Here are our top suggestions for self-published Australian authors who are just entering the world of self-publishing their first book!
Writing a great book and completing your manuscript is just the first part of being an author, and once you write ‘The end,’ the hard work really starts, which is why we wrote this article about the top suggestions for self-published Australian authors. However, these suggestions don’t just apply to Australian authors.
If you’ve been searching online for great suggestions for self-published Australian authors who are just entering the publishing world, you’ve come to the right place. Starting in the competitive self-publishing industry is never easy. It’s not without its ups and downs, and just when you think you have a good understanding, something changes, and you’re back to square one all over again.
For authors still considering their self-publishing options, we created a comprehensive guide to Amazon KDP, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for Australian Authors: The Complete Guide to Amazon KDP! This guide gives an in-depth look at how Amazon KDP works.
Top 10 Suggestions for Self-Published Australian Authors
#1 – Always Allow Yourself More Time than You Think You’ll Need
Throughout the self-publishing process, you’ll go through multiple stages, including writing, self-editing, review, editing, print and ebook formatting, cover design, proofreading, uploading and publishing, reviewing proof copies, and marketing. Each of these steps can take longer than you expect, and one delay can have a flow-on effect throughout the rest of the process.
While some components can be done simultaneously, such as cover design and editing, which will speed up the process, publishing, and marketing require all other aspects to be completed. Rather than set a date and try to rush through the preceding steps, set your publication and marketing dates close to the end of the project and allow yourself time for any last-minute changes.
#2 – You Don’t Need A Finished Book to Start Marketing
Often, we find authors rushing through the final stages of the self-publishing process, cover design or formatting, just to get the book published so they can start marketing. While the finished book will be needed eventually, there’s a lot of pre-release marketing that you can do to build suspense with potential readers and grow your audience.
Things to set before you release your book include setting up your social media accounts and establishing your brand, setting up an imprint if you plan on publishing multiple books, pre-release teasers, book blurb teasers, cover reveal teasers, videos, pre-order sales, and much more.
#3 – Invest In Your Book
You spend hundreds, even thousands of hours writing a book. You pour your heart and soul into your manuscript, writing, re-writing, and self-editing, so why cut corners or look for budget options when it comes to editing, proofreading, ebook or paperback formatting, and cover design?
Just because a book is self-published, it doesn’t and shouldn’t need to look self-published. Don’t cut corners when it comes to finishing your book. According to WordsRated, between 30 and 34% of all ebooks alone on Amazon are self-published, but no one can tell the difference between traditionally published and self-published books when they’re done well.
#4 – Never Hesitate to Reach Out for Help
Tackling every part of the self-publishing process is like a badge of honor for a lot of self-published authors, but it’s essential to know not only when you’re out of depth but that it’s okay to ask for help. Being an indie author or self-published author doesn’t mean that you can’t reach out for professional self-publishing services, ask for help with cover design, or get your paperback or ebook professionally formatted.
Likewise, there are a lot of resources out there for self-published authors. One of the organizations we personally recommend and are a member of is The Alliance of Independent Authors. It’s an independent organization that provides advice, resources, and support to authors worldwide and is well worth joining.
#5 – Book Covers Sell Books
While it’s romantic to think that it’s what’s inside your book that counts, and people don’t judge a book by its cover, and once you have built a solid following, this is closer to the truth, your cover is the first thing that attracts potential readers and entices them to take the next step, read the description, and ultimately choose whether or not they’ll buy your book.
According to a ThriftBooks/One Poll survey, over 57% of readers purchase or read a book based purely on the cover. So, if you’re thinking that your cover is just okay or could do with a little more attention to detail, invest a little more in your cover until it really stands out from the crowd.
#6 – Listen to Professional Advice
As you navigate the self-publishing process and get help with formatting, editing, cover design, or marketing, be open to advice, recommendations, and suggestions from the professionals you’re working with.
When you work with professionals, you’re paying for their experience. If you go into cover design or formatting unwilling to take advice or recommendations, which could significantly improve the finished project, you’re ultimately limiting the potential of your book and the ability of the people you work with to deliver a fantastic and professional finished product.
For example, did you know that book formatters generally follow a professional standard, the Chicago Manual of Style, which determines how elements in your book are laid out? While there is some room for deviation, your formatting should follow these guidelines. Remember, just because someone else did it one way doesn’t mean it’s the right way.
#7 – Build A Community Around You and Your Book
Great authors and successful authors don’t just write a book. They build a community of readers around their books, which sets them up for success when they release additional books.
It can be one of the most difficult and challenging marketing tasks, but investing time and resources into building an avid and enthusiastic community of readers around you will help set you up for future success.
#8 – Seek Out Free Marketing Opportunities
There are a lot, and I mean a lot, of free marketing opportunities and ways that you can market both yourself as an author and your book. Many authors believe that marketing their book is the hardest part of self-publishing and also the most time-consuming, and they’re not wrong. Often, the hard work starts once you hit the publish button.
Some free marketing opportunities include author interviews, podcasts, guest posting, author takeovers, in-person readings, pop-ups, and so much more. Just like you, there’s an author out there looking to promote their book, and by working with authors in similar genres, you can both mutually gain new followers.
#9 – Build An Email List
Building an email list not only applies to authors, and it’s nothing new, but it could be one of your most productive projects. If someone reads one of your books and enjoys it, having their email means that you can contact them when you release a new book, look for reviews, and advise them about what books you’re currently working on.
#10 – Listen to Your Editor
No one enjoys having their hard work poked and prodded at. The editing process, especially for first-time authors, can be difficult. However, it’s important to remember that your editor has your best interests at heart. They want your book to be the best version of itself possible, and through the editing process, they’ll make several recommendations that they believe will improve your story.
Ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s up to you whether you choose to listen to your editor or not. However, going into the editing process with your eyes and ears open will deliver much better results and a much better-finished product than believing you’re right and your editor is wrong.
Great Suggestions For Self-Published Authors | Conclusion
We hope that you enjoyed our article on suggestions for self-published Australian authors. Be sure to check back regularly. We are constantly updating our articles with the latest author news, author tips, and self-publishing advice.
If you have any questions about the self-publishing process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
At Author Services Australia, we support Australian and New Zealand self-published authors and writers with a full range of affordable self-publishing services, including ghostwriting, copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, ebook and paperback formatting, book cover design, children’s book illustrations, graphic design services, manuscript uploading assistance, and social media and marketing.
