Digital self-publishing has been an exciting development for writers. We’re able to connect with readers without worrying about the cost or logistics of distribution. We have complete control over our pricing and product. This is an industry that’s changing quickly, but the best practices for self-publishers remain the same:
Take our time. Strong writing will be our book’s best advertisement. Beta readers can help us determine any weak spots. If you need more information on a writing-craft topic, the free Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine can help you learn more about plotting, characterization, pacing, and more.
Have our book professionally edited. Beta readers are helpful, but nothing beats a good editor.
Consider getting a professional cover designer. Unless we have talent, time, and a good image manipulation software, a designer is worth the money and will help attract readers to our books. The free Ebook Services Directory is a good place to start, if you’re looking for a professional to help you with your book.
Upload the ebook to every format available (and, later, print and audio, if the book enjoys good sales). Although Amazon’s Kindle remains the most popular, don’t forget to upload your files to Barnes & Noble. Uploading a file to Smashwords ensures that your ebook is distributed to multiple types of e-readers. If your book connects with readers and shows strong sales, consider moving into print, using a service like CreateSpace. Now audio is also available to self-publishers, through the distributor ACX.
Find a social media platform that we enjoy most and build a community there. It’s important not to spam potential readers…instead, we should develop relationships online and support others.
Play with pricing. Opinions on the “right” price for ebooks changes frequently, but running our own experiments can help us sell books and increase our visibility on online retailer sites.
Write the next book. Ultimately, moving on to our next book is the most helpful thing to do. Not only does having more books ensure more visibility and help promote discoverability by readers, but it helps us improve.
What tips for self-publishers can you add to the list?
Thanks for letting me guest post today!
ReplyDeleteThe timing on this one is very useful for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for being our first guest, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteStu--Hope it was helpful. Thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteAlex--I'm honored to be!
Elizabeth - Thanks very much for that advice. I couldn't possibly agree more about ensuring that the e-book has a professional look about it. It's so annoying to read a book if it's got all sorts of formatting and other issues, to say nothing of a 'clunky' cover design. And absolutely, it's important to move on to the next book...
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex and team for this Guest post. And Congrats Elizabeth for being honored here as the first Guest post. Yes, digital self-publishing is here to stay. A great info. for the writers who wants to do self publishing. Thanks Elizabeth for sharing these info.
ReplyDeleteKeep informed
Best
Phil
Professional editing and cover design are so important.
ReplyDeleteLove your advice. I will use it.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Excellent advice, Elizabeth! Going through the cover design process has been the funnest part of the process for me.
ReplyDeleteMargot--Poor formatting is especially annoying, I think. I've run into it some, as a reader, and it's so distracting--pulls me right out of the book.
ReplyDeletePhil--Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm honored to be the first guest.
Diane--They really make all the difference, don't they?
Teresa--Good luck and thanks for coming by!
Julie--It can be fun, can't it? I'm definitely poor with design skills, so it's cool to see what cover designers come up with...and fun to play a part.
I self published an ebook - a collection of flash fiction, most of it previously published - as an experiment, and I really enjoyed the process. Working with a professional cover designer was a lot of fun, and I was thrilled with the result. :)
ReplyDeleteMadeline--It's more fun than I thought it would be. So glad it worked out so well for you!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I'm self-published and it takes a lot of work, but the rewards are great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elizabeth for all the valuable advice and inspiration both here and on your blog.
ReplyDeleteChristine--There are definitely rewards. The work is there, but the end-product is worth it.
ReplyDeleteRoland--Thanks so much for coming by and for the kind words!
Lots of good tips and yeah the best way to promote an old book is to write another.
ReplyDeletePat--Thanks! Another nice thing about writing the next book is that we can focus on being creative again and less on the selling side.
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice!
ReplyDeleteThe thought of self-publishing is both exciting and scary. But when the time is right, I'll probably take this route.
Michelle--It's a great choice for writers now, where it wasn't as great ten years ago. Times have changed...a good thing!
ReplyDeleteLove the list, Elizabeth. Taking our time is definitely key and I'm glad you put it first.
ReplyDeleteGreat pointers, also very helpful. :-)
ReplyDeleteLynda--It can be hard to put the brakes on, especially when we're excited about a project! But important.
ReplyDeleteMurugi--Thanks so much for coming by!
Good post. I've done some self publishing, but find it challenging, from the self promo perspective.
ReplyDeleteSandra--I think it's tough for most writers to promote...not really in line with our personality types. But choosing a social medium that you like better than the other choices can help make it easier. Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeleteFantastic tips, Elizabeth! Thank you ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteWith so much to do, I keep falling down on uploading to as many platforms as possible.
S.K.--Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeleteJ.L.--I totally understand that...believe me, I was a total offender with that, too. I'd say, cut back on social media for a set amount of time to work in time to upload to more publishing platforms...because the pub platforms are definitely money makers.
I can imagine that a good editor doesn't come cheap.
ReplyDeleteVery good points, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteI have most of these underway as we speak... and I'll be working on getting the others going. Finding a social media platform sounds straightforward... like Facebook or Twitter or blogs or forums... But I want to go even further.
"Write the next book." That's what I'm taking from this. I need to set my butt down and just do it already!
David - Regarding Silexare
Thanks! I'd love a list of trustworthy editors. This post comes at a great time for me, a time when I've just begun researching self-publishing after becoming incredibly excited about it. I was thinking I needed two books ready to go before publishing a first, since I am slower at writing, but maybe that's not necessary, just a goal I set for myself. So much to learn yet! Christy
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!
ReplyDeleteDWei --You'd be surprised, actually--there is a true range of prices out there.
ReplyDeleteDavid--Good luck with the next one. And starting up on social media is easy...until you get into it and start developing relationships on the different platforms. So it's one of those things that isn't as time-consuming at first as it becomes later.
Erica and christy--I think it's okay, either way--although I'd lean toward getting the first book out there.
One A Day Tech--Thanks for coming by!
Great advice, thank you. I could especially relate to the moving on to the next book part... it's hard for me after being so immersed in one project to move on to another, but I know I must.
ReplyDeleteDamaria--It's tough, for sure. But so good for us (and our writing, too)!
ReplyDelete