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Self-publishing is easy. Anyone can put words on a page, upload them, and push the publish button. But self-publishing with the goal of selling eBooks, becoming a successful author, and perhaps someday even being able to quit your day job and write full time isn't quite as easy. In fact, writing the eBook may be the least of your worries in self-publishing. EditionGuard is here to help you overcome the challenges of being an indie author.
Self-Publishing Challenge #1: Gaining Readers
While some people do publish simply for the bragging rights of being an author, most of us would like to make a little money by selling the eBooks we write. Gaining readers is a long, sometimes arduous process that should begin around the time you even consider thinking about writing an eBook. Tips:
- Know who will be most likely to read your eBook and engage them everywhere
- Cultivate a team of early readers who get free copies of your eBooks as you write them in exchange for providing feedback and reviews
- Send out a newsletter to stay in touch with readers as you write the eBook and give them exclusive access to information and news that others won't receive
Self-Publishing Challenge #2: Pricing
We've discussed
pricing strategy a number of times, but the main idea is this: if you don't have to pay for ink, paper, binding, or shipping, your book shouldn't cost as much as if you did have to pay for those things.
Self-Publishing Challenge #3: Motivation
Getting started can be the most difficult part of writing an eBook, but if you have an idea in your head, just sit down and start. Do an outline, pull some research - do something to motivate you to take the next step. It doesn't matter if you're writing fiction or non-fiction, how-tos or children's books, there is a market for you.
What are your biggest challenges to self-publishing? Share your comments and concerns and we'll address them in future posts.
In the meantime, check out:
Self-Publishing Is Not New
6 Steps to Self-Publishing
3 Things You Need to Know About Self-Publishing