Sorting Through the Noise
So, a conversation broke out among some of my writer friends on Twitter a few days ago about all of the options for self-publishing. One such person, who has probably scoured every. Single. Blog. Post. There. Is. on the subject, lamented that the advice is often contradictory, and confusing. I get that. So let me sort through some of the noise for you.
First and foremost, don't be afraid. You are going to screw this up your first time through. If nobody has told you that, then I'm sorry. But there is just no way to do something as complicated as self-publishing without making a total mess out of your first book launch. It. Will. Happen. Stop. Being. Afraid. Of. It. Now, take a deep breath and come to terms with this fact. Once you have accepted, that like learning any new skill you will make mistakes, you can look at the first launch and your options with less stress.
Secondly, there are no right or wrong answers out there. You simply have to look at your options and see what most appeals to you.
Thirdly, if you sell more than 3 books, you are way, way, way ahead of the game. Pat yourself on the back, and move on to the next book.
Now, what to do about all those pesky things you need to do.
1) Get a checklist. Look, if you are looking for something magical to change your life, I have news for you. A checklist is your answer. Forget the power of positive thinking, of projecting your good will into the world and life will come to you. Make a checklist and then do the stuff on that list. A checklist is 4000 times more powerful than a vision board. Spend your time on the checklist.
2) Spend your money wisely. This means, in the following order for sales: book cover, line editor, book formatting, blog tour.
3) Advertising is complicated, but worth it. You need to figure out what your conversion rate is, and then set prices for your book and budget for advertising accordingly. This is a controllable. Do what you can, and what you can afford. The goal for the first few years will be to break even.
4) Work hard to build your email list. It's the best, most cost effective way to build a buying audience. It's not magic, but it is hard work. In a more traditional business, it takes three times as much money to get a new customer as it does to keep a customer. Which is why small businesses are admonished over and over again to be nice to the customer. In book sales, I think that ratio is much higher. It takes time to build an audience and you have to work at it. Keep going, don't get discouraged and provide your readers with the best books you can.
And lastly, ask yourself the hard questions. Does this approach make sense? Who do I know that is doing it well, and how do they feel about their work? Novels are not a money making business until you are a best seller. Until then, it's a lot of hustle. If you want sales, you have to work hard. It's not passive income. If you want to be read, you have to work hard, there are a lot of writers out there, your book isn't just going to jump off the shelf. But if you write well, work hard, and show up, people will buy books. And just keep doing what works.
You can do this.
But if you don't want to, then polish your book to the best of your ability. Save your pennies for a line editor, and then submit, submit, and submit everywhere you can. 1% of people get picked up. Hopefully, you will be one of them.
Love,
Melanie
3) Advertising is complicated, but worth it. You need to figure out what your conversion rate is, and then set prices for your book and budget for advertising accordingly. This is a controllable. Do what you can, and what you can afford. The goal for the first few years will be to break even.
4) Work hard to build your email list. It's the best, most cost effective way to build a buying audience. It's not magic, but it is hard work. In a more traditional business, it takes three times as much money to get a new customer as it does to keep a customer. Which is why small businesses are admonished over and over again to be nice to the customer. In book sales, I think that ratio is much higher. It takes time to build an audience and you have to work at it. Keep going, don't get discouraged and provide your readers with the best books you can.
And lastly, ask yourself the hard questions. Does this approach make sense? Who do I know that is doing it well, and how do they feel about their work? Novels are not a money making business until you are a best seller. Until then, it's a lot of hustle. If you want sales, you have to work hard. It's not passive income. If you want to be read, you have to work hard, there are a lot of writers out there, your book isn't just going to jump off the shelf. But if you write well, work hard, and show up, people will buy books. And just keep doing what works.
You can do this.
But if you don't want to, then polish your book to the best of your ability. Save your pennies for a line editor, and then submit, submit, and submit everywhere you can. 1% of people get picked up. Hopefully, you will be one of them.
Love,
Melanie
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