The 4 Best Strategies For Savvy Self-Publishers
By Nikki Woods
My 12-year-old son has crowned himself King of the Checker Board. When you face him you have to be ready because he is always a step ahead of his competition.
I think about him before I launch each project because I’m reminded of how important it is to be strategic if I plan to be successful.
If you’re planning on making your self-publishing experience far above average, here are four strategies that can help:
1. Examine the latest available options and determine which best suits your needs.
Determine your goals and vision for your book. Ask yourself specific questions to help provide clarity and the best way forward in your pursuit. Think about the following:
• What dream do you have for your book?
• What dream do you have for your writing career?
• What exactly would make your book a success in your own eyes?
• Is this a long-term goal or a short-term goal?
• Do you see this a sprint to the top or a well-plotted journey that could take years?
• Who is your ideal reader?
• What kind of books does your ideal reader buy?
• Where are most of those books sold?
• Will you print on demand, digitally publish (e-book), or offset print?
• Will you do everything yourself (including all the technical aspects of publishing), or hire professional help for a complete finished product?
2. Begin today.
As a self-publisher, you are competing with hundreds of authors, blogs, books, posts, tweets and updates on the internet. You have to stand out to get discovered and shared by your potential readers. Here are a few tips to get you started:
• Grow your platform. Developing a community of loyal followers takes time. Build your author platform, as a large, loyal platform often translates into book sales.
• Be yourself. Discover your own genuine voice. Don’t try to imitate someone else’s writing voice.
• Target a large market. In identifying your market, pinpoint a group that is focused and easy to reach.
• Get the word out. Think about blogging regularly for your website, sharing useful resources, pitching to national news sources and other popular blogs.
3. Put forward your best.
Your book represents you and your brand, so it is important to get it right. Seek quality editors, designers and printers. Present the most professional product possible: a good, professionally edited book; a striking cover which speaks to your genre; a compelling ad that fascinates your audience; a killer opening that will hook readers who sample; clean formatting to keep readers in the story; and a price readers won’t think twice about. In addition, update your book regularly if you choose to publish on demand.
4. Get on Amazon.
Readers search on Amazon and buy more books there than anywhere else. Keep these tips in mind in getting your book Amazon-ready:
• Get a Bestselling Author for your Forward. Having your book listed among bestsellers, especially on Amazon, will be a big boost to getting discovered in searches.
• Use keywords that are popular with your genre to maximize hits on your book.
• Utilize CreateSpace, as Amazon rewards authors who self-publish with this tool.
• Become a bestseller in your niche. While online marketers offer assistance with this, get references and be wary if the marketer promises that bestselling authors with promote your book.
You can be a success at self publishing your book but only if you’re intentional and vigilant through out the process.
It’s your move! Keep Writing!
Multi-media personality, Social Media and Personal Branding Coach, Motivational Speaker and Voice-over artist, NIKKI WOODS is the senior producer of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the most successful syndicated urban radio show in history reaching more than 8 million people on a daily basis. www.nikkiwoodsmedia.com
Thank you. Good points that will help me as I write my first book!
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