Ready to take control of your publishing future?
Self-publishing is an industry now worth over $20 billion worldwide and growing. More and more authors are realizing that they don’t have to go the traditional publishing route to find success.
It can be done independently, and quite successfully, when the right strategies are followed.
So let’s dive in.
Publishing your own book faster, for less money and more profit, with total creative control…
But there’s a catch. There always is. You can’t just upload a Word document and call it a day.
Success with self-publishing comes from following a clear process, with the right tools and a bit of know-how.
We’ll cover all this in this ultimate self-publishing guide.
And even more.
We’ll cover everything from understanding the self-publishing process, to market research, to book marketing.
But first let’s look at why this method of publishing has become so popular.
Why Self-Publishing Is Dominating the Book Industry
The evidence is in the numbers.
In 2023 self-published books grew 7.2% to over 2.6 million titles while those put out by traditional publishers only increased to 563,019.
That’s almost five times as many self-published books than those traditionally published!
The reason for this shift? Traditional publishers are ultra-selective. They’ll only accept 2% of submitted manuscripts at most. But platforms like Amazon KDP offer every author a chance at success.
But here’s the part that’s really telling…
Self-published authors now account for 51% of all e-book sales and bring in over $874 million each year. These aren’t hobby writers – they’re building real businesses.
There are a few factors at play that allow them to do this.
Creative Freedom & Speed
Traditional publishing can take 2-3 years before your book ever hits the shelves (if they accept you at all). With self-publishing you can have your book live on Amazon in days.
You also retain complete creative control over your content, cover design choices, pricing strategy, marketing efforts, and publishing timeline.
Higher Profit Margins
While traditional publishers typically offer authors 10-15% royalties, Amazon KDP will allow you to earn up to 70% royalties on digital sales and 60% on print books.
Let’s crunch the numbers.
If you sell your book for $10 through traditional publishing, you’d only earn $1-1.50. The same book self-published? You could pocket $7.
Hard to ignore those numbers.
But self-publishing isn’t just about speed and profit.
The key to success is following a clear process.
Steps to Self-Publishing Success
There is a proven method and process that successful self-published authors follow.
As with any business, the right strategy and know-how will produce results.
Write a Book Readers Want to Read
A lot of authors dive in headfirst without market research. Before you start writing, know your audience and what sells best in your genre.
Romance, for example, sells incredibly well. Roughly 40% of books self-published on Amazon are romance novels. The trick is finding the balance between what you love to write and what readers want to buy.
Create a Compelling Book Title
Believe it or not, the right title can make or break a book before anyone even reads the first page.
Seasoned authors take the time to use AI-powered title generation tools to explore hundreds of options. Struggling with your book title? Make sure to check out squibler.io and their powerful title generator that compares against successful books in your genre.
Good titles should be:
- easy to remember and pronounce
- clear on the book’s promise
- Stand out against the competition
Invest in Professional Editing
The sign of an amateur writer is a book riddled with errors, spelling mistakes and typos. Professional editing isn’t a luxury. It’s a must.
Budget for developmental editing, copy editing and proofreading. Readers will appreciate the difference.
Design a Book Cover That Sells
The cover of your book needs to grab attention and instantly communicate the genre. Look through the Amazon bestsellers in your category and see if you can spot the visual trends.
Hint: Think of your book cover like a tiny thumbnail image.
Must-Have Tools for Self-Published Authors
Working with the right set of tools will make your self-publishing experience more streamlined and effective.
Writing Tools: Scrivener helps organize complex manuscripts. Grammarly polices for grammar errors. ProWritingAid has style suggestions.
Design Tools: Canva has book cover templates. Book Brush is good for social media book promo graphics.
Publishing Platforms: Amazon KDP connects you with millions of readers. Draft2Digital distributes to multiple retailers with one upload.
Marketing Analytics: Publisher Rocket gives keyword research and profitability. BookFunnel helps you build your email list.
Self-Publishing Marketing That Works
Publishing your book is just the beginning. Without marketing, even the greatest books will fall into obscurity.
So it’s crucial to get strategic about your launch.
Start Building Your Email List Early
One of the most common mistakes new authors make is waiting to start building an email list. You should start collecting email addresses right away by offering potential readers free content to exchange for that precious email address.
An email list of 1,000 engaged readers is much more valuable than 10,000 unengaged followers on social media.
Use Social Media Wisely
Don’t try to be everywhere at once. Focus on 1-2 platforms where your target audience is.
BookTok has surpassed 100 billion views this year and can be the launchpad for overlooked authors to find massive audiences. Instagram is a great visual platform for some genres. Share the behind-the-scenes content from your writing journey and engage in a genuine way with the community.
Optimize for Amazon’s Algorithm
Amazon favors books that sell well over a long period of time. So time your launch with your email list, pick less competitive categories and research the keywords readers actually search for.
Pitfalls to Avoid as a Self-Published Author
Even with the best intentions, self-published authors make a handful of predictable mistakes.
Releasing a Book Too Early
Cutting corners on the editing and book design front will hurt your book’s reputation permanently. Don’t launch a book until you’ve done multiple editing passes, gotten beta reader feedback and hired a professional cover designer.
You only have one chance to make a first impression with your readers.
Forgetting Genre Expectations
Romance readers expect certain story beats, thriller readers demand fast pacing and so on. Study successful books in your genre to a fault.
Being Unrealistic About Success
Self-publishing isn’t an overnight success story for most authors. It can take many years, and many books, before self-published authors begin to see significant income.
Focus on creating the best book you can, learning how to market it, and building with each successive release.
Neglecting the Business Side of Writing
Authors who approach self-publishing as an actual business are much more successful. That means understanding how to track expenses, taxes and taking your writing time seriously.
Time to Get Going: Action Steps for Self-Publishing Success
Ready to take the plunge?
Let’s make your first self-publishing book a success. Here’s your roadmap:
Phase 1
Research your market and competition. Outline your book concept.
Phase 2
Write the first draft. Get beta reader feedback. Complete professional editing.
Phase 3
Design your cover. Set up publishing accounts. Craft enticing book descriptions.
Phase 4
Launch with your marketing campaign. Start building an email list immediately. Plan your next book.
The most important step is to begin writing. Too many aspiring authors spend months reading about writing and never actually start their book manuscript.
Self-publishing is no exception. The hardest part is getting started.
So the next question is obvious…
What are you waiting for?
Author’s Note: The self-publishing revolution is here to stay. The industry is worth billions and growing every year. It won’t be long before it eclipses traditional publishing.
The choice for authors is no longer whether to self-publish, but when.