Introduction
Publishing is a writer’s gateway to their audience. In the traditional method, publishers act as channels for aspiring authors, from pitching the book to placing their work on bookstores. But traditional publishing has its cons, such as low royalty rates and limited creative control on their work.
An alternative method to this is through self-publishing, which allows authors more freedom in publishing their book. With online bookstores on the rise, more authors are opting to self-publish their book through self-publishing companies to reach their audience. In 2018 alone, the number of self-published books in the US rose to over 1.68 million, with 1.55 million in print and 130,000 digital books.
5 Common Self-Publishing Mistakes
Like traditional publishing, however, self-publishing also has its risks. If not done properly, the book can contain several errors, or book marketing efforts can fall flat. It’s important to note what mistakes to avoid before self-publishing a book.
Here are a few examples:
Underestimating Self-Publishing Costs
Self-publishing may be easier than waiting for a publisher to pick up your book, however, it also comes with its own costs. Failure to estimate these costs can negatively impact your ability to create, print, and market your book.
Before deciding to self-publish, it pays to do your research on the self-publishing procedure to ensure your success. It may also help to contact a self publishing company to get acquainted with the in’s and out’s of the whole process.
Creating Your Own Book Cover
More often than not, authors will be on their own when they decide to self-publish their book, which means that they craft the book’s contents and even in the book cover in some cases. While book covers may not seem like a crucial factor, they play a part in the book’s success.
An effective book cover can be the difference between a book that sells no copies, and a book that places on the bestseller list. Self publishing companies can help you capture the essence of the book through your book cover.
Crafting Bad/Incomplete Book Metadata
Book metadata contains the nitty-gritty details of your book–book title, author name, author description, publication date, etc. When writing a book, some authors overlook these details, which can severely impact how readers view your work. Metadata that is boring and unclear can lead readers to skip your book.
Creating a clean and relevant book metadata with the help of a self publishing company in the USA can entice readers to learn more about you and your book.
Not Listing with Popular Book Retailers
Publishing your book does not end at accomplishing the final draft, you also have to consider where you will publish your book. If your book is not listed with popular bookstores, then all your work might be wasted because no one can locate your book.
Self publishing companies take the time to reach out to known book retailers and get them to stock your book to ensure that readers can locate you on the bookshelves.
Lack of a Book Marketing Plan
If your target market is not aware that your book is published and on the shelves, you might not be able to sell more than a hundred copies. Lack of book promotion can hurt the book success and your career as a book author in the long run.
A self publishing company can help you craft a book marketing plan that secures that you can reach your audience and attract new readers. Be prepared to invest time in creating blogs, forming a list of email prospects, and acquiring reviews to drive traffic to your book.
Why Become a Self-Published Author
Control Over Your Content
You are the writer, editor, and publisher of your content. Self-publishing means that you will be in charge of what is published and what is not, bypassing the lengthy revision process.
Higher Royalties
Self-publishing also means that you get the lion’s share of the profit, without needing to allot a budget to pay for the traditional publishing services. To add, self-publishing platforms like Amazon and Apple Books pay up to 70% of the book profits to the authors.
Your Books Will Last Longer
Books published under traditional publishing houses have a limited shelf life to make way for new books. Self-publishing your book means that your work will always be available in online book stores and can be discovered even months or years after it’s published.
Set Your Own Pace
Authors can set their own pace, from pitching the book idea to finalizing the book transcript, in their own time.
Conclusion
Self-publishing can bring a lot of benefits that authors can’t enjoy under the traditional publishing method. However, it’s important to note that it is still beneficial to hire professional help, like a self publishing company, to avoid making mistakes and to ensure a successful book publishing process.
