Have you figured out how to get hundreds or thousands of people who do not know you to find and buy your book?
Most new authors become dissatisfied with their publisher soon after their book is released, when they discover that people whom they do not know are not buying their book. This disillusionment occurs for three reasons: First, aspiring authors do not realize that a published book is a product, and that they are in business once they introduce a product into the marketplace. Second, they mistakenly think that listing a book on a Web site attracts buyers. And third, they do not realize that it is the author’s responsibility to promote and advertise their book--this is not the publisher’s job.
There is so much resistance to these facts by new and aspiring authors, that they are easily lured into a state of willful ignorance--mostly by people who are trying to get them to buy publishing services. The most susceptible authors are those who want to think of themselves only as artists, and not as business people, too. But look around. Even well known artists (actors, authors, etc.) promote their work. Watch the TV talk shows and notice how famous people come onto those shows to discuss their latest book or movie--they’re not entertaining, they’re promoting and advertising--working at getting people to discover and buy their product. You don’t see producers or publishers on the Jay Leno show.
So here’s what to do if you want a profitable relationship with your publisher: Determine how you are going to get hundreds or thousands of people who do not know you to find and buy your book. Write this information down before you sign a contract with a publisher. This is referred to as ‘developing a marketing plan.’ Why is it important? Because keeping your book in print for a general audience requires monthly and annual administrative work for the publisher, and if there will be no ongoing sales, there will be no income to support doing that work. A publisher is more likely to welcome the partnership if you demonstrate that you're going to make it worth their time to accept your project.
Don’t want to promote your book? Then why use a publisher to get it into national book-seller distribution channels by assigning an ISBN, and creating all that ongoing work, when you’re never going to tell strangers about it? If all you want is a book to give to your family, or sell to your friends or associates, consider hiring someone to format your manuscript into a file that can be printed in book form, and to also create a cover file. Then, take those two files to a local printer and have your book printed. It’s a lot cheaper to do that--you can even sell your book yourself if you like. No, your book won’t appear on Amazon.com if it doesn’t have an ISBN, but books on Amazon.com are business products that require ongoing work by the publisher and the author.
Publishing a book can be a happy event in your life, or it can be a frustrating experience. Now you know how to make it a happy event. Sorry it isn’t easy--business is work.
Most new authors become dissatisfied with their publisher soon after their book is released, when they discover that people whom they do not know are not buying their book. This disillusionment occurs for three reasons: First, aspiring authors do not realize that a published book is a product, and that they are in business once they introduce a product into the marketplace. Second, they mistakenly think that listing a book on a Web site attracts buyers. And third, they do not realize that it is the author’s responsibility to promote and advertise their book--this is not the publisher’s job.
There is so much resistance to these facts by new and aspiring authors, that they are easily lured into a state of willful ignorance--mostly by people who are trying to get them to buy publishing services. The most susceptible authors are those who want to think of themselves only as artists, and not as business people, too. But look around. Even well known artists (actors, authors, etc.) promote their work. Watch the TV talk shows and notice how famous people come onto those shows to discuss their latest book or movie--they’re not entertaining, they’re promoting and advertising--working at getting people to discover and buy their product. You don’t see producers or publishers on the Jay Leno show.
So here’s what to do if you want a profitable relationship with your publisher: Determine how you are going to get hundreds or thousands of people who do not know you to find and buy your book. Write this information down before you sign a contract with a publisher. This is referred to as ‘developing a marketing plan.’ Why is it important? Because keeping your book in print for a general audience requires monthly and annual administrative work for the publisher, and if there will be no ongoing sales, there will be no income to support doing that work. A publisher is more likely to welcome the partnership if you demonstrate that you're going to make it worth their time to accept your project.
Don’t want to promote your book? Then why use a publisher to get it into national book-seller distribution channels by assigning an ISBN, and creating all that ongoing work, when you’re never going to tell strangers about it? If all you want is a book to give to your family, or sell to your friends or associates, consider hiring someone to format your manuscript into a file that can be printed in book form, and to also create a cover file. Then, take those two files to a local printer and have your book printed. It’s a lot cheaper to do that--you can even sell your book yourself if you like. No, your book won’t appear on Amazon.com if it doesn’t have an ISBN, but books on Amazon.com are business products that require ongoing work by the publisher and the author.
Publishing a book can be a happy event in your life, or it can be a frustrating experience. Now you know how to make it a happy event. Sorry it isn’t easy--business is work.
IF YOU STILL WANT TO PUBLISH A BOOK...
...we suggest you do these four things:
- Study three books that explain self-publishing and independent-publishing. We suggest you start with “The Fine Print of Self-Publishing: Everything You Need to Know About the Costs, Contracts & Process of Self-Publishing;” Fourth Edition; by Mark Levine (we are not affiliated in any way with this author or the book’s publisher or anyone else involved in its production). Then choose two other books based on your research.
- Obtain a price quote from a book formatter to transcribe your manuscript into a computer file from which a book may be printed.
- Obtain a price quote from a book-cover designer for designing a cover and preparing a computer file from which a book cover may be printed and bound over your text.
- Obtain a price quote from a professional editor for editing your manuscript.
Following these suggestions will help you make a better decision and minimize your chances of being surprised or disappointed later.
Copyright 2011 Worded Write
