How To Self Publish An Ebook in Seven Simple Steps

Always thought of writing your own book, but never quite put pen to paper for fear of no-one reading it? Don’t worry, because there’s now a thing called self-publishing which will put your book out there. Conrad Jones and Darin Jewell’s book on how to get published provides you with all the essential tips and advice you’ll need on how to self publish by writing an e-book. Forget the old traditional methods of putting pen to paper, because by using the powers of the internet and its online book publishing tools, your words can reach hundreds of people – all from the touch of a button!  

1) Don’t overcomplicate it
Most online books sell less than 200 copies, but there are some exceptions, which explode and go viral very quickly. In order for your book to become a bestseller, make sure you edit and proof read your copy. Sounds simple, but people don’t like and won’t read mistakes. If a book that is poorly edited, hard to read or difficult to fit in the market, it won’t reach a wide audience.  

2) Think about the brand
Your book represents you and will be the first impression that anybody has of you, so make sure the storyline, cover and title are right. Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth. People will talk about what they have read, some more negatively than others. Talking about your work is good, even if it might not be what you want to hear. If people like you, then they’ll want to read your book.

3) Remember the three p’s
The three key stages of publishing an e-book are pricing, production and promotion.

i) Production
When marketing your book, start local, move to regional, national and eventually international markets. If a reader hears a local landmark, river or street name, they can visualize the book as it develops.
ii) Pricing
Set a low price for your first book, but listen to the public. Some people may think they won’t be getting a quality product for 99p, so if that’s what you’re hearing, don’t be afraid to up it.
iii) Promotion
Spend time planning your promotion. Marketing is essential if you want to get your book and name out there. Set aside time everyday to update your profile, assess reviews, social network and monitor sales.

4) Don’t be over-descriptive
E-books don’t need a lot of words. You can still provide a lot of information in a simple way. Try to steer clear of telling too many stories, unless it is absolutely crucial to the plot line and the audience needs it.  

5) Keep it professional
Use an e-book template (there are loads available on the market), as this will help make your book look like it has come from a top publishing house. Include a proper title page, check your formatting is correct and that there aren’t any spaces where there shouldn’t be, or different sized fonts. Lastly, take time to make the cover eye-catching, as this will be the first thing people judge you on. If it doesn’t stand out, it can easily be overlooked.  

6) Make the book available in different formats
Today, there are many ways to browse the Internet – through a tablet, smartphone, desktop computer or even an e-book reader like a Kindle. However, all of these devices have different file formats, so make your book is available on all these devices so you can reach out to as many people as possible.

7) Use social media
Sites like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Bebo and blogs allow others to repost, share and comment about your book. It’s a great way to spread the information quickly and reach a much bigger audience. Sign up to all of these and start building followers, likes – and potential readers.