Let’s be honest, there are probably more than 10 helpful author tips
You’ve probably heard that writing your book is the easy part. You’ve also probably read about fast-track solutions to publishing your book. With just those two things alone, you’ve most likely already accumulated a lot of questions and self-doubt. Nobody wants you to know these 10 helpful author tips!
However, I do. I want you to know how the real picture of being a self-published author looks. I want these 10 helpful author tips to serve as a guide for you. As most of you know, I do not sugar-coat things. First, this is hard. Being an author takes lots of work, years of work even. If you’re willing to do the work, the outcome will be worth it. Now let’s get to it!
1. Coming up with an idea
Truth bomb, no idea is original. Somebody has already done your idea. Now before you get frustrated at me, think of this. Nobody has told your story your way. That’s the game changer. What is your special spin on it? What is the pain point you’re trying to solve for someone who picks up your book? Basically, why should someone care about your version? Don’t let this be a roadblock, use it as fuel to write the best book you can!
2. Be prepared to do a lot of writing
This could pertain to so many things, but don’t settle with your first version. It won’t be good, and neither will the second or third version. In fact, you may write 50 versions and that is OK. Do not settle because you have a deadline in mind. That deadline will change whether you want it to or not. Take your time, do the work, and don’t cut corners. Keep an open mind and don’t let your pride stand in your way of hiring people (editor and/or formatter) when you need help.
3. Find an illustrator that you like
You’ll be spending a lot of time with your illustrator. Do your research and find someone that has a style that matches your vision. This is one of the most important decisions you can make, so do not rush this step either. Also, communication, contracts, and deadlines deserve their own blog post. There are a lot of crucial pieces that need to be decided before you commit to an illustrator. Did I mention not to rush this step?
4. Legal stuff, AKA the not-fun parts
Ask yourself if you know any of these terms: ISBNs, LCCN, copyright, trademark, LLC, sales tax permits, and contracts. The next question to ask yourself is how many of these have you taken care of? If you’re in this for the long haul and want to be “legally legit”, go ahead and get some of these things taken care of BEFORE publishing. However, you’ll need to assess your needs and goals and take care of the ones that fit your business model. Yes, you are a business now.
5. Branding stuff, AKA the fun parts (also known as my favorite of the 10 helpful author tips)
Have you thought of this? Do you have a logo, brand name, brand colors, brand fonts, etc.? This is what helps you stand out and set you apart! I promise this is something you can do yourself, especially if you’re trying to save money.
6. Website and social media visibility
How will your readers find you? Do you have a website? What about social media? Do not feel like you need to be on every social media channel, pick one or two and stay consistent. The website might sound like a daunting task, but take it from someone that has zero website design experience…you can do it. There are courses out there to help you, just give yourself enough time and research before diving in. This can be another area where you can save some money. By all means, hire it out if you’re on a strict deadline or have no patience for this type of thing. I’m pretty techy in other ways and incredibly stubborn, so there’s that!
The next three are the nitty-gritty of the 10 helpful author tips
7. Funding
How in the world are you going to pay for this? Think of ways you can do a pre-order campaign. It could be Kickstarter or something else, but above all else, have a plan. Every single step of your business should have a plan with actionable steps. Run numbers over and over. I hate to keep mentioning “do your research”, but think about it. When you want to go on a vacation, buy a new car, or house, you research it. These examples and decisions aren’t made on a whim. Your book business should be the same way.
8. Printing and distribution
Being a self-published author means finding a printer. Are you going to do offset printing or print on demand? Do you even know the difference between the two? You know what I’m going to recommend…it starts with an “r” and ends with “ch”. Depending on your budget and goals, one will be a better fit for you. If you decide on offset printing, do you have a plan for distribution? The books are going to arrive and then what? Do you want to write out the addresses by hand? Probably not. Invest in a thermal label printer and thank me later.
9. Getting out there
First and foremost, think of events, school author visits, book festivals, etc. How are you going to market your book? Where is the market for your book? Think outside the box and you’ll be amazed at where your book fits! I bet you didn’t think you’d be an author, business owner, printing company, web designer, and marketing and advertising guru all wrapped into one. Nobody will know your book exists if you don’t put in the work.
It’s no coincidence that the last one is my ultimate favorite of the 10 helpful author tips!
10. The invisible secrets
This is the part that nobody talks about. Why? Not a lot of people know about it and it takes a while to learn. I call them “invisible secrets” because these are things that you do that nobody can actually see. It’s finding the proper keywords, categories, and SEO magic! These are things that run in the background that make your book discoverable by search engines. One of my favorites is Publisher Rocket for a good starting point with keywords and categories.
This is just a small snapshot of what was involved in my self-publishing journey. I’m sure there could be more than 10 helpful tips for authors. Afterall, it took me two years of research (apparently my favorite word) and lots of trial and error. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Focus on one area at a time so you don’t stress yourself out. And remember, I’m always here if you need help.
Rooting you on,
Let’s Connect
*Be sure to check out my blog, Mindset is Everything, for navigating this author journey if you’re also a perfectionist.
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