How to Make Sure Your Book Will Bring You Financial Success

Everything I~ve learned about self-publishing I~ve learned from my authors who have sent me their books to edit, design, and follow through to marketing success. I~ve noticed over the years that some of my authors do very well with their books while others never recover the cost of printing and binding. And for a few of them, not making money on the book is just fine with them. Their motive was not profit, but the opportunity to tell a story or share information.

The first book I produced was a hard-cover volume by a woman who had been a missionary physician in India her entire career. Now she had returned America for her retirement and wanted a book to sum up her memories of those years of service. It was an expensive book because she only wanted a dozen copies, and I had to find someone who would put a hard cover on them. She also wanted to illustrate it with color photos she~d brought back with her from India. This was back in 1988, in the Dark Ages of digital publishing and the dawning of self publishing as we know it today. She gave the books away to people who had encouraged her and loved her through the years. She was happy to produce the book without a trace of profit, at least as we count monetary gain.

Years later I printed a novel by an enterprising writer who talked to several of his friends, convincing them that for a small fee of around $250, as I recall, they could be forever remembered in his book. And for a clincher, he added that the book would be registered with the United States Library of Congress. In addition, he would mention their names in the book along with an expression of his gratitude. The book was paid for before the first copy was printed, and I believe he sold all of the books he printed within the next few months.

Another smashing publishing success was by a physician whose ~pocket guide~ other physicians in a medical specialty was fully sponsored by a major pharmaceutical house. If I recall correctly, the price he received from the drug company was four or times the cost of producing his book, including some complicated tables and charts.

A family physician with a huge following of patients wrote a book based on his conversations with his older patients who seemed to have a knack at enjoying their years of aging. Somehow he managed to get an endorsement by former Senator Robert Dole, and maybe that helped him as much as his popularity with his patients. I don~t know. All I know is that he came back for a second printing within a year and a half.

From these and other authors I have learned that books with one of the following elements sell better than other self-published books:

1. Local content. The more focused you are on a specific group of people who can be identified and reached by you~whether by mail or media or in person~the better your book~s chances.
2. Helpful information. If you can help your readers save money, lose weight, avoid a heart attack, or organize the clutter in their house, your book will be welcomed.
3. Real-life stories. If you present seminars or speeches, write a column, or have achieved fame or fortune, people are eager to hear about your success~even if your fame consists of your years fencing cattle on the ranch.
4. Poetry. You probably won~t become rich and famous overnight with your poetry book, but if your poems are sensitive and short and if you present them in an attractive way~you~ll sell your books. Don~t print more than 500 or 1,000 books, price them comfortably, and sell them yourself or at gift shops or specialty stores~not bookstores.
5. Fiction. Novels can be a real challenge to sell. To give yourself an advantage, try to make it local, include helpful information, base it on valid research, history or extensive personal experience. Plan your story line carefully. Make every word count.

Think long and hard about your book before you launch it as a published work. Build success elements into your book, write for the benefit of your readers, and work hard to let people know your book is ready for them. Joyce Griffith, MBA
Book Coach
www.hodi.com

Send her email at hodi@mindspring.com or call her at 800 359-9503.

Last 5 posts by Joyce Griffith

• What is a book coach and how can one help me - April 11th, 2003