Chris Spiegl
Self-publishing a book nowadays is much easier now than it was just 20 short years ago.
Digital printing didn’t exist in those days, and you’d have to pay a printing company a considerable sum of money to print up thousands of copies of your book—and hope it would sell. Advancements in computer and printing technologies have made it easier than ever to self-publish—and promote—your literary masterpiece. We’re going to show you five great tips that you should consider when self-publishing your book:
Get Constructive Criticism
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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash[/caption]
Before you invest any more time or money into your book, have a friend, or family member read over your rough draft. Ask them for honest and constructive criticism. You can even create a list of questions they need to answer after reading it. This will help you determine if you’ve effectively gotten your message across. Even the best writers out there sometimes get tunnel vision and may miss a considerable plot hole or forget to add something that can make the book shine.
Hire an Editor and a Proofreader
Even the best writers out there will take advantage of the benefits of hiring an editor and proofreader. Generally speaking, the editor does his or her job first, and the proofreader performs a final check before publication. The editor looks at the book as a whole while the proofreader checks for spelling, clarity, and grammatical issues.
You can expect to spend upwards of several hundred to several thousands of dollars to get your book edited and proofread. While it may seem tempting to forgo these two critical steps in self-publishing a book, keep in mind that a good editor and proofreader can often turn a mediocre book into a work of art.
Design a Good Book Cover
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Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash[/caption]
Despite the old saying, many people tend to gauge the overall value of a book by its proverbial cover. A professional book designer can help you create a perfect cover, synopsis, and page design/layout to entice people to buy it—and keep reading it on through to the last chapter. Selecting the perfect binding is also very important as it will complement both the layout and the design. You can choose from one of over 15 different styles of bookbinding that will make your book irresistible to pick up and read.
Get an ISBN Number
ISBN is short for “International Standard Book Number,” and it helps provide essential information about you and your book to both publishers and sellers. It also gives you credit as the author. No matter if you plan on selling your book in a brick-and-mortar store, or on an online site such as Amazon Books, you’re required to have an ISBN number.
There are many websites out there that offer “free” ISBNs. You should avoid these sites altogether as their hidden terms and conditions could limit your publishing and distribution rights. A basic ISBN costs around $125 and gives you total control over the sales, publishing, and distribution of your new book.
Find a Professional Printer
A professional book printer, such as AlphaGraphics in Downtown Raleigh, is an invaluable asset and ally, especially for first-time authors. Our experts can help guide you through the sometimes complex and confusing world of book printing and distribution.
We offer several attractive publishing packages for budgets and goals of all sizes. We help cut out the middlemen that many self-publishers find themselves forced to work with. This translates into greater cost savings and provides you the value of our years of experience.
Develop Your Book Launch Strategy
Once your new book is printed up, it’s now time to create a launch and marketing plan. Here are some things to consider:
- An excellent social media marketing campaign can generate a flood of interest in your new book.
- Mailing and book distribution services can help alleviate the headache of warehousing your books in your garage and having to run down to the post office every time someone buys a copy.
- A professionally designed website can also help market and promote the book. It will also give your readers a chance to get to know you, the author. You can add an opt-in form to collect their information so you can send them an email when your second book hits the shelves.
Book Design and Publishing in Downtown Raleigh
No matter if you’re a first-time author or an experienced writer, AlphaGraphics of Downtown Raleigh can help save you time, money, and alleviate many of the headaches associated with self-publishing. At AlphaGraphics of Raleigh, we’re much more than a print shop. We’re also marketing experts who you can count on to help you when it comes time to market your business. To learn more about how AlphaGraphics of Downtown Raleigh can help with your small business sign needs, you may email us or request a quote or call us at (919) 832-2828.