Why You Need A Plan to Self-Publish Your Book

There are dozens of books (and online courses) on the market today that contain overwhelming amounts of information on self-publishing: writing techniques, preparing a manuscript, print-on-demand services, page layout programs, e-book formatting and book marketing. Sorting through the mountains of facts can be daunting to a first-time publisher.

With today’s new technology and service companies, the risks and the resources necessary to produce books have been greatly reduced, but the barriers toward effective execution are fairly high.

Before you begin the self-publishing process, it’s best to assess your skills and motivations, to educate yourself by learning from experienced self-publishers what you can expect, and to have a well-reasoned plan of action. The concept is similar to a traditional business plan for entrepreneurs, but geared specifically for writers who will soon become authorpreneurs once they embark on the self-publishing path.

What type of book are you planning? Are there other books on the market similar to yours? How will you sell your books? How does your book boost or complement your current business activities? How will you sell and distribute your book? Your ability to answer these questions while you are still in the planning stages will improve your chances for a successful outcome.

Writing a BOOK PLAN will help you get perspective on the business of publishing, to realistically assess your skills, to create strategies to produce a high-quality book, and to sell and present your book in the marketplace once it’s published. Each part of your plan gets you closer to that goal until you feel confident that you have performed due diligence by researching your genre and creating a comprehensive plan.

A comprehensive plan includes choosing a book model to emulate, outlining and developing your manuscript, making a list of competitive titles, comparing the best publishing options for your book, creating a production strategy, preparing a printing budget, planning for distribution, creatively brainstorming how to market your book, and assembling your team of professional advisors and contractors.

By the time you have gone through all the steps in your plan, you will feel confident that you have set the groundwork to publish your manuscript. Taking time to vet your manuscript, to build your plan, and to create a solid foundation for your book before publication is the best way to ensure success.

When you create a Book Plan in advance, you avoid costly mistakes by working with proven methods and real cost estimates to publish the best book possible, within your budget. When you follow a Book Plan, there are no surprises to derail your project.

Luckily, self-publishing a book is not something you have to do alone. Publishing is ultimately a collaborative endeavor where you can—and should—rely on experts to perform some of the tasks. Your plan should include when and how to find the right professionals to help you complete your project.

Self-publishing is a labor of love—not a get-rich-quick scheme. Start to think of self-publishing as an investment in yourself and in your career. For entrepreneurs, having a book can be as essential as having a business card. A book makes you and your business more visible, and published authors can raise their profiles and attract new opportunities by bundling books with their other products and services.

If your passion is writing, speaking, or teaching in order to make a contribution and impact the lives of others, self-publishing can be a richly rewarding endeavor. But if you are truly serious about your new career as authorpreneur, you must make the commitment in time and resources to produce the best books possible if you are to raise your profile and gain credibility.

At the end of the day, successfully promoting books—whether they are published by a traditional publisher or self-published—comes down to you, the author. You are the most knowledgeable and the most invested. Through your own efforts, you will soon be recognized as a published author and an expert in your field. 

PLAN FOR SUCCESS!

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