Self publishing is the process of independently publishing a book without the help of a traditional publisher. This means that you have complete control over the book’s production, marketing, and distribution.
Self publishing has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it allows authors to have more control over their work and to reach a wider audience. However, self-publishing can also be a lot of work, and it’s important to do your research before you get started.
In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of self publishing books, including:
The Benefits of Self Publishing
There are many benefits to self publishing a book. Here are a few of the most important ones:
- Control over your work: As a self published author, you have complete control over the book’s production, marketing, and distribution. This means that you can make all of the decisions about how your book looks, feels, and is sold.
- Reach a wider audience: Traditional publishers often have limited resources, which means that they can only publish a small number of books each year. This can make it difficult for new authors to get their books noticed. As a self published author, you have the potential to reach a wider audience through online retailers and other channels.
- More profit: Self published authors typically earn a higher percentage of the profits from their books than traditionally published authors. This is because there are no publisher fees to take out of the equation.
The Steps Involved in Self Publishing
Self publishing a book can be a daunting task, but it’s important to break it down into smaller steps. Here are the basic steps involved in self-publishing a book:
- Produce a great book: This is the most important step of all! Make sure your book is well-written, edited, and formatted before you start the self-publishing process.
- Design a book cover: A great book cover is essential for attracting attention and selling books. Hire a professional book cover designer or use a self-service book cover creator to create a cover that will make your book stand out.
- Format your book: Your book needs to be formatted correctly for both ebook and print formats. This includes setting the margins, font size, and line spacing.
- Upload your book to a self publishing platform: There are many self publishing platforms available, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, and Smashwords. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to do your research before you choose one.
- Market your book: Once your book is published, you need to start marketing it to potential readers. This can be done through, PPC campaigns, online channels, such as social media and book review websites, as well as offline channels, such as book signings and speaking engagements.
Resources for Self Published Authors
There are many resources available to self published authors, including:
- Books and websites: There are many books and websites that offer advice on self-publishing. Some of the most popular resources include “The Self-Publishing Bible” by Michael Hyatt, “How to Self-Publish Your Book” by Joanna Penn, and “Self-Publishing for Dummies” by Joel Friedlander.
- Online communities: There are many online communities where self-published authors can connect with each other and share advice. Some of the most popular communities include the Self-Publishing Author’s Association (SPAA), the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and the Indie Author Network (IAN).
- Self-publishing platforms: Most self-publishing platforms offer resources and support to their authors. For example, KDP offers a blog, a forum, and a mentorship program.
Additional Tips
- Be patient: It takes time to build an audience and to sell books. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
- Be persistent: Keep writing and keep marketing your books. The more you do, the more successful you will be.
- Have fun! Self publishing should be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun, you’re less likely to stick with it.
Conclusion
Self publishing is a great way to get your book published and reach a wider audience. However, it’s important to do your research and to be prepared for the work involved. If you’re willing to put in the effort, self publishing can be a rewarding experience. If you have any questions, just leave a comment below. You can find some of the books that were mentioned right here and for more information about online business models, check these out.
