Have you dreamed of becoming a published author? Self-publishing has made it possible for writers to get their books out into the world without going through a traditional publishing company. With self-publishing, you maintain full control over the entire process and can earn higher royalties on book sales. However, you’ll also be responsible for every step along the way. If you’re ready to take the self-publishing plunge, here’s a basic guide on how to self-publish your book:
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Write and Edit Your Book
The first crucial step to self-publishing is to write your book until it’s complete. Once your draft is done, make sure to have it professionally edited and proofread to eliminate any errors or typos before publication.
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Format Your Book
After editing, you’ll need to properly format the interior layout and design of your book file. This includes choosing a book size, page layout, fonts, chapter headings, and more. Make sure your manuscript follows standard book formatting guidelines.
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Create a Book Cover
A professional-looking cover design is essential for your self-published book to stand out. Unless you have design skills, it’s best to hire an experienced book cover designer to create an eye-catching, high-quality cover that fits your genre.
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Get an ISBN
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is required to sell your book through online retailers. You can use a free ISBN provided by self-publishing companies.
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Choose Publishing Services
Decide whether to use an all-in-one self-publishing company like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark. Each path has pros and cons.
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Print Your Book
Ebooks are popular, but you’ll probably want printed copies too. With print-on-demand, your book is printed as people order it so there’s no inventory upfront. Or you can order printed book copies in bulk if preferred.
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Upload Your Book Files
Submit your edited manuscript files, book cover, ISBN information, and other publishing details through whichever self-publishing service or platform you’ve chosen to use.
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Write Sales Copy
Create an engaging book description highlighting what your book is about to persuade readers. You’ll also need a compelling author bio and ideally some reviews from early readers.
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Choose Sales Channels
Decide where you want to sell your book – major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Selar, independent bookstores, your website, and/or other channels. Different services provide different distribution options.
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Set Your Price
Determine how much you want to charge for your book based on factors like page count, genre, production costs, and comparable titles. Remember retailers take a cut, so price accordingly.
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Market Your Book
Self-publishing also requires self-marketing efforts. Promote your book on social media, your author’s website, review sites, local media, and other relevant places. Leverage your network and use creative tactics to gain exposure.
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Sell, Sell, Sell!
Once your book is live for sale, don’t stop promoting it. The marketing never ends as an author! Stay engaged with readers, attend events, and continually work to sell more books.
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Final Thoughts
The self-publishing journey requires an investment of your own time, effort and money upfront. But it enables you to bypass the difficulty of landing a traditional publishing deal while maintaining full creative freedom.
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