Writing, producing, self-publishing, and selling a book is a labour of love, and it is not something that should be taken on lightly. There are literally hundreds of things you need to do to get your book ready for the shelves. From getting an ISBN, to proofreading, to designing a cover.
Below are more top tips/things to be aware of when it comes to publishing and selling your book.
· Don’t accept No as an answer. You will hit 10 No’s before getting a Yes when it comes to promoting your book. Not everybody will welcome your book in there stores, or accept your request for an author book signing. · That opportunities lie everywhere, and it is always good having a business card which details your books information handy. · That you have to create your publicity on a budget that is probably 90% of the size of the big name authors out there. · That an author website is essential, this will promote your work, and of course to keep in touch with your readers and fans. · Self-publishing is physically and mentally draining especially if you are proofreading your work yourself. Prepare for hours of endless but meaningful work. · That promotion for your book should start before it even hits the shelves. Get the word out about your book before the launch to create buzz. · Networking both online and offline is important. Meeting new people and getting your book out there is essential even in the early stages before your book is ready. · That selling your book online is just as difficult as offline selling if not more so. If you are selling through a platform such as Amazon or similar you need to consider your costing’s and ensure you selling at a price that enables you to have a profit. · That you know the ins and outs of supplying your book to larger stores through a wholesaler. All book wholesalers charge different amounts and some even charge for storage of your book, so this is something you need to keep in mind.
Of course in addition to these areas mentioned above, I always feel it’s wise to have both a promotional/marketing plan together with a sales plan. Having targets, aims, aspirations and marketing plans/ideas written down is always good, and it helps to keep you on track.
Finally it is worth noting that there are still some people out there who are sceptical about authors who have self-published, so be prepared for some flack/stick along the way for being a writer who has done it themselves!