Welcome to the Coach’s Corner!
Self Publishing, Inc. offers Book Coaches to help self-publishing authors plot out and navigate their publishing journey. Book Coaches provide guidance and share insights in hopes that authors will avoid the pitfalls that they could encounter.
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If you choose to make New Year’s resolutions …
So here we are at the start of a New Year. Many of you are at the starting line, anticipating the marathon ahead that is your book’s publishing journey. For thousands of you, you’re already in the midst of your race, needing to recharge batteries for the twists and turns ahead. Here are a few resolutions for the self-publishing author’s journey.
I’ll also offer some links to corresponding information on our Web site.
1.) Resolve to be a successful self-published author.
Choose to put forth the effort to succeed. Few publish their book on a whim. This will take investments of time, energy, and money. Make informed decisions. You’d be surprised how many writers leap—usually into the waiting clutches of a vanity publisher (i.e. AuthorHouse, BookSurge, etc.)—before researching their options enough to know better.
www.selfpublishing.com/free-ebooks/
Let’s break the process into some smaller, manageable resolutions to consider. While self publishing is a DIY industry, not every author has the expertise to edit, design, print, distribute, and market their own books themselves. Be ready to get and accept help as you go.
2.) Build a roadmap with a budget.
This is not the fun part. It’s possible and important to put together a budget for what the various steps of your project may cost. Self Publishing provides professional publishing services for everything you need. Whether your spend your money with us or another service provider, you’ll want to consider costs for everything from your ISBN assignment to sound marketing.
www.selfpublishing.com/type/quiz/
3.) Buy an ISBN for your project.
Nothing says, “I’m taking this seriously” like buying an ISBN making you the publisher of your own book. Getting an ISBN is easy, inexpensive, and it never expires.
4.) Finish your manuscript.
You’re a writer. Write and go over your manuscript until you’re confident that you’ve done all you can do yourself.
5.) Get editorial feedback.
It’s important to have a professional book editor review and give you expert feedback about your book. Our Editorial Analysis is just $99.
www.selfpublishing.com/editorial/editorial-analysis/
6.) Determine the editorial integrity of your book product.
You’re the publisher. You’re ultimately responsible for the editorial content of your book. You may already know if you need help with some level of editing. If not, the Editorial Analysis will suggest editorial changes to consider and recommend if a level of editing is desirable.
www.selfpublishing.com/editorial/
7.) Define the physical appearance of your book.
Your readers want to purchase a book that looks like a professionally-designed product. Do you want your book to look like most published books—professionally designed—or is the Word document sufficient?
How many books with homemade covers and word processing interiors do you think succeed in the marketplace? How many books have you bought that look as if they were designed by the author using Microsoft Publisher or Word? Have you recommended them to your friends and colleagues?
www.selfpublishing.com/design/
8.) Order the right number of books to get started.
Your first order of books has to cover your booster list of supporters, the copies you want to send out for reviews and endorsements, and your first direct sales through your Web site, signings, etcetera. If you’re going to test the waters, make sure you have enough books to get a decent sample of feedback. The more you print, the lower your production costs and the greater your return.
www.selfpublishing.com/printing/
9.) Set up the right distribution for your title.
Take the hassle and headaches out of distribution by signing up for our Thor on-demand distribution solution and JustBookz.com bookselling Web site. Both of these options have no start up costs. Get your book listed with Amazon, Barnes & Noble’s site and available through most booksellers and distributors so that as you activate your marketing, you’ve got other listings that add credibility and availability for your book in the marketplace.
www.selfpublishing.com/marketing/thor-distribution/
Depending on the number of books you print, you may need to consider warehousing and fulfillment of your stock. We offer an excellent Storage & Fulfillment plan to help you lower your shipping costs and your home stockpile, as desired.
www.selfpublishing.com/marketing/storage/
10.) Devise and activate a comprehensive marketing plan.
Every successful marketing plan starts with a clear understanding of the offered product and its targeted audiences. You have to know it to sell it. You have to sell it to the right readers to build its success and reach your publishing goals.
Marketing is the third main part of the journey that a self-publishing author needs to focus upon. This is where too many authors falter.
You’ll want to have your own Web site and be ready to get the word out to the market that your book is published and available. Self Publishing has the Book Marketing Services to help authors more smartly market their books to the right media and audiences, and build more sales—guaranteed!
www.selfpublishing.com/marketing/getting-started/
11.) Rinse and repeat as desired.
Maybe you considered your only book product. You started this journey with no desire to write a follow up to your nonfiction title. You couldn’t imagine a sequel to your story. The more titles you publish, the greater overall success you can achieve.
The more success you enjoy, the greater the likelihood that another book idea will step out from your creative mind for attention. To a great extent, YOU will determine the level of success you and your book will achieve. Following each of these resolutions will make the self- publishing journey more rewarding and enjoyable, and the rewards all the sweeter.
12.) Finally, take your time and breathe.
There are no times frames suggested here. Your publishing journey might take three months. It might take three years. You are driving the process. You get to decide. Resolve to start (or continue) these steps in 2010, letting each take as long as it will to reach the quality you desire, and you’ll have a published work ready to introduce to your audiences when the book is ripe and ready for release…and not before.
We at Self Publishing, Inc. resolve to provide you with the expert support and services necessary to self publish the best book you can. We will continue to provide comprehensive information and real live people to help you at each step. This is a DIY publishing model, but you’re not going it alone. Let us help you make 2010 the year you accomplish your publishing goals.
Have a Happy (and Creative) New Year!
Last 5 posts by Phil Whitmarsh
- What’s That Vanity Publisher’s Promo Package Really Worth? - July 20th, 2010
- Ready to Graduate? - June 30th, 2010
- Welcome to the Coach’s Corner! - September 20th, 2009
- Are You Ready to Order or Do You Need a Little More Time With The Menu? - January 15th, 2009
