a self-publishing journey: how i became a successful indie author and how you can too
DESCRIPTION
Learn the 5 vital steps to indie author success, plus the 2 secrets that have helped me sell more books.TRANSCRIPT
Connie Rossini
A Self-Publishing Journey:
How I became a successful indie author and how you can too
Anyone can self-publish: myth or truth?
In 2011, the average indie author made $10,000.
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/may/24/self-published-author-earnings
$10,000
But half of indie authors made less than $500.
$500
My Kindle sales and borrows, first two months
$1260.52
KindleOnline PrintIn Person Print
Total Sales Income, First 2 Months
The truth is. . .
anyone can self-publish, but it takes knowledge and hard
work to self-publish successfully.
Ask yourself first, “What is my goal?”
5 Steps to Success
1. Write a great book.2. Have it professionally edited.3. Get a professional-looking cover.4. Choose a publishing strategy.5. Market for the long term.
Write a great book.
Get feedback from beta readers.
Practice.
Read and research.
Write an outline.
Join a critique group.
Have it professionally edited.
Your husband is not a professional editor—unless he is.
You will hate proofing your own book.
Poorly edited books will not sell. Period.
Get a professional-looking cover.
What is your genre?
What is the book about?
Why should I buy it?
Use 2 professional fonts
Use contrasting colors.
Add an endorsement.
Choose a publishing strategy.
Path one: e-book only.
KDP Select
Smashwords
Scrivener
Photo by Intel Free Press, Creative Commons
Path 2: paperback only.
CreateSpace
Lightning Source
Lulu
Author Services companies
Photo courtesy of Lulu.com
Path 3: e-book and paperback.
Best potential for strong sales.
Market for the long term.
10% writing and 90% marketing.
Simple marketing strategies:
Always carry a book with you.
Add your book to your email signature.
Write a press release.
Have an online presence.
My secrets:
1. Build your platform first.
2. Connect with other writers.
Build your platform first
Start a blog.
Build your email list.
Guest post on others’ blogs.
Write a free ebook
15 months after publication, 30 people a day download my book.
Connect with other writers
Use social media for connecting, not hard sales.
Catholic Writers Guild.
Indie Catholic Authors.
Christian Indie Authors, The Indie Writer’s Network, Independent Book Publishers Association.
Can you self-publish successfully?
Yes, if you’re willing to work hard.
