Thinking of self-publishing -- be prepared . . .

[510bhan]

http://catherineryanhoward.com/2013/08/01/did-someone-say-it-would-be-easy/

Interesting article.

[ChrisHarrison]

Interesting article indeed, but has anyone here actually met someone self-published who expected their first book to rise to the top of the charts within days? I haven't. The problem with self-publishing is the new learning curve that authors must take on. Marketing and promotion is an industry in its own right and it's not for good reason there are companies and specialists who do nothing but marketing all day. The self-published author has to learn that or pay an arm and a leg for Boggle Boggle Hapgood AZT Brand Management to do it for them. And who can afford that?

It all comes down to the dreaded word 'networking', which in th'olden days meant going to lots of parties, playing golf and backhanders to everyone with a Bentley and membership of the right clubs, but nowadays means introducing yourself to complete strangers on the internet. For anyone who isn't comfortable cold calling it's a difficult passage to walk.

I've read in a couple of places now that two to three years is a more reasonable time to expect self-published sales to beging to pretend to look reasonable and that your second book is the best thing for selling your first book; spend less time marketing and more time writing the follow up. I don't know whether that's hogwash or not, but it sounds more plausible than the get-rich-quick articles and spam that you see across social media. 

[ed]

Interesting article indeed, but has anyone here actually met someone self-published who expected their first book to rise to the top of the charts within days? I haven't. The problem with self-publishing is the new learning curve that authors must take on. Marketing and promotion is an industry in its own right and it's not for good reason there are companies and specialists who do nothing but marketing all day. The self-published author has to learn that or pay an arm and a leg for Boggle Boggle Hapgood AZT Brand Management to do it for them. And who can afford that?

It all comes down to the dreaded word 'networking', which in th'olden days meant going to lots of parties, playing golf and backhanders to everyone with a Bentley and membership of the right clubs, but nowadays means introducing yourself to complete strangers on the internet. For anyone who isn't comfortable cold calling it's a difficult passage to walk.

I've read in a couple of places now that two to three years is a more reasonable time to expect self-published sales to beging to pretend to look reasonable and that your second book is the best thing for selling your first book; spend less time marketing and more time writing the follow up. I don't know whether that's hogwash or not, but it sounds more plausible than the get-rich-quick articles and spam that you see across social media.  

Traditional publishing isn't much different. Unless you are big time author. Publishing houses will likely expect you to have a plan of action to promote your book. And if it doesn't pan out you can get dropped.

I have just released my second self-published book and I can tell you from experience its a mixed bag when it comes to promotion. I have found that 80% of your time is best spent on writing the next one and only 20% on marketing

No form of writing is a get rich scheme. At the end of the day you have to love writing otherwise your liable to give up.

[ed]

http://catherineryanhoward.com/2013/08/01/did-someone-say-it-would-be-easy/

Interesting article.

Catherine is a lovely lady i read her blog often. She has a lot of wise words.

[josefernandez]

i agree, interesting read. its not easy you have to keep going

[ed]

i agree, interesting read. its not easy you have to keep going

Without a doubt

There was a great post on konraths blog about keeping going

[510bhan]

And to offer some balance -- a success story from a couple of years ago but still relevant: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2040044/Kindle-How-make-million-writing-e-book.html

[Alice, a Country Gal]

Anyone considering publishing via e-books, even those who already have done so, should read this. It not only gives some good advise on the process, it has some great information about getting the word out after you've done so.   

[Sarah Jane Avory]

I thought I was prepared when I published my first book, knew it would be an uphill battle for sales. Then reality hit. So far I've found it way, way harder than I ever imagined.

But I'll persevere. I'm planning on never giving up, keeping on writing (because I love it so much), and see where the future takes me. Oh, and somewhere along the journey I'll read a lot of useful information and one day learn how to do promotion...

Hopefully I can also meet lots of new and interesting people, make new friends. Well, one can hope and dream, can't they..?

Sarah.

[510bhan]

Some good information [two sets of graphics near the end of the page] here showing how the e-book market is growing.

#US and UK Book Sales

and

#ebook Market Share in US and UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23682885#