If you are reading this, it means that you have made up your mind to self-publish your first book. Although you may still have doubts about this publishing path, you will be surprised to know that many famous authors started here.
There is nothing wrong with being overwhelmed on your journey to self-publishing your book for the first time.
Here are some important tips you can follow to make things easier on your path to self-publishing your book.
Hire an Editor
One of the most important experts who can help you on your self-publishing path is a professional editor. A professional editor brings more to the table than simply pointing out grammatical mistakes or formatting issues.
Before hiring an editor, ensure you understand which aspect of your book needs the most improvement. Look into different types of editing and make your decision accordingly. From copy editing to line editing and proofreading, different professionals provide their services in different ways to improve your manuscript.
Design a Professional Cover
Another important thing you must keep in mind while self-publishing is the importance of your book cover. A book cover is the first thing a potential buyer sees in your book. It is a fair assumption that a book cover is an ideal tool to make a memorable first impression.
Instead of trusting your book cover to be good enough to pique the interest of your readers, it is better to trust a professional with such an important task.
Professional book cover designers have years of experience and industry knowledge to help you stand out among your competitors and resonate with your audience.
Format Your Book
Formatting your book the right way is an opportunity for you to make it look professional and consistent. The importance of formatting cannot be overlooked when you want to learn how to become a self-published author.
Whether you are printing your book or selling digital versions online, well-formatted pages can help your book stand out among its competitors. A well-formatted book ensures that your editors will not see a difference between your work and a traditionally published book.
While you can format your book by yourself, it is always a better idea for you to hire a professional to take care of this aspect of your book. They can take care of a task as tedious as editing without making you doubtful about accuracy.
Develop a Logo
Another important thing many self-publishing authors often overlook is the importance of branding with a company logo. While every reader may not remember an author’s name after reading a book from them or coming across their Instagram handle, they may remember the logo for a long time.
A brand logo improves the visual recognition of your brand. Create a logo that represents your genre and tells the reader more about you. Make sure that you use it in all correspondence, social media handles, and on the website.
Leverage Social Media
Every self-publishing author must always keep the power of social media in mind. As of February 2024, the current percentage of people using social media is 61.4% of the world’s total population. It means that novice authors who are not focused on their social media presence may be missing out on a lot of potential.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are great platforms for you to tell the world who you are and what you have to offer. Since you are on the self-publishing path, well-established platforms can also help you promote your book to your audience.
Create an Author Website
Another important step you must keep in mind while self-publishing your book is to create an author website. As a novice author, people may not know much about you. Therefore, when considering whether to buy or not by your book, their first step might be to look you up online. Of course, they will feel unsure about buying your book if they do not find you online.
In order to increase the chances of your book being discovered and purchased by the right audience, you must have an online presence. There is no platform better than your website. It is a place where readers can easily learn about you, your work, and upcoming projects.
Start Blogging
In addition to establishing your online presence, you must stay connected with your audience regularly. Of course, you cannot reach out to every follower personally every now and then. The best non-invasive way to maintain contact is by starting a blog.
A blog is not only a great way for you to stay connected with the world but also to establish yourself as an authority in your subject matter.
Remember, do not just talk about who you are and what you have been working on. Instead, you must also make the best of every chance to engage with them by responding to comments and encouraging discussions.
Use Email Market
One of the best ways to jumpstart your book marketing journey as a self-publishing author is to use email marketing to your best benefit. It can be an effective promotional tool to tell people why they should purchase your book.
You must start a newsletter, if you do not have one already, and encourage your friends and family members to subscribe and share it. The more people subscribe to your newspaper, the easier it becomes for novice self-publishers to promote their books.
Host a Book Launch
Lastly, do not forget to make a memorable impact when your book is published. Events such as a book launch ensure that your book is introduced to the world and receives the right attention from the intended audience.
A book launch event generates buzz, kickstarts sales, and boosts your brand identity as a novice author. You can consider hosting a physical event at a local bookstore, library, or an unconventional venue that aligns with the theme of your book.
Choosing a venue that resonates with your book’s content can enhance the overall experience for attendees and create a memorable connection between the event and your work.
