Self-publishing has skyrocketed in the last five years, with the number of self-publishing books increasing by 264 percent. This is an enormous surge in the market, with 300 million self-published books sold each year.
This method of publication is not only more accessible to all authors writing books, but it allows women to enter the market at much higher rates. Women write 67 percent of top-rated self-published books compared to just 39 percent of traditionally published books.
If you’re an author eager to write a book that gets published, read on. Here are some of the self-publishing best practices that can help you achieve your goal.
1. Don’t skimp on editing
Readers expect an edited book. While no book is perfect from either a content or grammar perspective, it’s a mistake to skimp on an editor. We recommend working with both a developmental editor and a copyeditor at different stages of the writing process. While you may want to remain as low-cost as possible, there’s nothing more important than the content you put out to the world.
2. Invest in cover design
Similarly, a cover design is your reader’s first impression of your book. It’s a reflection of the story inside and an important marketing tool. When you invest in a high-quality cover design, you elevate your book. No one can tell between self-published and traditionally published books when they both have great cover art. Unless you’re an artist or graphic designer by trade, we recommend leaving this job to a professional.
3. Find a good book distributor
There are a few options for book distribution if you choose to self-publish, and unfortunately, selecting the wrong one is a common mistake that self-published authors make. Too often, they’ll only sell through Amazon, which is a great option but not your only option. You want to find a book distributor that allows you to tap into all available markets.
For a cost-effective option, check out Ingram Spark. This print-on-demand service only prints when someone orders your book, so you don’t have to front the funds for hundreds of copies at once. They also sell to 40,000+ retailers.
4. Be realistic
Self-publishing is an awesome process for most writers. It teaches them a lot and allows them to get their story, thoughts, and ideas out to an audience. Yet, it’s important to be realistic about your goals post-publishing. Most self-published authors won’t sell millions of copies or make the New York Times bestsellers list with their first project. Approaching this self-publishing with appropriate expectations is essential to feeling proud and satisfied at the end of the day. Consider what you want this project to fulfill at the end of the day (being famous, making the NYT bestsellers list, and making millions may not be the best initial goals!).
Final Thoughts
Are you an independent author ready to take the next steps with your writing? Join Direct2Author.com today to market your books. Visit here for more information on self-publishing.
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