No interest in the hassle of dealing with publishers? Then maybe you could self-publish a book instead. This is easier than ever in the Age of the Internet, but there are still a few things you need to know.
Here, then, are our top tips on how to self-publish an ebook.
1. Editing Your Manuscript
One benefit of self-publishing is that you don’t have to compromise to please an editor or publisher. But this does mean you need to be strict with yourself about the editing process, as you’ll be responsible for this as well.
Before you get to the publishing stage, then, make sure you’ve finished drafting your manuscript. This means seeking feedback and making revisions, but also proofreading and formatting with care. Taking the time to do this will ensure a professional-quality ebook once you’re done.
2. Judging a Book by Its Cover?
The old phrase has its merits, but many people do judge books by their covers. And since you want people to notice your book, you need a great cover for it. Ideally, your book cover will do three things:
- Be eye-catching while still looking professional.
- Look good when shrunk down to thumbnail size.
- Only use images you have the rights to use or that are copyright free.
You’ll also need a back cover with a blurb. This should at least include a summary of what your book is about, but you may also want to add endorsements or reviews if you have them.
3. Where to Upload Your Ebook
Now that you have something to self-publish, think about where you will publish it. There are many services available for this, with two of the biggest names being Amazon KDP and Kobo.
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If you’re a new author, you may want to use Amazon’s KDP Select service. This provides extra benefits in return for exclusivity, such as increased royalties and marketing. But if you have an established audience, you could list your ebook on multiple services to maximise reach.
4. Creating an Ebook File
The next question is how to convert your manuscript into the proper file type for an ebook. The simplest way is to use a publishing platform that does this automatically. That does mean sacrificing some control, though, so perfectionists might want to do it themselves!
If this sounds like you, consider which file format to use. Creating a PDF is easy and fine if your priority is making the book readable on computers.
But if you want it to be available on mobile e-readers, too, you may need to create an ePub or MOBI file instead.
5. Sell, Sell, Sell!
There’s a lot of competition online, so think about is how to sell your ebook. A few things you should do when preparing to publish include:
- Look at what similar books are selling for on your chosen platform.
- Write a catchy synopsis.
- Pick some key words to help readers find your book.
- Start an author’s blog where you can establish yourself online.
- Use social media to promote your writing and network with other authors.
- Send free copies to reviewers.
- Offer free or discounted copies to readers.
These techniques can help create a buzz before you self-publish. You can also buy adverts, but this is often less effective than word-of-mouth promotion.