Move over Sophie Howard, step aside Dale L Roberts, I have just written a book on how to set up your own small publishing business. You are reading an Australian self-publishing blog, so prices are in Australian dollars except where marked.
Set Up as a Micro Publisher supports the aims of more than one type of person. First, it helps novice self-publishers understand the hurdles ahead. Second, there are many tips on foundations and tools so that a small Co-operative Publisher or Hybrid Book Publishing team can get a shortcut to learning. Third, for those speed writing, a chapter covers my Writing Hacks — proven methods to help you write books faster.
With the major problem I encountered of gaining natural reviews, I also include vetted book review sites, including pre- and post-review subscription sites that are from US$10 per month. Certainly don’t wait around for people to review your book.
Set Up as a Micro Publisher gives you the truth about potential hurdles ahead in Publishing Myths and Assumptions, Busted!
As someone who learns entrepreneurship on the side, I make sure to include any kind of TOOL, LOW COST or FREE RESOURCE that will help the new publisher to grow their book sales. This includes book market analysis tools and a book description generator.
What’s My Main Message to Indie Publishers?
The main message of the book is: Think Markets, not Marketplaces. That means we don’t rely on Amazon to sell books.
Promises of huge online distribution obscure the truth: that it’s no good having titles on all the marketplaces without having a go-to-market strategy that attracts readers. It’s also tempting to ‘buy’ a sale through advertising rather than build a brand and following over time.
You as the author-publisher need to plan a well-rounded launch campaign. (I’ve borrowed the GTM term from the startup space because: think different).
Here’s how I explain the Go-To-Market plan:
The Go-To-Market Plan starts with a product. Your current product is a book, one of many perhaps. The way to do a market plan is to identify your niche market segment, make your product as professionally as possible, and then create strong messages so your ‘product’ stands out and resonates with this audience.
Then I say how to define the right market segment, where your message intersects with their needs and desires. This market and message focus is how great books sell in the first place.
Learning from Others and Statistics
It has been a learning experience to read about how James Clear (of Authors Equity) and Alex Hormozi sell their books, and so I included their case stories to look at different ways of positioning and selling books.
We also look at how many Australians read, whether kids read anymore, the harsh truths about ACX audiobook royalties, and trends in consumer patterns.
I include a long list of marketing tasks by timeline – as well as a tip on creating a launch project in Asana. If you put those two things together, the clever clogs out there will get an easy book launch project list. When I was writing my earlier books, I would’ve been super glad to get such a list, especially with the reminder prompts provided by Asana. (Almost like your mother nagging you: have you done that review list yet? What about a photo of you with your proof?)
Book Buying for Set Up as a Micro Publisher
Did you know? You can ask for a review copy of my book and copyright law says that you can use short excerpts in order to review the book. Post the review to your blog or get paid a few cents from Boomerang Books.
Of course, Amazon is the place all of us authors want reviews at — and it’s best if you buy the $1.49 eBook so it’s all verified. That’s a limited time offer from NOW until May 17. Then it will be $5.99. See Amazon.com.au
The paperback book will be out on 14-17 May and it will be $25 + $4.50 P&H from my Bookstore, or a little or a lot more from other stores. The freight in Australia is standard and so takes from 4 to 8 days, if the pigeons are flying.
