So I originally wrote this six weeks ago and just haven’t gotten around to posting it. The purpose of this post it to help encourage others in their journey of self-publishing. A few things to note before we get started. I am very blunt and do not walk on eggshells. If those actions rustle your jimmies (ie you trigger easily and need a support group) then please do not read any further.
I also do not share genre nor financial data. Without me posting links/images, I could just as well lie anyways, so take what you believe and discard the rest.
OK, so here is the TLDR. I am making a full time living at this ten months in. For the rest of you, here is my story, what I have learned, and some tips that may help you as well.
I published my first book ten months ago and it sold approx fifty copies and then it died. Some of the feedback was kind, others really ripped into it in detail. Now I did not cry nor did I start working on a grand conspiracy thinking the world was against me. Instead, I listened to what the readers were saying and a light bulb went off.
A month later, I published my second novel and then it did really well. I crossed into a month where I paid all my bills with no ads or promotions and haven’t looked back since.
After a few more releases, I hit it big. I knocked one out of the park. My income for two months shot up and I thought the world was mine.
Assuming the next book would be a hit, my ego was shattered when it did not even come close to sales as the previous. At this point I entered denial stage, a stage you might be at in your career. Fast forward another two books and then reality hit. I was messing up and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. So I went back over my launch strategies that I had learned. My covers, my blurbs, etc. And most importantly, my writing. What I realized was that I had become lazy, churning out some really horrible books. The covers were sh*te and the blurbs were rushed. So I went back and worked on them and then became serious once again.
Ten months into this I am doing very well financially. I say this not to brag but to encourage others that there is money to be made at this, regardless of what the doomsayers cry.
I'm still learning more about ads, newsletters and understanding that the game changes monthly, sometimes even faster. Here are some tips that may help you out.
1. You have to be honest with yourself. And sometimes it’s hard and you don’t want to face reality. It is far easier to blame x,y and z than admit the fault lies with you somewhere along the path. I have had my head bitten off for suggesting this, so check your ego and then check your business. Or don’t and spend your writing career crying on Internet boards.
2. This is a business and I don't know about you, but I couldn’t give two sh%ts what the Muppet next to me thinks. I am here to make money and lots of it. I don’t care about my feelings or what someone has said. Any negative feedback on my books are important and I value them because I learn from most of them. But ultimately, the most important feedback, the feedback that matters the most, is the end of the month earning report. Think about that.
3. Cover and Blurbs- I know everyone harps on this and it gets old, but they are right. If you are not a graphic designer, hire a designer now. If you cannot afford one, then buy a pre-made. If you cannot do that, then do not publish your book. I don’t care what your nan said, she is lying to you. You must understand the following if you want to make it. Your friends and family will lie to your face. They will give you false confidence. Stop listening to them.
As to the blurbs, write and rewrite them. Do not stop. Ever.
4. At this point, you are defensive. What does Trioxin know? My grandma/cousin/sister/writing group loves my book. Really? How much do they make from writing? A whole tenner? Keep listening to them if you want, I wouldn't.
5. If you have done the above and you have played with ads and promotions and you cannot move your books or if there is no sell-through, I am going to give you the best bit of advice you will need. —It is your writing. Let that sink in. Yes, you are responsible for your written words and you need a professional (Editor) to look at it. Not the writing group, not your Nan or the man down the road. Because your writing is horrible and you need to come to grips with it no matter how much it hurts. But do not despair because it can be fixed. If you can get past that and improve your writing, you are going to do very well. There is loads of money left in this game, but how bad do you want it?
6. Bookbubs. My first one I was stressing until Patty Jansen told me to just let it go and get busy writing. I have applied twice and been approved twice (Both books are not wide). Pro Tip—The comment box, don’t use it to sell your book, your blurb does that. Instead, talk to the humans who are reading it. They work for a business, this area is to tell them why you are good for their business. Simple really.
7. You need to be your harshest critic. Scrutinize your business and then do something about it. Crying “woe is me” will get your pity points on message boards but it does not pay the bills. Everything can be fixed, old books can be made new.
8. What works for Bob will never work for Sue. Read different strategies and develop your own over time. With each release you should be learning something new and discarding old tactics.
So that’s it. Most of the advice you will have already read from others. Sounds so damn simple, and the truth is, it really is. Pull up your trousers, go look at your blurbs and covers and start asking yourself some honest questions.
