How to write, self-publish a book, and make it onto the bestseller list

Introduction

A few weeks ago, I recently launched my first book, "Unleashing Your Inner Power: A Roadmap To Self-discovery and Growth." Many people have asked me how I was able to write and self-publish my book, prompting me to share some pointers in this article. Writing a book is not an easy feat. There were numerous times when I had to stay up late, feeling tired and doubting myself, saying, "I'm not sure I can do this." However, when I finally launched my book, I realized it was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done professionally.

I hope this article inspires you to write your book, helps you get closer to publishing, and reaches more readers with your work.

I will share my experiences in the following steps.

• Ideation
• Writing
• Publishing
• Marketing

Step 1; Ideation

How did you decide to write a book? What was your inspiration, and what pushed you to take action?

In late 2022, I started mentoring diverse individuals in my local community on how to become the best versions of themselves and develop inner beliefs. I meet with these individuals biweekly to connect with them, share tips, and listen to their lessons learned from the advice and ideas they have gained from me so far. To my surprise in 2023, I began taking testimonials from them on how they have seen improvements in their various outlooks on life. I was astonished and felt incredibly blessed to see how my ideas and gifts have positively impacted people's lives. One beautiful evening last summer, in August of the previous year, while on my way to get groceries, I heard a voice within me saying, "Jane, why don't you put those ideas you always share with your mentees into a book?" I replied loudly, ‘‘So you want me to be an author’’ thinking about the possibility of speaking to a wider audience. After pondering on it, I finished up my grocery shopping and went home. That evening, I was restless and prayed about it. The next day, I felt energized about the idea. In the evening after work, I began to write. I told myself, "I don't care about perfectionism. I will just write, no matter how the book turns out." At the end of the day, I was about to write over 100 pages of my book. I am grateful for the ideas that have been placed within me and for the grace and strength to bring them to life.

Moral of the story: Don't underestimate your inner voice when it whispers ideas to you. If the idea was given to you, be sure you have the power to bring it to life.

Why did you choose the topic of your book as the message you wanted to share with the world?

There have been several experiences where I have felt undervalued and underestimated. These experiences have at times made me question my abilities and doubt myself, but my inner voice has always been stronger than those experiences. I want people to understand that challenges and roadblocks do not define you unless you allow them to. Setbacks can serve as stepping stones to greater heights. I want people to realize that they are greater than any situation they are currently facing or have faced in the past.

Step 2: Writing

How did you get started, and which resources helped you kick things off?

Before I started writing this book, I first asked myself the question, "What do I want my audience to learn from my ideas?" The word 'Resilience' came to mind. I then decided to share how I have been able to overcome some of life's challenges. Drawing from my personal experience, I used resources that I felt would be easier for the audience to relate to. I simply looked around me and got ideas.

What struggles do writers need to overcome?

1. Perfectionism: I staunchly oppose the concept of perfectionism, considering it a mere figment of imagination. This conviction propelled me to promptly commence writing my book, spurred by an idea from my inner voice. I was resolute in my decision to write this book, irrespective of its commercial success. This determination served as a powerful motivator. Regardless of its reception, my commitment to writing remained firm. To all aspiring writers out there: Initiate your journey without hesitation and trust that everything will align eventually.
2. Concentration: It's straightforward, yet challenging. Given the plethora of distractions surrounding you, maintaining focus can be a daunting task. While writing this book, I imposed daily word count targets and devised a strict timetable for social media usage to keep distractions at bay. I also identified a quiet corner in the public library after work hours that allowed me to write with negligible interruptions, thus facilitating swift entry into my creative flow. To produce your best writing, you must immerse yourself in the flow.

How long did the writing take? What was the experience like?

I devoted a solid four months to the completion of my book, marking each chapter's completion with a quiet celebration. Whether it was indulging in something enjoyable or treating myself to an outing, these rewards served as a stress reliever from the intense writing process. This journey has significantly amplified my admiration for authors and their craft. Writing demands profound thought and swift capture of fleeting ideas. My discipline and focus were solid throughout this project, prompting me to reward myself upon reaching each chapter milestone.

What do you think is the biggest mistake non-fiction writers make?

1. Failing to identify your "WHY''. The most glaring error committed by nonfiction authors is neglecting to pinpoint their core motivation for writing the book. This fundamental misstep has far-reaching implications, impacting every phase of the writing and production processes. Your 'why' is the driving force behind your objective, which is your ultimate goal in writing and publishing your book. Both of these elements shape the purpose of your book, influence the strategy you adopt in structuring and writing it, and guide how you promote it to reach its intended audience.
2. Failing to Identify Readers; To craft a compelling nonfiction book, it's imperative to first pinpoint your target reader. Avoid the common mistake made by beginner nonfiction authors who believe their book is for a broad, undefined audience. It might appear contradictory, but the more precise you are in identifying your reader, the more targeted and effective your content creation and marketing strategies will be.

