Web Design Schools Guide 10 Things You Should Know About Self-Publishing

Web Design Schools Guide, a site devoted to helping students nurture a creative career, just published an article called 10 Things You Should Know About Self-Publishing.

While I agree with most of the points they make, I don’t feel like some of them are that important.  And while this isn’t labeled a TOP 10 Things You Should Know, some of these points aren’t even the first 10 I’d think of right off the top of my head if I were creating my own list. But that’s just my opinion.

Sure, you need to #1 Pick a niche.  But I don’t think you really have to #2 Study your competition.  If only for the sake of avoiding plagiarism or copying an idea that’s already out there (vampires?), if you are studying the genre you want to concentrate on, then you already know what’s out there and you know which readers you want to target.  However, do any traditional authors study their competition?  For the most part, probably not.  Just go study the teen section in your local chain bookstore and count how many covers have hot shirtless men on them that are either vampires or angels. Without reading the blurbs, I already can guess what all of those books have in common.

I agree with #3 all the way.  You are often your own editor unless you have the money up front to invest in a professional.  Buyer beware.  I’ve reviewed books that claim to have been meticulously edited by professionals and I still find mistakes.  You should definitely at least have a good friend or colleague read your book and look for mistakes.  A second opinion helps.

#4 Make your title memorable is dear to my heart.  If you’ve read my books, you know I love me some metaphors and hidden meanings.  So, I’m all about a catchy title.

#5 Self-Publishing includes self-promotion. Ummm, yep.  Search the web and whore yourself out.  Its what the competition is doing.  Just don’t be a snob.  Everyone has written a book these days so if you are attacking forums with “Read my book!”  you are probably going to get ignored.  You need to get reviews, plain and simple. Contact book bloggers.  Start a twitter account. Start a Facebook page or blog for your book. Make your book available on Kindle and Nook first.  Give your book away on GoodReads.  First and foremost, get people to read your book and help you spread the word on the web. If you do this, #6 on the list will indeed happen naturally.

#7 A literally agent isn’t necessary.  I thought this was a bit Self-Publishing 101.  That’s why it’s called self-publishing, and its kind of a given.  Am I wrong?

#8 is important.  Yes, you can win awards.  Just know a lot of self-publishing awards go to more than one book at a time.  So, know the fine lines before you start bragging that your book was THE winner. Also, don’t be afraid to change your book cover and put a badge on the cover showing what award you won.

#9 Know your audience comes hand in hand with #1 and #2 which I’ve already discussed.  If you pick a niche and know your competition, then you will certainly get to know your audience. And by doing #10, if you do it right then you will get to know your audience as well.  Go one step further though and get to know them personally.  Create an e-mailing list and send out email blasts.  Know your fans on Facebook.  Friend them on GoodReads.  In other words, get to know what they are reading when they aren’t reading you.  This will show you your competition and may help you develop new marketing leads.

Overall, this is a great list for beginners!  Lots of information that kind of goes hand-in-hand though but some important bullet points that even seasoned self-publishers could use a refresher course in.  Thanks to Web Design Schools for compiling this list and giving some attention to self-publishing.