Self-publishing is a great opportunity for people who have lost their hope in the publishing industry. It’s a fantastic way to get into the industry without having to go through the painful process of getting accepted by an agent, then a publishing company, then having to give up a good portion of the earnings to pay them. However, being successful in the self-publishing industry requires some amount of finesse. Here are some things you should know about becoming successful in the self-publishing industry.
Quality Content is Key
Fiction or not, Jason Hartman teaches that good content is the driving force behind making self-published books sell. Readers want to see quality above all else, and they deserve it for investing money into your work. Even if you market the book with exceptional marketing techniques, it’s unlikely to find success without offering something interesting and of value to the readers.
Get a Copy Editor
Interestingly enough, many self-published books are poorly edited, though they shouldn’t be. Poor editing can effect the sales of a self-published novel, especially because many readers don’t expect much from self-published books to begin with. So, get a copy editor. Not just a friend or family member, but someone who does it for a living. Freelance or professional, a copy editor can come with a hefty price, but it’s worth it if you want your book to sell.
Build a Platform
Even if you write a masterpiece, it’s not going to sell in the self-publishing world unless there’s an audience for it. Many times, it’s possible to create an audience by building a platform with social networking tools and more. Here are some examples of good platforms:
- A successful blog.
- A Twitter presence.
- A Facebook presence.
- A Pinterest following
- A newsletter.
- An e-mail list
- Group of friends/family/followers who support you.
Once your book comes out, strong platforms can be extremely beneficial when it’s time to put it on the market.
Be Aware of the Competition
The major benefit and disappointment associated with self-publishing is anyone can do it. Everyone and their dog can self-publish if they want to. While this doesn’t mean their book will be successful, it does mean something for you: it’s an extremely competitive market. In order to succeed in an extremely competitive market, it had better stick out from the bunch.
If you’re interested in learning more about the industry of independent publishing, read “3 Reasons to Begin Independent Publishing.” (Top Image: Flickr | Bitmask)
The Speaking of Wealth Team
