It’s easier than ever before to create your own manuscript and earn a living as a published author. Thanks to the beauty of the internet and sites like Amazon, you can cut out the middleman and become a self-published author. It’s important to bear in mind that this journey isn’t for the faint of heart. It’ll take a lot of hard work, dedication and discipline. However, if you commit to the process, you’ll succeed.
1. Write the manuscript.
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It’s interesting that the hardest part of the journey is the very first step. You have to write the manuscript and get it edited. Writing is a creative art. So, it’s ideal to be in a place where every word is totally organic and inspired. However, this won’t always be the case. If you want to get this manuscript completed, it’s important to write even when you’re feeling writer’s block. Commit to writing words down for five minutes to get the juices flowing. Purchase a book of creative writing prompts to give you some inspiration. You must maintain the discipline to get the work done. Create a schedule and decide how many words you’d like to complete each day. If you’d like to do 1,000 words each day or 4,000 words, make a decision and stick to it.
2. Put the book in various formats.
Once the book is complete, you’ll want to consider the different ways you’d like to sell it. An eBook is the most inexpensive option and it’s also the easiest to manage. However, there are a lot of people who are purists and prefer to have a physical copy of the book in their hands. There are others who love to be able to enjoy the beauty of listening to an audiobook while they’re jogging or sitting in traffic. If you can’t afford studio time to record an audiobook, there are so many ways to DIY the process and create your own audiobook at home.
3. Decide the platforms.
There are so many platforms you can use to sell your book. You can use Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and many other platforms. You can also choose to sell your own books through your own platform. When you sell through other platforms, you gain the ease of using someone else’s established brand. You can also experience of sense of ease since you don’t have to worry about managing the transaction. However, when you do everything yourself, you can also reap the benefits of recouping all of the money. You won’t have to worry about a company taking a percentage of your profits.
4. Create a website/blog.
Whether you choose to house your books and transactional process through your own website or not, it’s still wise to create an online presence through a blog or website. It’ll serve as your own piece of online real estate. It’ll also be a great opportunity for people to get to know you better. Update the blog regularly with weekly blog posts and use the power of search engine optimization to help you get traction on the algorithms.
5. Develop an email list.
As you create your website and develop a strong following, it’s also a good idea to stay in touch with your readers. The best way to do this is with an email list. An email list is also ideal because it allows you to send out updates about what’s happening in your business. You can do pre-sales through an email list. You can even opt to focus on connecting with readers to find out what they liked most about your books and what they’d like to see more of.
Social media is a major component for those who sell and are trying to build a brand online. Consider suggestions and tips from sites like http://makemoneyonlinebeginners.net. Decide which platforms you’d like to use the most. As a writer/author, the sky is the limit. You can choose to use Twitter and build a platform as a witty conversationalist. You can also use visual word graphics and pictures through a platform like Instagram. If you’d like to do sneak peeks and read excerpts of your book to your audience, a platform like YouTube is excellent. Don’t forget about Facebook. Facebook is the mother of all social media platforms and you can use their advertising program to get your books in front of new audiences.
7. Remain consistent.
No matter which platforms, outlets and book forms you choose, always commit to remaining consistent. As long as your readers know they can count on you to show up, you’ll continue to build a strong, long-lasting brand.
Raj Kumar is a qualified business/finance writer expert in investment, debt, credit cards, Passive income, financial updates. He advises in his blog finance clap.
