With the competition in traditional publishing rising continuously, self-publishing a book has become an
increasingly popular way for writers to get their work out into the world. While it can be a challenging
process, the rewards of self-publishing are many.
For example, you have complete control over your work, can publish on your own timeline, and have
the potential to earn higher royalties than with traditional publishing. However, getting started can be
somewhat difficult and may need proper directions. That’s what we are going to do in this blog.
Read on as we list the top 7 practical tips to self-publish your first book and make it the best hit.
1. Start with a Clear Concept
Before you even begin writing, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the story you want to tell
or the message you want to convey. This approach will not only help you stay focused while writing, but
it will also make it easier for you to market and promote your book once it’s published.
When developing your concept, think about the genre of your book and the age group of your audience
you want to reach. Are you writing a romance novel for young adults, a memoir about your life
experiences, or a self-help book for young adults and entrepreneurs?
Once you have found your audience, it’s time to consider the tone, style, and themes you want to
include and how you want to convey your message to readers so they can understand what you are
trying to say. It will ultimately help you determine the length of your book and how you will design the
layout.
2. Choose the Right Publishing Platform
If you don’t know how to self publish a book once you have written and completed it, don’t worry. We
will take you through the whole process. In traditional publishing, you have to send your book to literary
agents and publishers to get a publishing deal.
However, that’s not the case in self-publishing. In this case, you can publish your book without the need
to find a publisher. There are multiple self-publishing platforms, including Amazon’s Kindle Direct
Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, Smashwords, and Apple Books.
When choosing a self-publishing platform, consider factors such as the platform’s fees and commission
rates, distribution channels, formatting and design options, and marketing and promotional tools.
3. Get Feedback from Beta Readers
Beta readers are individuals who read your book before it’s published and provide feedback on the
story, characters, pacing, and other important elements. They can be professionals or someone you
know from your family or friends’ circle.
Their feedback will help you identify areas for improvement and make your book stronger before it’s
released to the public. The best practice is to choose multiple beta readers from different walks of life
who actually represent your target audience.
For example, if you’re writing a young adult novel, consider selecting beta readers who are young adults
themselves and are interested in the topic you are writing about. This will help ensure that you’re
getting feedback from the people who will be most likely to read and enjoy your book.
4. Hire a Professional Editor
In the case of traditional publishing, the publisher will handle all tasks ranging from editing to book
designing. However, in the case of self-publishing, you will have to hire a professional editor by yourself.
Professional editors will be able to provide valuable feedback on everything from story structure to
grammar and punctuation, helping you to create a polished and professional finished product. However,
that can only be possible if you are hiring a qualified and reputable editor who is experienced in their
craft.
Look for someone who works in your genre and understands your vision for your book. To have a clear
idea of this thing, you can ask for samples of their work and references from previous clients.
5. Invest in a Quality Book Cover
The content on your book pages may be the most important thing about your book, but the book cover
is the first thing potential readers will see. So, it can make a big difference in whether or not they decide
to pick up your book.
If your book cover is eye-catching, visually appealing, and relevant to your book’s genre and content, the
readers will be most likely to pick your book off the shelf and take a look inside. Consider hiring a
professional book cover designer who has experience working in your genre and can create a cover that
reflects your book’s tone.
This can only be possible if you will provide them with clear direction and expectations. So, make sure to
share your ideas and vision for the cover, as well as any specific images or colors you’d like to see
included.
6. Hire a Professional Typesetter
Typesetters are professionals who handle the layout of your book and incorporate design elements into
your book’s chapters. While many self-publishing platforms offer tools and templates to help you format
your book, a professional typesetter can bring a level of expertise and attention to detail that can make
your book stand out.
They will ensure that your book is formatted correctly for print or digital publication with the proper
margins, spacing, and font sizes. They can also help ensure that your book meets industry standards for
formatting, making it easier for readers to navigate and enjoy.
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7. Plan Your Marketing Strategy
Once you have completed writing, designing, and formatting your book and are now ready to publish it,
it’s important to start thinking about your marketing strategy. Even if you’ve written the best book in the
world, readers won’t find it unless you actively promote it.
There are some things you will need to do to promote your book. First of all, make sure to create an
author platform as soon as you start writing your book. Secondly, create a solid social media presence to
connect with your potential readers.
Email marketing is also one of the most effective ways to promote your book. You can build an email list
by offering your readers a free sample chapter or other exclusive content in exchange for signing up for
your email list.