Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Authors
 


Print book available in late September 2011

Sign up for a
Self-Publishing Boot Camp Workshop
Next: Nov 12, 2011 at Stanford


This ebook is under 100 pages and provides a no-nonsense step-by-step guide to self-publishing your book fast. Follow the instructions, check off the tasks, and your book is done. Here are the steps:

1. Choose from several publishing options
This chapter recommends variations on several proven options to get your print and ebook with online retailers and in brick-and-mortar stores.

2. Clarify your mission and goals
Get a sanity check on your life-work purpose and how the book fits in.

3. Build your publishing business
Start your business as a publisher, including creating a realistic budget, pricing, and deciding how you will sell and distribute your book.

4. Develop your brand and platform
Why you, why now? Stand out in your genre, community, and on the internet.

5. Set up your website
Create a website that reflects your brand and centralizes your activities for your readers and the media.

6. Set up your social media presence
Get set up and active on the best social media sites for your unique marketing and publicity needs.

7. Begin marketing and promotion activities
Get yourself noticed on the web, in print, and among your peers. Here’s how to do it yourself and how to outsource professionals.

8. Edit and proofread
Focus on completing a quality end product. Learn how to hire out editing and proofreading.

9. Design your book
Use graphics, photography, and typography to create an attention-grabbing look and enjoyable reading experience in both print and ebook formats.

10. Get your book into the system
Identify the information systems you need to record your book in the proper databases.

11. Make your book discoverable
How to effectively use SEO techniques and metadata to make your book rank well in search engines. It’s easier than you think!

12. Format and sell your ebook
Create and sell your ebook in all the popular formats on all the popular devices with all the popular online retailers. Take your book to the next level with a multimedia-enhanced edition of your book, or even create an app based on your book for mobile devices.

13. Format and sell your print book
Print proofs, short runs, and large quantities of books using Print On Demand (POD), short-run, and offset print vendors.

14. Consider a transmedia book or a book app
Find out how transmedia ebooks and apps incorporate video, audio, images, and links to create a multimedia or even a game-like experience for the reader.