Thinking of Self-Publishing: Avoid These 6 Common (and Big!) Mistakes

Ahhh…?The feeling of a complete manuscript.??Did you think this day would ever come?

If you don’t already have plans in your near future to celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of another—see what I did there?—stop what you’re doing.??Stop. Right. Now.??Make those plans.??Book that weekend escape.??Text your friends and let them know?it’s going down.??

Because the next step is?publishing?your book.?

Self-publishing is a major time commitment.??You take on the role of author, editor, designer, proofreader, marketer, and so much more.??Even if you outsource these responsibilities to independent contractors, seeing each step through takes dedication.??It takes time.??It takes money. But it’s a worthy investment because vetting the?right professionals contributes to your success.

As you’ve seen in the writing process, there’s a multitude of factors that go into inputting your knowledge and expertise onto pages.??And then into chapters.??Your wording either grabs the attention of your readers or it doesn’t.??How you structure your content matters.??If it’s not simple and easy to read, you’ll lose readers.??

And editing.??If you’ve made it this far—that says it all.??I know we on the same page here.?

So now it’s time to PUBLISH.??You’ve done your research on which?publishing option?is right for you and decided to self-publish your book.??There’s a method to the madness.??And there are common mistakes people make during the process—mistakes that can be bigger than accidentally spilling coffee on their manuscript.

But that won’t be you!??So before diving in head first, read this article and take some notes.??Before you know it, your success will offer a wealth of tips for other self-publishing authors.

Self-Publishing Mistake #1: Lack of Research

I know, I know.??You’re?THE?subject matter expert.??You’re?THE?go-to.??You know your biz.??I mean?hello—you’ve written an entire book here.??

But that’s not what I’m talking about.

I’m referring to the research of your?audience, which includes production and marketing.??The research of?different platforms.??Sometimes this can refer back to your audience.??Are they global or do you choose a platform that will better market and sell in the United States?

Your options are?not?limited.??This is the BK of publishing, my friend—have it your way.

When it comes to your audience, here are some things to consider:

●WHO?is going to be reading this book???Here’s the deal.??If you’re writing to?everyone,?you’re basically writing to?no one.??Narrow down your target audience.??While you’re writing, imagine talking to?one?person.??Tell a story they can relate to.??Call out their specific pain points.??Grab that shovel and do some digging.??What concerns or doubts do they have—or may have later???Eliminate any skepticism and, in turn, establish trust and credibility with your readers.?

●Which medium are they most likely to prefer???Are they going to want the physical book in hand???An E-book???Audiobook???Knowing your audience is essential.??This blog?explains how you can start to promote your book before it’s even published—as long as you know your audience!?

It’s estimated that at least 1.7 million titles are self-published each year.[1]??And these are across a variety of different platforms.??Some common self-publishing platforms are Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Barnes and Noble Press, and Reedsy—just to name a few.??

A couple of things to consider—how much support are you looking for???What’s your budget???This is where your research comes in.??Choosing the right platform is a large contributor to your overall success.?

Self-Publishing Mistake #2: Cutting Corners on the Editing Process

I get it.??You’ve spent a lot of time getting to where you are?right now.??And you’re writing this book because you’re ready to get it out into the world.??You’re ready to move your career further along.??You’re even ready for your?nextbook.??

But one of the best tips I can give to self-publishing authors is to create adequate space in your timeline for the editing process.??The worst thing that can happen—well, other than not selling a single book—is losing your credibility because of a book that isn’t ready to hit the shelves.??Oooh, I know!??That one stings—but it’s the hard truth.

Charles Finch said it best—“The single biggest mark of the amateur writer is a sense of hurry.”[2]

A simple fix is to hire a professional editor.??A second set of eyes.??Someone to not only check over your grammar and spelling but to offer insight into the overall ebb and flow of your book.??This can even include structure and character development.??In?this blog post, we dive a little deeper into deciding whether or not to hire a professional editor.

Take your time and don’t skimp on editing.??And Google “beta readers.”??These are some good folks!

Self-Publishing Mistake #3: Incorrect Formatting

Who in the world forgot to tell you about the technical factors to consider when self-publishing a book???

That’s right—not me!

Booksellers have different requirements that are to be strictly followed.??Do some research on their specific guidelines to identify which file types they prefer.??Most of the time this will consist of an Adobe PDF file, a Microsoft Word document, an EPUB file, or a MOBI file.??

