How to Self-Publish a Book as a Beginner

Do you dream of making it as a self-published author? Sure, so do thousands of other people. The road to publishing your first piece of work is challenging. The high barriers to entry are why so many aspiring authors fail to get their work into the public eye.

However, if you have the right resources, you can make it work for you. Technology changed the landscape for self-publishing authors, and now it’s much easier to get your work the attention it deserves.

In the past, self-publishing writers and authors would need to visit premises, buildings and spend time on the phone to get what they needed to publish their work. Now, with the advent of the internet, you have everything online, available right at your fingertips.

This post unpacks a few actionable strategies authors can use to self-publish a book.

Up your Game

If you’re planning on self-publishing a book, you need the right resources to help you through the process. Inspiration is easy enough to find with a bevy of blogs and video streaming sites providing millions of hours of content in all trending categories.

By using writing and editing tools, you get better results with your publishing efforts. These tools are available through software solutions and online courses. Take some time to invest in your skillset before heading out into the market.

Use the Right Formatting

When you have a final polished product, you’ll have the option of uploading it to a self-publishing website. It’s important for authors to remember that some sites have different file requirements than others.

For instance, EPUB files are the benchmark standard for ebooks, and they offer easy access for mobile users. MOBI files are the better choice for publishing your work through Kindle on Amazon

Some platforms may also require you to upload your content as a PDF file. However, you’ll need to convert the PDF to the right file format using a paid service or conversion software.

Look at Retailers

Many bookselling websites and retailers have independent guidelines offering you royalty rates, linking opportunities, favorable pricing, or useful distribution information. 

Some online portals let independent authors publish books for free in digital formats, while some charge a flat rate that includes advertising services and even print-on-demand services.

POD helps you avoid the expense and hassle of holding stock of your book. When the seller gets enough orders, they print the book and distribute it for you. It’s a great option for presales as well.

Acquire an ISBN

To make your book available in public libraries or physical book stores as a hardcover, you’re going to have to register yourself for an International Standard Book Number (ISBN).

Fortunately, that’s not as much of a hassle as you would imagine. You can apply for your ISBN through the online portal at the official website. While it’s not absolutely critical to get an ISBN, you’ll find it opens a lot more self-publishing avenues for your work.

Marketing and Distribution

Finally, after publishing your work, you need to promote it to capture an audience. Posting on free sites like Medium can help you capture a targeted audience. Promoting your book through a social media advertising campaign on Facebook can also help you reach a wider audience.

There are dozens of free courses available on platforms like YouTube that teach you how to market your book. Authors can build a free website and use it to promote their books and capture leads to grow their list.

By using an opt-in marketing option, your fans could leave you their email address for your mailing list in return for access to a chapter of your new book.