Create Your Bestseller Book
Writing and Editing
* Stop staring at that blank page. Go out and find inspiration!
* Read a book or watch a movie. Maybe you’ll figure out what you want to write about.
* Find a topic that you have a lot to say about.
* When you write, pour it all out on the pages. Don’t stress yourself with the editing… yet.
* Hire an editor! Someone else’s eyes can help spot the errors that you’ve missed.
* Prefer to do the editing yourself? Then, don’t perform any drastic editing while you’re still writing. Do it another day! Don’t break the stream of ideas. Moreover, ask someone, whose opinion matters, to read your book and give you feedback.
Design, format, and convert your eBook
* If you don’t have the skills in Photoshop, don’t push it! Hire a designer to create your book cover. Leave it to the experts.
* You can also hire someone to do the formatting and converting of your documents.
* If you want to do it by yourself, here are some tips:
- You can use software like MS Word for the formatting.
- Never use the tab button or the space-bar to indent paragraphs.
- Use one readable font for your entire manuscript.
- No page numbers.
- Create chapter headings.
- Never leave more than three blank spaces.
- You can use software such as Calibre, which will allow you to convert your manuscript into different eBook formats. Or, you can directly upload your manuscript to eBook publishing platforms that have conversion services.
Establish a marketing strategy
The 4 Ps of Marketing
Product
- Grab people’s attention with your book cover. Make your book cover prominent in your social media or in your blog.
- Hook prospective buyers with your book synopsis.
- The trick involves keywords! Focus on your metadata. Those keywords will determine the visibility of your book. So, get it right!
Placement
- Where are you going to distribute your book?
- Where are you going to promote your book?
- Are you going to blog, use social media, or use traditional media advertising?
- Do you plan on promoting your book person-to-person
Promotion
If you’re going to market your book through your blog or social media, what tactics are you going to use? Here are some suggestions:
- Video trailers
- Podcasts
- Webinars
- Contests
Are you promoting your books person-to-person? Here are some ideas:
- Book clubs
- Book festivals
- Book readings
Price
- If you have your eye on self-publishing platforms, you must know how much these platforms are allowing you to keep before you set your price.
- Are you willing to offer discounts as a form of promotion?
- Are you willing to make your book available for free for a limited time?
Find an eBook publishing platform
Which self-publishing platform is meant for you? Find out which suits you best:
Kindle Direct Publishing allows authors to publish for free. It only takes about 2 days to get your book in the market. You can reap up to 70% royalties in countries with larger markets. However, if your books are priced below $2.99, you immediately receive 35% of the royalties. If you go for their KDP Select service, you will have access to several promotional tools, given that you exclusively distribute your books through Amazon.
Smashwords provides authors an easy way to format and convert eBooks. With their free style guide, you can achieve a professional-looking eBook. Moreover, you are also allowed to distribute your books to major eBook retailers.
Blurb allows authors to create, publish, promote, and sell their own eBooks. Blurb’s services are maximized if your books are heavily designed and illustrated, such as in cookbooks, lifestyle books, photography books, fashion books, kid’s books, etc.
Bookbaby boasts that their services allow authors to keep 100% of their net sales. For a reasonable amount, you can avail of their services that’ll get you to publish, promote, and sell your eBooks. Your eBook will also be available in major eBook retailers.
Nook press charges nothing for publishing. Moreover, they have the tools to help you write, edit, and format your manuscript. They will guide you every step of the way. With their live chat services, you can easily address your concerns and questions to their support staff.
Know the tools of the trade. Don’t be too rash. Take your time to ponder and decide on what is best for your book. Good luck!
