cover includes a picture and/or bio of the author, testimonials, and compelling reasons to buy your book. It’s a powerful marketing tool.
Printing
As a self-published author, you have a number of options when it come to getting your book printed. First is to work with a local printer. There are many advantages to this including the ability to keep a close watch on the printing process. Many authors, however, find local printers too expensive and turn to online printing services to keep per-book prices down.
Some online printers also act as “publishers” in the sense that they help with the marketing of your book (getting it placed on Amazon, etc.). Their help in this regard is very limited however and not a substitute for an effective marketing campaign.
Most online printers offer POD (print on demand) services where books are printed only when purchased (ordered). This saves the self-publishing author from maintaining inventory or buying books in large quantities. The trade off is high per-copy prices. Time and money can be saved up front by preparing your book to the printer’s specifications and requesting a proof copy before giving the go ahead to print your books.
Marketing
This is the area where a lot of self-published authors come up short. Unless you have to resources to hire someone to market your book, the job of promoting and selling your book is up to you. It’s difficult for many authors to generate the energy and discipline required to effectively market their book. You may have spent untold hours writing and refining their masterpiece, and have little energy left to “get out there” and promote your book. But no one will buy your book if they don’t know about it.
Successful authors put a successful marketing program in places during (or even before) writing their book. Developing a marketing platform of a book-specific website, blog, mailing lists and press release is critical to the success of your book.
Goodwill
In order to be a successful, self-published author, it’s important that you live up to your commitments and be as kind and cordial as you can to anyone involved with your success. If you have a speaking engagement or book signing, keep it. Take advantage of any opportunities to promote your book and talk about it to everyone you meet. Get involved with your website and blog and write a personal note when possible. Help other authors reach their goals and provide advice and support when needed.
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Phillip Crum is the Chief Idea Officer of Sir Speedy Walnut Hill located at 2414 Arbuckle Court Dallas, TX 75229, and is committed to the idea of helping small business owners do a better job of finding their next customer or client. Phillip can be reached at 214-213-7445, or via email.
Copyright © 2006-2010 Phillip Crum
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