Do you dream of becoming a published author? Maybe you have a story that you’re burning to share with the world. Or, you might have heard that a book can play a strategic role in promoting your business or brand.
Many aspiring authors don’t want to wait months, possibly years to find an agent and a traditional publisher. Today, self-publishing is easier than ever, and savvy women can manage the entire process themselves.
Let’s get started with these 5 tips to help turn your dream into a reality.
This article is sponsored by Lisa Bennett, Author
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Get Clear on Your Goals
Do not pass Go until you’ve completed this step! Why? Because being crystal clear about your ambitions will help along the way. Each time you reach a fork in the road that requires a decision, you’ll be able to reflect on your goals. They will help you decide how much time, effort, or funds you want to invest in your self-publishing endeavor.
Critical questions to ask yourself:
- Who do I want to write a book?
- Why do I want to publish a book? (These first two questions often have very different answers.)
- What do I consider success?
- How will I measure my progress?
Some authors want to see their name in print, period. Others aim to build a self-sustaining career. Get intimate with what you hope to achieve.
Self-published author Lisa May Bennett explains: “I knew that I wanted a long-term career as an author, so it was important to me to invest sufficient time and money to cultivate a strong reputation from the jump.”
Build a Solid Foundation
Research and prepare yourself–you will not regret it. You can do this before, during, and after drafting your manuscript, but it’s best to get started as soon as you can.
A few things for your to-do list:
- Read books and articles about writing, self-publishing, and book marketing. There are lots of videos out there, too, on these subjects.
- Read books in your genre (such as biographies/memoir, romance, business and investing) to get a feel for your specific market. Study the book descriptions, examine their cover designs, and explore how the authors market themselves online.
- Join writing and self-publishing groups (there are lots on Facebook and local groups as well). Many indie authors are eager to offer advice, so don’t be afraid to ask for guidance.
- Start thinking about your author identity. Do you want to write under a pen name, or do you want the world to know the real you? Do you need a website or new social media accounts?
Bennett says: “As I built my foundation, I started thinking of myself as an author for the first time, and that served me well in the following steps. Taking yourself and your work seriously is key.”
Create the Best Possible Version of Your Book
We all have different skill levels when it comes to writing. Even famous self-published author have editors and proofreaders to make their work shine. In the current gig economy, freelancers are ready to help you produce your best work.
Before you start paying for services, put your manuscript through several rounds of self editing. If you’re new to the process, you can find free self-editing courses online.
You can also recruit volunteer beta readers to provide feedback. Ideally, these readers are capable of being objective and are interested in your genre/topic. Beta readers should report back whether your book immediately grabbed them (this is so important!), if they would recommend it to others, and identify areas for improvement. They should not act as editors or proofreaders.
If you decide to hire a professional editor at this point, get to know the different kinds of editing before you proceed. And please do your due diligence when hiring editors and proofreaders. Make sure to get recommendations from authors who have worked with them from start to finish and would do so again.
Position Your Book for Success
Positioning your book for success includes creating a package that hooks potential readers in three ways.
- Cover design is critical because that’s what people see first. It’s tempting to save money by designing your own cover, but it’s not recommended. Cover designers can be hired at pretty much any price point, but you often get what you pay for, so check their references.
- The book description, or blurb, that appears on the back cover of your book and on your online sales page is also key to drawing in readers. Many authors struggle with writing blurbs because it’s more like writing marketing or advertising copy. Luckily, online tips and tutorials are right at your fingertips.
- Formatting the internal pages of your book is a task authors can learn to do themselves, but you can also hire a formatter at a fairly reasonable rate. Because so many readers now read samples online, it’s essential that your book appear clean and professional. If someone’s made it that far, you don’t want them to give up before they hit “Buy now.”
Bennett shares: “Producing a book that would look right at home next to traditionally published books was my objective. I invested the energy and funds to make this happen, and I did not regret it.”
Take A Deep Breath
Many authors freeze when they get to the stage of taking their book public and marketing it. Pause first and celebrate the fact that you’ve completed a book–an accomplishment in itself.
If you want your book to sell, there’s still a lot of work ahead of you. You’ll need to research publishing platforms, profile your target audience, and read up on marketing tactics (there’s a wide range of options).
You will probably need to push yourself outside of your comfort zone more than once. But you’ll learn a lot about self-publishing, marketing, and yourself.
Don’t be afraid to talk about your book. Post about it on social media. Invite others into your journey by sharing updates along the way.
Try not to compare yourself to others. Someone else will always sell more books than you do, or hustle harder. Develop a marketing strategy that capitalizes on your strengths, and as you build confidence you can challenge yourself more.
“I got so much out of writing and self-publishing my first book that I wrote my second book about the process,” says Bennett. “I wanted to encourage others to share their unique stories and expertise with the world.”
Self-Published Author, Lisa Bennett documents her experience in Yes, You Can Become an Author: Writing, Self-Publishing, and Marketing Your First Book. Bennett’s book includes numerous tips and an extensive list of resources.
Lisa May Bennett
In My Unfurling: Emerging from the Grip of Anxiety, Self-Doubt, and Drinking, Lisa May Bennett explores the childhood experiences that paved the way for her decades-long drinking habit. In an engaging and relatable voice, Lisa shares how sobriety helped her cultivate self-esteem and inner peace.
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