Veteran authors offer "11 smart tips for self-publishing success". (Self-Publishing).Newsletter and specialized information publishers who are looking to expand their franchize (and solidify so·lid·i·fy v. so·lid·i·fied, so·lid·i·fy·ing, so·lid·i·fies v.tr. 1. To make solid, compact, or hard. 2. To make strong or united. v.intr. their reputation) by publishing a book would do well to note that it's estimated that 500,000 writers submit work to publishers annually. The vast majority of these manuscripts are rejected. "Jilted jilt tr.v. jilt·ed, jilt·ing, jilts To deceive or drop (a lover) suddenly or callously. n. One who discards a lover. authors are triumphing over this inequity by discovering a secret strength in the American adage 'do-it-yourself,"' write Tom and Marilyn Ross, heads of About Books Inc. "They are taking control of their own destiny! Every month, thousands of authors turn to self-publishing." Here are "11 Smart Tips for Self-Publishing Success" from their newly revised and expanded 4th edition of The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing: Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, Promote and Sell Your Own Book. * Know your competition so you can write a superior book. How can you make your book better, more complete, funnier, easier to use? * Write for a niche market A niche market also known as a target market is a focused, targetable portion (subset) of a market sector. By definition, then, a business that focuses on a niche market is addressing a need for a product or service that is not being addressed by mainstream providers. that you can locate and penetrate effectively. We can't impress the whole world, but we can be a big fish in a small pond if we choose carefully. * Get help with editing and your cover. These are two areas where you must have professional assistance; your self-published book needs to be a quality product. * Educate yourself. Publishing is a business. You need to read books, attend seminars, and join groups where you can network and learn the "insider secrets" of your craft. * Pursue free print publicity: reviews, mentions, features, author profiles, pieces you write and submit, book excerpts, etc. Print has "pass along" value and staying power. * "Recycle re·cy·cle tr.v. re·cy·cled, re·cy·cling, re·cy·cles 1. To put or pass through a cycle again, as for further treatment. 2. To start a different cycle in. 3. a. " that publicity anywhere and everywhere; the second time around is often more important. People like to climb onto a moving bandwagon band·wag·on n. 1. An elaborately decorated wagon used to transport musicians in a parade. 2. Informal A cause or party that attracts increasing numbers of adherents: . * Apply the 80/20 rule that says 80 percent of your results or sales will come from 20 percent of your effort or customers. Determine who they are and concentrate your energies on them. * Make it easy for people to do what you want them to do. Offer credit cards and a toll-free number, write your own mock review, add an order form to the back of your book, etc. * Include the internet in your marketing mix. Create a dynamic web site, seek links, offer your content to other sites, look for places that review and sell books online. * Follow up, follow up, follow up. It often takes seven impressions before someone says, "Yes." Use phone calls, faxes, e-mail, and regular mail to stay in touch with prime prospects. * Have a passion for what you do! No one cares about your book as much as you do. Write and produce the best book possible, then never give- up on it. You can change lives! The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, 4th edition, by Tom and Marilyn Ross, 521 pp., 53 illustrations, appendices ap·pen·di·ces n. A plural of appendix. , glossary A term used by Microsoft Word and adopted by other word processors for the list of shorthand, keyboard macros created by a particular user. See glossaries in this publication and The Computer Glossary. bibliography, index, $19.99, Writer's Digest Writer's Digest, established in 1920, is a United States magazine devoted to both beginning and established writers, offering interviews, market listings, calls for manuscripts, and how-to articles. Books, an imprint im·print tr.v. im·print·ed, im·print·ing, im·prints 1. To produce (a mark or pattern) on a surface by pressure. 2. To produce a mark on (a surface) by pressure. 3. of F&W Publications, www.writersdigest.com |
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