a self-publishing journey: how i became a successful indie author and how you can too

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.