What Is Self-Publishing Your Own Book?

Not long ago Servant Jones asked me about self-publishing and using companies such as Xlibris, E-Booktime or Dog Ear Publishing, below is my response. It should be noted that among other things the Servant Jones stated "I don't have much money, I'm just trying to realize my life long dream of publishing my first book and I have a small buzz of people maybe 200 or so who are waiting to read it."

When I speak of self-publishing I speak of the author starting and running their own publishing company and growing from there. With that in mind when I speak of self-publishing I speak of the author taking full control of their own destiny with the will of the Creator and the sanction of the ancestors.

You have with in you the ability to make it happen if only you Think, Plan and Execute. If you take the road I and many others have taken to truly self-publish your own books you maintain complete creative control over your content and layout design. Additionally, you are able to keep more of the profit vs. what you would get using a company such as Xlibris, E-Bootime or Dog Ear Publishing. Your upfront cost may be slightly higher, but you stand to make substantially more than you would per book sold than if you were using one of the companies mentioned above.

In How to Self-Publish for Profit I take you through the steps that I use to publish my own books. To date I've published six (6) books and there's no sign of letting up now, were on a roll. You'll also find a wealth of information and resources in BOOK PIMPING and Make Money Self Publishing.

While 200+ is an ok number I'd like to see you expand your creative imagination and imagine, envision, think about, dream of and mentally walk through the process of selling 2,000 to 200,000 books within 12 to 36 months. Here's the math ($10/book X 2,000= $20,000 or $10/book X 200,000= $2,000,000) It is doable when you Think, Plan and Execute. You have within you the seed of creative genius passed on from thousands of years, as you are the sum total of all those that have come before you. If you are believing that you were created in the likeness of the Creator than you realize that you have within you the ability to write, edit and publish a masterful work. If you will it, it shall be done. Remember these things as you visit the links I've provided.

After downloading How to Self-Publish for Profit, BOOK PIMPING and Make Money Self Publishing you may want to set up a one-on-one consultation to answer questions you have concerning self-publishing your own book.

Thank you again and I hope this has given you some additional direction to help you finalize your decision on self-publishing your own book.

Book Distribution

On Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Robin Hoffman, Host, Real Coaching Radio interviewed me via video online and the telephone on book distribution. The interview was fun and energetic. We were even able to share some practical wisdom, tips and resources on traditional, non-traditional and emerging book distribution methods.

You are encouraged not only to listen to the interview, but to bookmark the page and forward the link to others. The more we know, the more we grow.

CLICK HERE to listen to the Book Distribution Interview

Click the image to download your FREE copy of BOOK PIMPING

Importance of a Book Fair & Literary Event

Below are my responses on a book publishing forum about attending literary events, a book fair and expo. I wanted to republish my response, because within the message you may find resources, tools, steps, wisdom and information to assist you in your self-publishing journey. As always your comments are valued and appreciated.

Do you think attending literary events is important as an author?

ANSWER:

When I think of literary events I think of events centered more around novels and children's books more than anything else. All of my books are fact based resources guides.

With the exception of How to Self-Publish for Profit, my books are on the music industry and modeling. It has been my experience that at literary events my target market doesn't attend outside of those seeking to publish or improve their publishing business. With that in mind literary events typically don't work well for me.

If I were a writer of novels and/or children's books I'd think literary events would seem perfect to touch my target reader.

Sylvia, you mentioned "since I have over 800 authors, writers & poets in the group, and we always have very very low turn out at our events (and you can't blame finances because over half the events we hold are almost free)..."

RESPONSE:

This is a primary reason that money isn't the issue keeping most people from succeeding. I imagine that for you to have over 800 members in your group that you are a power networker unlike many in your organization. Sylvia, many people talk about how bad they "want it", how money is the issue and how they can't seem to get ahead, but the truth is many people lack the burning desire, a practical written plan and don't do things everyday towards achieving their goals and realizing their potential.

At the end of the day we tend not to activity on information until we truly want to make a move, change, update or have our backs against the wall.

If out of 800 people you get a conversion rate of 1% you're doing good (that's 8 people). If out of 800 people you get a conversion rate of 10% (that's 80 people) you should call Oprah and Tyra Banks, because you have a serious story.

Unfortunately, we often have not been taught about the number of impressions needed to get people to respond to an advertisement/announcement nor are we taught about conversion rates, so we may have an unrealistic expectation on how many people will respond to an advertisement.

At this very moment I'm unable to provide supporting evidence for my claim. However, when you do the research you'll find the numbers to be close to extremely accurate.

Thank you for starting this forum. Perhaps others may read through it a few times and find just the spark they need to keep on keeping on.

GOJAWAR.COM

Self Publish Your Own Video

Having video is paramount for any writer/author/self-publisher seeking to continue to brand, market, promote and publicize their business and books. Online videos have brought me paying clients and has increased my brand recognition. The interesting thing is that consumers (if that is who you are targeting) often are not as concerned with the most professional video as they are the content that you're delivering.

At the end of the day they want to know what's in it for them -benefits and features. Once you explain that in plain view they are willing to bite on your irresistible offer.

If possible you want to upload between two (2) to four (4) videos a month. Remember you don't have to invest thousands to record, edit and upload a video to various websites, blogs and social networking communities. You do need a burning desire, a practical written plan and to execute that plan daily. With a consumer camcorder or video cam you may record your own video.

Borrowed Ideas -How to Self Publish?

The interesting thing about ideas is that we all borrow them. Some of us give or attempt to give credit, while others do not. Unfortunately, ideas may not be copywritten, trademarked or patented. However, once you put your idea to something tangible then you may protect in legally using the letter of the law in these United States.

As you continue to build your brand and expand your reach you'll find that when someone borrows your ideas and doesn't credit or pay you a wealth of other opportunities typically will open up for you. For instance, I've been contacting people all day on this site, but you're on of the few that I'm conversing with. Within our correspondence a business relationship is beginning to form. I'm not sure where it will lead, but it may be good for us both.

My first book was stolen word-for-word and released by someone else. Because the intent was wicked and it was not meant for them I've been able to move forward and create a tiny fortune for myself through other related books, materials, consulting and paid speaking engagements. The person that stole my intellectual property (book) was part of my encouragement to keep on keeping on. Now my books are sold globally in physical and ebook format. :-)

Stick around and you'll find we all have a story to tell.