Self Publishing Is it worth the effort?

One of the areas that I think tends to scare off potential authors from self-publishing is the idea of having to do their own marketing.  Isn’t that what a traditional publisher is supposed to do for you? 

I follow the posts of many of my favorite authors to see how well they do with their book deals and it amazes me just how much time they spend on the road self-promoting.  Book signings, guest speaking, books fairs, etc.  You name it these people are doing it.  Is that really any different from what you do?

Aren’t you on line chatting, emailing, posting and smooth talking with potential buyers?  Why has the idea of self-marketing become so tainted when it’s exactly what traditional published authors are doing?

Are you a friend of an author?  Follower on twitter?  Subscriber to a blog?  Exactly.  Me too. 

If you can talk you can self promote.  If you can type, which I hope you can since you want to be an author, then you can self promote.  If you can blog, tweet, email, text or use any other form of social media, then you can self promote. 

The key to any form of promotion is getting you name out there.  I won’t lie to you.  It takes time, dedication and more hours than I could ever have dreamed, but it’s all worth it.

Tips of ways to self-promote your new book:

·        Do an author interview with me www.self-published-authors.blogspot.com and link it to your site.

·        Create a blog.  IT’S FREE!!  I use blogger and love it!  You can also use wordpress or other sites.

·        Get on Facebook.  Join some of the book review groups.

·        Sign up for LinkedIn.  Start meeting other authors.

·        Join a writer’s group.

·        Get to know your Librarian! 

·        Get your picture and book cover in a local paper.

·        Twitter

·        Create an author profile on your ebook site (it shows up in search engines)

·        Create an email list of people to inform of new publications

·        Book signings

·        Get your book into your local school system if it’s the right age group (or a college)

·        Offer free copies of your book in exchange for a book review

·        Co-write on a friends blog

·        Create a Book movie poster (these are fun)

·        Download your book trailer onto YouTube

These are just a few ideas but they can keep you hopping.  Pick one and start today.  You don’t have to wait until you book is published to start promoting.

But always remember- creating a career around writing isn’t easy.  It’s takes time, but never let low book sales tell you that you’re not a success.  It just means you need to get back to promoting.  Have faith in yourself, even if no one else will. 

Happy writing!

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Blogging

One of the best tools that you have as an author is a blog.  People use them, people love them.  They have become the universal tool for promotion and the best part is that you can create one for free.  Blogger has been a fantastic tool for me, but there are others that are just as easy to use. 

I realize that most people feel like they simply don’t have the time to add yet another “chore” to their busy days, but you can’t afford not to.  Blogging doesn’t have to take a lot of time, and you don’t have to do it every day.  Write a post every three or four days to keep yourself up on the search engines. 

Pick a theme and go with it.  Work it to your benefit.  Tell everyone and they’re dog to subscribe to your blog and begin your promotions.  Post your blog on as many sites as you can, but don’t be obnoxious! 

If you don’t have a blog, please consider starting one.  With each day that passes that you remain blog free you remain follower free too.  Networking, one on one and social media is our present and future.  This is one bandwagon you definitely want to jump on!

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