Thanks largely (though not exclusively) to the model and tools provided to us by Amazon, self publishing continues to experience a meteoric rise in popularity. Not all self publishing efforts though are created equal. Below are some tips to help get you ahead of the curve.
The numbers are pretty revealing. Analysis of U.S. ISBN data shows the number of self-published titles in 2012 increasing to an excess of 391,000. As a percentage, this figure is up 59 percent over 2011 and 422 percent over 2007.
This phenomenal expansion has been the result of the e-book revolution. By 2012 e-books were 40% of those self published ISBNs. That's an increase from 11% in 2007 - nearly a 400% rise.
The aspiring, self published author ought to be drawing two conclusions from these numbers. First, your opportunities have never shone brighter. Second, never has the competition been fiercer in the self publishing world.
As the field thickens it becomes ever more imperative for you to distinguish yourself. If you're self publishing on Amazon, you have some tools that need to be optimized. It would be self defeating to do otherwise. Here are three things to consider. They won't guarantee success of your book, but they will prevent putting yourself at a disadvantage from the get-go.
Begin with your author's page. There is provided a place to post a photo. Surprisingly (or maybe not) most beginners post their book's cover art. I strongly recommend against this, unless of course your book cover has a picture of your smiling face.
Authors seem to assume no one wants to see what they look like. Actually though that is exactly wrong. It turns out a feeling of connection to the author can be a huge factor in prospective readers pulling out the old credit card on behalf of a book. However great your cover art, it is almost guaranteed that some sense of a connection to you will be more influential.
Classic, shoulders-up, head shots are generally the best. Obviously it helps if you're good looking, so don't be hesitant about choosing your most flattering shot. But, whatever you look like, a personal photo is better than not having one. And do be sure to smile at the camera! (And, no sunglasses!)
Secondly, the author's page also offers occasion to write a blurb about who you are. Way too many aspiring authors treat this opportunity in far too cavalier a manner. As with the matter of the photo, a belief that your book speaks for itself is indeed cavalier.
It doesn't matter how good your book is, it can only speak for itself if people read it! Your job is to get them to read it. If a prospective reader comes to think that the author is interesting enough to have written something they'll find worth reading that is some considerable distance in the right direction.
You're a writer, right? So write. Make yourself sound interesting. And an emphasis upon those aspects of your personality and biography that would make you a good candidate to produce a revealing and compelling book on the topic of your actual book is a good idea.
If it's a cook book, what is your culinary resume? If it's a detective novel set in 1890s New York, how do you come to have such as expertise on the time period? If it's a how-to book, let them know how your background should will give them confidence that you really do know how? You're following the gist of the mission, I presume.
Third, last, but oh so far from least, is the description of your book. Honestly, the writing of this is actually more challenging than the writing of your book. Once they've invested in your book, most readers - unless they just hate it - will give you at least 20 pages or so to win them over. In your book description you literally have about 20-30 seconds to win them over.
Again, the book can't speak for itself until prospective readers have bought it. Until then, you've got to speak for it. The short version is simply this: all in a few sentences, you have tell them, entice them and show them.
Explaining all this is another whole article on its own. If you want a detailed explanation of what's involved, have a gander at my piece dedicated to the topic of doing your book description well.
What we've covered here should go a long ways in improving your potential for success on Amazon. Getting these points right is essential to keeping your book from falling behind the curve right out of the gate. Self publishing on Amazon is a challenge and an opportunity. You have to successfully address the former if you hope to benefit from the latter.
The numbers are pretty revealing. Analysis of U.S. ISBN data shows the number of self-published titles in 2012 increasing to an excess of 391,000. As a percentage, this figure is up 59 percent over 2011 and 422 percent over 2007.
This phenomenal expansion has been the result of the e-book revolution. By 2012 e-books were 40% of those self published ISBNs. That's an increase from 11% in 2007 - nearly a 400% rise.
The aspiring, self published author ought to be drawing two conclusions from these numbers. First, your opportunities have never shone brighter. Second, never has the competition been fiercer in the self publishing world.
As the field thickens it becomes ever more imperative for you to distinguish yourself. If you're self publishing on Amazon, you have some tools that need to be optimized. It would be self defeating to do otherwise. Here are three things to consider. They won't guarantee success of your book, but they will prevent putting yourself at a disadvantage from the get-go.
Begin with your author's page. There is provided a place to post a photo. Surprisingly (or maybe not) most beginners post their book's cover art. I strongly recommend against this, unless of course your book cover has a picture of your smiling face.
Authors seem to assume no one wants to see what they look like. Actually though that is exactly wrong. It turns out a feeling of connection to the author can be a huge factor in prospective readers pulling out the old credit card on behalf of a book. However great your cover art, it is almost guaranteed that some sense of a connection to you will be more influential.
Classic, shoulders-up, head shots are generally the best. Obviously it helps if you're good looking, so don't be hesitant about choosing your most flattering shot. But, whatever you look like, a personal photo is better than not having one. And do be sure to smile at the camera! (And, no sunglasses!)
Secondly, the author's page also offers occasion to write a blurb about who you are. Way too many aspiring authors treat this opportunity in far too cavalier a manner. As with the matter of the photo, a belief that your book speaks for itself is indeed cavalier.
It doesn't matter how good your book is, it can only speak for itself if people read it! Your job is to get them to read it. If a prospective reader comes to think that the author is interesting enough to have written something they'll find worth reading that is some considerable distance in the right direction.
You're a writer, right? So write. Make yourself sound interesting. And an emphasis upon those aspects of your personality and biography that would make you a good candidate to produce a revealing and compelling book on the topic of your actual book is a good idea.
If it's a cook book, what is your culinary resume? If it's a detective novel set in 1890s New York, how do you come to have such as expertise on the time period? If it's a how-to book, let them know how your background should will give them confidence that you really do know how? You're following the gist of the mission, I presume.
Third, last, but oh so far from least, is the description of your book. Honestly, the writing of this is actually more challenging than the writing of your book. Once they've invested in your book, most readers - unless they just hate it - will give you at least 20 pages or so to win them over. In your book description you literally have about 20-30 seconds to win them over.
Again, the book can't speak for itself until prospective readers have bought it. Until then, you've got to speak for it. The short version is simply this: all in a few sentences, you have tell them, entice them and show them.
Explaining all this is another whole article on its own. If you want a detailed explanation of what's involved, have a gander at my piece dedicated to the topic of doing your book description well.
What we've covered here should go a long ways in improving your potential for success on Amazon. Getting these points right is essential to keeping your book from falling behind the curve right out of the gate. Self publishing on Amazon is a challenge and an opportunity. You have to successfully address the former if you hope to benefit from the latter.
About the Author:
If you're an aspiring self publisher, you need to stay on top of all the hottest tips and trends at Self Publishing on Amazon . Lance Fallbrook regularly scribbles about writing and writers at a variety of writing related websites. Check out his controversial list of top 20 most famous American authors .
No comments:
Post a Comment