If they accept more than one file type, which one will best fit?your?manuscript???Does your book have graphics???Keep this in mind—that’s a big consideration.?

I’m also referring to the formatting of your manuscript.??Be mindful of the appearance of your content.??Give your readers an?easy?experience.??Incorporate plenty of paragraph breaks.??Add bullet points when listing multiple items.??Use text formatting to add emphasis on certain words or phrases like?bold,?italic, and?underline.??

Keep it clean and seamless.??The easier it is for your readers to follow along—the less likely they are to set it down on a dusty shelf halfway through.?

Self-Publishing Mistake #4: Cutting Down On Self-Publishing Costs With A DIY Cover Design

Now, if you have some major background in design—you?might?be able to pull this one off.??But if it’s about cutting costs, you may want to revisit this decision.

We most definitely judge books by their covers.??It’s a?science thing.??It’s also why a hefty amount of money is spent in the publishing industry on photo shoots and illustrators to create that?perfect?cover design.??

The key is capturing the attention of your desired market.??It’s the first impression someone has before even picking up your book.??The primary conversion.??And when you think of it like that—it gains a different perspective.??

Once you decide on a design, ask yourself these questions:

●??????Does this cover look professional?

●??????Is this cover genre appropriate?

●??????Does this cover adequately represent what’s delivered in your book?

●??????Is this cover using stock art???If the answer is yes—move to plan B or C or D or E.??

There’s nothing?generic?about your expertise or what you’re sharing with your readers—your design cover should follow suit.??If it means spending a little more to hire a professional, don’t be afraid to do so.

Self-Publishing Mistake #5: Pricing Too High Or Too Low

Can I get a price check over here?

Pricing can be tricky.??If it’s too high then people aren’t going to buy it.??But if it’s too low then you run the risk of people assuming it’s not valuable.??It’s all about that sweet spot!

This can be an emotional process.??You’ve devoted an incredible amount of your time and energy—in your eyes, it’s worth a million bucks!??But unfortunately, you can’t stamp a price on these.??

It’s all about the research.??Compile a list of a dozen or so books that are within the same genre and page count.??Write down the price they’re selling for.??While you’re at it, take a peek at your competition.??Having a clear understanding of how much your target audience is already paying is a solid starting point.??

Don’t forget about royalties.??Different retailers have different percentages.??Take some time to research and price accordingly.??

At the end of the day—have realistic expectations and don’t be afraid to adjust as you see fit.?

Self-Publishing Mistake #6: Poor Marketing

Come on now—you’ve done?all this work!!??Maybe you’re already established in your industry.??But is the main objective not to attract?more?of your target audience???Spread?more?of your message???

This links back to knowing your audience?(hmm.. Maybe we should consider that the #1 tip for self-publishing authors.??It comes up a lot).??Marketing is something you can easily dip into?during?the writing process.??Engaging with readers during this process welcomes them to partake in your journey.??It helps spread the word and builds anticipation for the release of your book.??

Utilizing social platforms is equally effective.??Goodreads is the world’s largest social media platform designed specifically for book lovers—and authors.??These types of platforms can land your book in front of?thousands?of readers.??

Also, don’t limit yourself to one distributor.??It’s important to have multiple channels.??Don’t forget about the main objective.??You want your book in front of as many people as possible.?

And For The Final Chapter?

Here’s the thing …?Despite where you are in your self-publishing journey—don’t forget to take some time to soak it all in.??Be proud of yourself.??Those late nights are paying off.??

So here’s my question—in your personal opinion, is self-publishing worth it???I work with hundreds of authors at?BMcTALKS Press?and would love to hear your insights from your personal experience.??

And above all else—enjoy the process and remember that you?always have?options!

[1]?wordsrated.com

[2]?writersdigest.com

Learn more ways to improve your presentation and communication skills by subscribing and listening to?Own the Microphone?podcast. You will get real strategies from Bridgett McGowen and her guests on how to own the microphone and deliver a message people love.?

Visit?Amazon,?Barnes and Noble, or wherever you like to purchase your books to order a copy of?Real Talk: What Other Experts Won't Tell You About How to Make Presentations That Sizzle, 2e?for all of the presentation skills strategies that Bridgett uses.

Visit?BridgettMcGowen.com?for more resources and services built on Bridgett’s more than two decades of experience as a professional speaker.?

If you are ready to share your message on a larger stage,?BMcTALKS Press?is ready to make your dream of becoming a published author a reality.