18 STRATEGIESFOR SUCCESSFUL SELF-PUBLISHING

Since its early days with now-classic authors like Jane Austen and Walt Whitman to its later rise in the early part of the 21st century, self-publishing has proven to be a viable option for authors who want to have control over how and when they get their books into the hands of readers. Self-publishing a book can be as easy as uploading your completed manuscript (edited or not) and creating a cover using a free template through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) on Amazon. But that isn’t the best way to become a successful self-published author.

When you decide to self-publish, you become the publisher and, ultimately, a small business owner. You are now responsible for all aspects of the book, including editing, formatting, cover design, marketing, etc. Like any small business owner, this doesn’t mean you have to do every single task yourself, but it is up to you to oversee it all from start to finish. If you want to reach as many readers as possible and make money via your books, here are 18 strategies to make your new venture a successful one.

1 Research the self-publishing industry

Before you jump into the indie-publishing pool, educate yourself so you understand both the process and the jargon. Understand there is a lot to learn; be patient and work through it in small manageable increments. This early research will provide you a solid foundation from which to build your career. Furthermore, self-publishing continues to grow and change, making some strategies that worked five years ago obsolete today. Stay current by reading books and articles and signing up for newsletters from leaders in the industry like Joanna Penn (The Creative Penn), Mark Dawson (Self-Publishing Formula), and organizations like Alliance of Independent Authors.

2 Content! Content! Content!

It goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway: . Slapping something together and making it available on Amazon without taking the time to ensure its quality is not going to be good for your readers, your writing career, or your reputation. As a self-published author, you have a responsibility to be diligent in creating