How to Self-Publish for Profit: November 2010

Self Publishing Profits

Writing and self-publishing your book has its' own rewards. Selling your book online and off is another level of achievement. Getting positive responses from readers is when you know your long hours, sleepless nights, money and resources invested were all worth it. How do you get to this point if you have yet to publish your own book?

Following the steps below will get you headed in the right direction.

Decide who your target audience is.
What type of book will you write ie fiction, non-fiction, novel, how to...
Write your book.
Have your book proofread and edited for clarity.
Decide if your going to self-publish only as an ebook or ebook and print.
For print version find a graphic artist to design book cover, back and spine.
For more on this process visit How to Self-Publish for Profit.

Book Marketing:

Find out where your target audience is most likely to be online and off.
Develop an online and social media marketing book strategy.
Start promoting your book 3 to 12 months before your book is ready.

Remember that your book sets you up for residual/passive income. With a good book and a system for branding, marketing, promoting, publicizing, advertising, distributing and selling you'll get both mailbox and Paypal money. If you need one-on-one coaching contact me.

Book Printing

There are a number of companies that offer book printing services. No, matter which book printer you select you'll want to keep the following in mind to reduce cost and get your book printed in the fastest manner possible.

You'll want to get your book printed in one of the standard sizes which tend to work well for how to reference or novels 5.25 X 8.25, 5.5 X 8.5, 6 X 9 or 8.5 X 11. These sizes are in inches. The standard weight for paper in a book is 50lb or 60lb. Some book printers may charge you more for 60lb vs. 50lb.

While book binding may be done in a number of different ways, you'll want to use perfect bound in most cases to ensure your book is retail ready. Retail ready means your book has the same overall look and feel as books printed by traditional book publishers. Your front and back cover may be a 10pt C1S with matte, lamination or uv coating. A matte coating tends to have a dull look and feel, while laminated or UV cover adds a shining to the book and protects the cover as well.

Before deciding on any one printer ask many questions. You'll find that different printers specialize in different aspects of the business and they will have varying pricing. Some people prefer to use a local printer while others don't care where the printer is located as long as the price is the lowest possible. It's been my experience that the price of getting books printed tend to fluctuate primarily as a result of the price of paper. Generally, when a book printer gives you a quote it will be for 30, 60 or 90 days and sometimes longer if you ask.

For a list of nearly 100 book printers you'll want to download How to Self-Publish for Profit.

While we've discussed a bit about book printing remember that you should also consider publishing your book as an ebook and audio book depending on the type of book you're writing.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a mental game that you may always win. Using the techniques below may help you overcome writer’s block.

During those times of tremendous inspirational influence write without stopping. You'll rarely have writer’s block when you do this because you’ll have an abundance of information to refer to.
When your spirit moves you write without reservation, don't stop and you shall rarely have this so-called writer’s block.
Remove writer’s block by writing when you are inspired to write.
Remove writer’s block by writing whatever comes to mind. Don't worry about structure at the moment.
Remove writer’s block by writing on your own experiences.
If you have writer’s block write about what you wish would happen in your future.
If you have writer’s block write about what happened to someone you know.
If you have writer’s block writes a review of a product or service.
Writer’s block comes from attempting to force yourself to write in a certain way. Write from inspiration, experience and the future as you see it.
Another way to overcome writer’s block is to write how you envision your future.
A technique for overcoming writer’s block is to think of a main word and use it in as many sentences as possible.

Have you used any of these techniques for overcoming writer's block?