Self-publishing is the powerful act of taking control of your creative project. It’s the moment you seize your vision and mold it into a reality. Millions of people dream about writing and publishing a book, but the fear of the unknown stops a lot of them from following through. Thoughts of self-publishing can be overwhelming, but once you understand the steps to follow, it becomes a manageable (and fun!) process.
I’m not going to waste any time. Let’s jump in feet first, shall we?
You need a business plan. When I tell people this, they look confused.
“I’m a writer! I don’t do business.”
If you want to take your writing up a notch from hobby to publication, then you are going to have to think of it as seriously as you would a business. If you opened the doors to a brick and mortar store, you’d have some sort of plan, right?
Your business plan is like a map. It will direct you where to go and in what sequence you should travel in order to get to your destination as quickly and smoothly as possible. Today we are going to start working on your map. Your map will not look like anyone else’s because it is unique to your vision. The best part of having a map? It will save you time and money! And when you are organized with a vision you feel CONFIDENT. When you are confident, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
Your map (aka "publishing plan") will guide you, allowing you to stick to a budget and truly understand what your financial needs will be. This is where you want to think of the big picture beyond writing your story. Your map may change over time as you decide to make different choices, and that is completely okay. You need to be open to growth and change.
I recommend typing up an outline of your map and keeping it on your desktop so that you can easily make changes as needed. Setting up a publishing plan spreadsheet is also a great idea. If you prefer a more hands on approach, then choose a journal or notebook to pencil your publishing plan in. Create your map in a way that makes sense you.
You need a business plan. When I tell people this, they look confused.
“I’m a writer! I don’t do business.”
If you want to take your writing up a notch from hobby to publication, then you are going to have to think of it as seriously as you would a business. If you opened the doors to a brick and mortar store, you’d have some sort of plan, right?
Your business plan is like a map. It will direct you where to go and in what sequence you should travel in order to get to your destination as quickly and smoothly as possible. Today we are going to start working on your map. Your map will not look like anyone else’s because it is unique to your vision. The best part of having a map? It will save you time and money! And when you are organized with a vision you feel CONFIDENT. When you are confident, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
Your map (aka "publishing plan") will guide you, allowing you to stick to a budget and truly understand what your financial needs will be. This is where you want to think of the big picture beyond writing your story. Your map may change over time as you decide to make different choices, and that is completely okay. You need to be open to growth and change.
I recommend typing up an outline of your map and keeping it on your desktop so that you can easily make changes as needed. Setting up a publishing plan spreadsheet is also a great idea. If you prefer a more hands on approach, then choose a journal or notebook to pencil your publishing plan in. Create your map in a way that makes sense you.
| sample_publishing_plan.pdf |
The map you create during this eCourse is not going to be your final map, but will most definitely be a solid foundation. As you progress in your writing, editing, and learning about self-publishing, you will be adding to your map.
Start off by compiling the following information:
If you don't have some of the information, then fill in TBA (To Be Announced) or In Progress, and add it in when you have the details. Money is the first thing you need to think about when constructing your plan. You need to create a list of expenses so that you can know where you stand financially.
Start off by compiling the following information:
- Book Title
- Book's Message
- Genre
- Book Summary
- Target Audience
- Author Bio
- Publishing Budget (you want to put this list in chronological order)
If you don't have some of the information, then fill in TBA (To Be Announced) or In Progress, and add it in when you have the details. Money is the first thing you need to think about when constructing your plan. You need to create a list of expenses so that you can know where you stand financially.
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Don’t make the mistake of mislabeling your genre. You have to know who you are targeting when marketing your book.
You can't sell books if you aren't targeting it to the right people. For example, if you have steamy romance in your story that takes up the majority of the plot, then place your book under the romance category, opposed to general fiction. If you have excessive language or sexual situations and you plan to market it to young adults, then perhaps you should add an age suggestion. No one wants their 12-year-old reading material meant for an 18-year-old.
Here are some other ideas:
Here are some other ideas:
- Pick a book that shares your book's genre and read it. Are there clear similarities or differences? Take note!
- Ask people who read in your genre to read your manuscript and give feedback on whether they think it’s correctly labeled.
- Librarians are amazing resources for authors. Visit your local library and talk to a librarian about book genres, plus inquire about any writing groups or book clubs that they are hosting.
- Begin networking with other indie authors! Fellow self-published authors understand the challenge of getting noticed in the book world and are likely to help out. You can be a beta reader for other authors, and they will do the same for you. Socializing with other authors is a great way to receive free and honest help.
- Hit the bestsellers section at a bookstore and check out the competition!
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- Start writing your publishing plan! Put as much information down on paper as possible. Remember, you are going to build onto it! We'll be working on your publishing plan throughout the eCourse.
- Download the Identify Your Readers PDF from Module 1.2 and fill it in. If you don't have a book written yet then create a fake book genre and fill out it . The objective is for these questions to spark new ideas on how to find your readers.
Extra Credit? After you fill out the PDF, list 5 places you could sell your book to your reader. Online sites and bookstores don't count!