Step 3: Publishing

Why did you choose to self-publish? What are the benefits of this route compared to hiring a publisher?

Funsho Abraham the author of the highly acclaimed book "The Catalyst Code," has been a significant source of inspiration for me. Published in 2023, this book is readily available on Amazon and has impressive reviews. Funsho's candidness about her self-publishing journey sparked my interest and led me to dig deeper into this subject matter. After conducting rigorous research and with absolute certainty, I am pleased with my decision to self-publish for the following reasons:

1. Connection with readers: Proximity to my readers fosters a robust bond. The direct feedback I receive from numerous readers of my book is instrumental in honing my craft. They have expressed their appreciation for the legibility of my text and noted the distinctive large size of the book, setting it apart from conventional sizes. When I hear affirmations like, "Jane, your work is making a significant impact," I must confess this is so refreshing to hear this.

2. Control.

I have full control over the book's content. Publishers may insist on changes that you may not be comfortable with.

3. Money

1. Self-publishing empowers you to retain the entirety of your royalties, except for nominal fees charged by platforms where your book is sold.
2. Books serve as an excellent avenue for generating passive income. If your primary motivation to pen a book is financial gain, it's imperative that you thoroughly evaluate this decision before embarking on such a venture.

What are your royalty rates when you self-publish?

Selling on Amazon allows you to retain a significant 70% of the profits from an e-book and a substantial 60% from a paperback.

What does the editing process involve when you are not working with a publisher?

My editor Loupeeditorial helped me with two things;

1. Editorial assessment; This review covers the entire book, including its structure and flow.
2. Editing

This involves enhancing sentence structure and ensuring the book is impeccably free from errors.

If you're in search of an exceptional editor, don't hesitate to contact Loupe Editorial.

Step 4; Marketing

Consider the following expenses when planning for self-publishing:

1. Editor: It's imperative to consider the cost of an editor. Bear in mind that these costs fluctuate depending on the specific editor.
2. Book and Cover Designer: The cost of a book designer can vary, but I had the privilege of having my work done free of charge by Akinyelure Sola and his team. Sola's efficiency, professionalism, and courteous demeanour are unmatched. If you need an exceptional book and cover designer, I strongly recommend reaching out to him.

What strategies did you employ to market your work and which elements would you attribute to your achievement of reaching the "best seller status"?

I did a plethora of things such as

1. My Network: Leverage my network to acquire my book. The majority of my acquaintances have purchased copies, with some even going the extra mile to secure additional ones for their loved ones. Their overwhelming support has truly astounded me and significantly contributed to enhancing my sales algorithm in the marketplace.

2. Social Media Strategy: I regularly share engaging posts on my preferred platform, LinkedIn. The content revolves around the themes of my book, sparking discussions and stimulating interest among my audience. This strategy effectively draws attention to my book and cultivates a dedicated reader base.

3. Contact Influencers in my local communities;

I have successfully reached out to influencers within my local communities, ensuring that they are well-informed about my book and its contents. This strategic move has effectively raised awareness about my work. Furthermore, these influencers have generously shared my work on their social media platforms and provided invaluable support

4. Speaking Engagement: Whenever I am invited for speaking or podcast engagements, I seize the opportunity to promote my book. I ensure to share a direct link that leads them straight to the Amazon marketplace site.

The strategies mentioned above have proven to be instrumental in achieving best-seller status on the Amazon marketplace, both during the first week of release and earlier this week. If your sales don't skyrocket right away, remain steadfast and persistent. Success may not come instantly, but with patience and continuous effort, it is certainly attainable.

Summary

1. Ideation: 1. Identify your burning passions without hesitation.

2. Writing

1. Write to solve a problem by understanding the biggest challenges of your audience,

2. Assertively select a conducive environment for writing that fosters intense focus and concentration.

3. Establish a daily word count goal to maintain your productivity and keep you focused.

3. Publishing

1. You should consider self-publishing, as it offers a multitude of advantages.

4. Marketing

1. Leverage on social media

2. Reach out to your networks

3. Engage influencers within your reach.

This article is designed to empower you to commence writing your book. Every exceptional idea deserves an equally exceptional presentation, and the world eagerly awaits your unique contribution. The quality of your writing will only improve once you initiate the process.

You can access my book on Amazon marketplace in both e-book and paperback formats via this link. Order My Book

Never forget, that you possess greatness within you and can achieve extraordinary things.