Traditional book publishing can be a challenging process. You send out drafts, wait for responses that may never come, and try to remain positive in the face of potential rejection. Even if you secure a publisher, you’ll spend months negotiating creative direction and profit sharing.

However, there is another way. You can write, edit, publish, and sell your book without going through traditional publishing gatekeepers.

We had a conversation with Julie Broad, author of “Self-Publish & Succeed” and founder of self-publishing service Book Launchers, about the advantages of self-publishing and how to get started.

Why self-publish your book?

When you choose to self-publish your book, you have the following benefits:

Keep your intellectual property rights

“With traditional publishing, the author sells their intellectual property rights to the publisher,” Julie explains. Some authors are comfortable with this arrangement, but it can be problematic for others—especially nonfiction authors.

“If you’re a business owner who spent 20 years developing a methodology, you don’t want a publisher to own that methodology,” Julie says. The same applies to authors with personal stories. “They don’t want to be told how their story has to be presented.” For these writers, keeping their intellectual property rights is a key benefit of self-publishing.

Make more money per book sold

In traditional publishing, sales go to the publishing company, which then pays royalties to the author. These royalty fees can be small. “You’re lucky if you get a dollar per print book sold,” Julie says.

With self-publishing, you’ll pay distributor fees, but without a publishing company taking a large cut, you’ll make more money on each book—about $5 to $6 per print book sold, according to Julie.

Control your business and creative decisions

As a self-published author, you have the freedom to make decisions about your book. “You can give it away for free if you want to, you can sell it in bulk at a discount, you could trade books for magazine coverage or space on a stage,” Julie says. “When you’re with a publisher, they have to make their money per book sold.” This means they might restrict these options.

You can even sell your self-published book to a publisher later. “Some authors will self-publish their book and then they’ll get a traditional deal and it will make sense for them to take it,” Julie says. “You’re never tied to self-publishing.”

How to self-publish your book in 8 steps

1. Know your reader
2. Work with the right editors
3. Create an eye-catching cover
4. Pick your publishing platform
5. Format your book
6. Get an ISBN
7. Create a Shopify store
8. Market your book

Your self-publishing journey will differ from other authors, but these essential steps will help you through the process:

1. Know your reader

“You should be thinking about how you’re going to market your book before you’re done writing it,” Julie advises. That doesn’t mean creating a complete marketing strategy—it’s about understanding your reader.

“Get as specific as you can,” Julie says. “Don’t write for everybody—really identify a reader and speak to them with the words they use.” Having a clear reader in mind makes writing and publishing easier. “A lot of people write their book and then try to figure out how to market it. But it can be really hard to make a book marketable after it’s already done.”

2. Work with the right editors

Your book will compete with traditionally published books in the same stores and marketplaces. To make your book just as polished, work with these types of editors, in this order:

• Content editor: Reviews your manuscript and suggests structural changes, like cutting or adding passages.
• Fact checker: For nonfiction books, verifies your claims and research.
• Copy editor: Polishes your manuscript with grammar and spelling suggestions.
• Proofreader: Provides a final review to catch any remaining errors before publication.

“A lot of people end up getting the wrong edit at the wrong time because they don’t realize there are different kinds of editors,” Julie says.

As a self-published author, you choose your own editors. Find freelance editors through:

You can also work with a service like Julie’s company, Book Launchers, to get matched with editors.

3. Create an eye-catching cover

Your cover is your book’s main visual selling point across online retailers, marketplaces, and your online store. When designing your cover or working with a designer, think like a marketer:

• Design for thumbnails: Your cover will appear smaller in most online stores.
• Make your title easy to read: Help readers remember your book.
• Consider the spine and back cover: Important for print book sales.

Find cover designers through the same freelance platforms you used for editing. If you have design experience, try free tools like:

4. Pick your publishing platform

With your polished manuscript and cover ready, it’s time to publish. You might use several platforms depending on how you plan to sell your book.

Julie uses multiple platforms for different purposes:

Most of these platforms offer print-on-demand services, where books are printed and shipped at the point of sale. This approach helps keep costs low, eliminates expensive inventory storage, and saves you time by outsourcing manufacturing and distribution. Other print-on-demand options include Lulu Direct, which integrates with Shopify, and Blurb, which includes design tools for photo books.

5. Format your book

Before publishing, you’ll need to prepare your book with professional formatting. Research platform requirements early, as they may differ between publishers.

Most self-publishing companies need two files: your manuscript file for interior pages and your cover file for the outside of your book (front cover, spine, and back cover).

When formatting your manuscript, include these key elements:

• Trim and margins: Set your page height and width (trim) according to platform options, then determine margin sizes.
• Half-title page: Place this on the first right-facing page with just your book’s title—no page numbers.
• Title page: Include your name and subtitle on this page. You can add your logo, but it’s optional for self-publishers.
• Copyright page: Place this on the first left-facing page after the title page with your copyright information.

If you’re unsure about what to include in your book, you can use this handy template as a guide. Keep your dedication page short, with only one or two sentences on the next right-facing page. Include a table of contents listing your chapters and sections with their corresponding page numbers. Start each chapter with a title page, including page numbers but skipping headers. On regular pages, add headers with your name on the left pages and the book title on the right pages. For non-fiction books, include a bibliography and references to credit your sources. Don’t forget to add your author bio with a brief biography and photo. If applicable, include an index listing topics alphabetically with their corresponding page numbers at the end.

Source: https://scribemedia.com/book-copyright-page/

How to Improve Your WordPress Website Performance

Introduction

Having a fast-loading website is crucial for user experience, SEO rankings, and conversion rates. Here are some tips to improve your WordPress website’s performance.

Optimize Images

Large image files can slow down your website. Make sure to resize and compress images before uploading them to WordPress. You can also use plugins like WP Smush to optimize images automatically.

Use a Caching Plugin

Caching plugins create static versions of your website, reducing the server load and improving loading times. Popular caching plugins for WordPress include W3 Total Cache and WP Super Cache.

Minimize Plugins

Having too many plugins can bog down your website. Remove any unnecessary plugins and regularly update the ones you do use to ensure they are not causing performance issues.

Choose a Fast Hosting Provider

Your hosting provider plays a significant role in your website’s speed. Opt for a reliable hosting provider with fast servers and good customer support. Consider options like SiteGround or Bluehost.

Enable GZIP Compression

GZIP compression reduces the size of files sent from your server to the user’s browser, resulting in faster loading times. You can enable GZIP compression through your hosting provider or a plugin like W3 Total Cache.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is website speed important?

Website speed affects user experience, SEO rankings, and conversion rates. A fast-loading website keeps users engaged and satisfied, leading to higher search engine rankings and increased conversions.

2. How do I know if my website is slow?

You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test your website’s speed and performance. These tools provide insights and recommendations on how to improve your website’s speed.

3. Can I improve my website’s speed without technical knowledge?

Yes, there are many user-friendly plugins and tools available for WordPress that can help improve your website’s speed without requiring technical expertise. Follow the tips mentioned above and seek help from WordPress forums or support if needed.

4. What is the ideal page load time for a website?

Ideally, a website should load within 2-3 seconds to provide a seamless user experience. Slow-loading websites can lead to high bounce rates and decreased user engagement.

5. How often should I optimize my website for speed?

It is recommended to regularly monitor and optimize your website for speed, especially after making changes or updates. Set a schedule to check your website’s performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal speed and performance.