Are you thinking of or about to self-publish your book?

STOP!!

Please, please, please make sure you do the following 5 things to ensure a professional looking, feeling and sounding book. Because no matter what, your book represents you! So after all your hard work of writing your book please make sure you put time, energy and effort into:

1. Front & Back Cover - So many times I have seen authors beautifully written book look like a dogs dinner. Think of your potential reader looking at your book as what they want to consume, ie like your book is a delicious treat being showcased in a cafe display case, would the cover entice and intrigue them? It doesnt have to look like a piece of art, however it still needs to look good and the title and subtitle tantalises and talks to their needs/desires.

2. Professional Editor - Please hire a professional editor for the all that is good in the world of books. There is nothing worse then buying a book that you are excited to read… and than sentences don flow, are spelling ant grammatical errors. (See what I did there) It really does jarr the reader and their experience. They are paying for your book with the expectations of learning something from you & being taken on a journeying through your story telling.

3. Get an Author’s Mindset (A successful one) - a lot of writers will only be a writer. There is nothing wrong with that unless you want to be a published author. When you publish a book, there will be fear, angst, limiting beliefs of who am I to publish a book? Who will want to read my books? Then there is the fear of being seen, the fear of speaking etc. All these limiting beliefs will set you up for failure. So yes, you can still publish even though you’re feeling and experiencing these mindset. However, you must work on them. To be a successful author, mindset is a daily practice for many.

4. Marketing - a lot of authors think that writing a book is the hardest part. Sorry, it’s not. The hardest part is marketing your book. It always takes longer than expected and it takes a lot of energy time and money to get your book out in the world and to sell it. You can engage different marketing experts, PR Agencies, Amazon ads experts, etc. Yet you still have to have a understanding of what an undertaking marketing can be and to be ready for it. So, before you even have published your book start looking at marketing. Look at the ways you can start building a foundation for your marketing such as social media platforms, youtube channel, website, being on podcast etc. Be creative and look at alternative and unique pathways to market that aligns with who you are and who your book is for.

5. Get support- if you are struggling to:

📕 Write your book

📕 Get your book professionally edited

📕 Get a cover professionally designed

📕 Know where or how to publish your book or 📕 Market your book

Please know that there’s support out there whether it’s someone like me who can help with any part of the process. Or a professional in each area. You don’t have to do it ALL or do it alone.

Lastly, Believe in yourself and your book. Yes this comes under mindset however I believe to truly publish a book, you must believe in it because why would anyone else believe in it if you don’t? Trust that you wrote this for a reason and who are you not to share your story? Whether it be a children’s book or self-help book.