Should you hire publishing and marketing services or go it alone? This is something many authors consider. Those without funds—who hope to make money on their books—generally go it alone. And those with little time and money to spare sometimes hire help along the way.
Essential Expenses for All Authors
No matter what—always, always save up money enough to hire an editor for your manuscript before publishing. This could cost anywhere from $600 to $3,000 (even more), depending on the condition of your manuscript and the editor you hire.
Do you need an editor if you plan to land a traditional publisher? Absolutely—YES!!
When Self-Publishing (establishing your own company or hiring a publishing service)
Whether you decide to publish an ebook or a print book, you’ll need a nice cover—even if just to display at Amazon. This could cost you anywhere from $250 to $3,500 or so. Does a cover sell books? Again, absolutely—YES!!
You will need money for publishing expenses. Again, this will vary depending on the method of publishing (ebook versus print book), size of book, cover type and so many other considerations.
If you don’t have money saved or you aren’t currently earning a salary, start recycling aluminum, take on a part-time job, cut down on your daily dose of Starbucks—whatever it takes.
What About the Cost of Promoting a Book?
Should you have a nest egg set aside for this? My book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author” is brimming with ideas that don’t cost a cent. Oh, they’ll all dip into your time—but there is little or no outlay of money in most cases. I recommend that you study this book and others like it early in your writing and publishing journey and start creating a marketing plan.
Do you need help with this? Should you hire someone to promote for you? Oh, there are scads of folks out there offering services of all kinds to authors. And there may be a time when you want to take advantage of some of them. For example, once you’ve exhausted many of your marketing ideas and feel kind of stuck, you might consider hiring the right marketing agent or firm (or publicist) for your particular book for a couple of months.
Perhaps you’ll want to hire an expert in media promotion for your book on relationships or work with an agent who can get your novel into book clubs and reviewed at major review sites, for example. Before hiring someone, be clear as to your aspirations for this book and your willingness to participate to the necessary degree. If you hire a media specialist, for example, or a good publicist, expect to be busy giving interviews and presentations all over this country.
You Are Your Best Marketing Agent
While I am a fan of good marketing agents, I always advise most of my clients and other authors I meet to take charge of their own marketing campaign. Why? No one knows your book as intimately as you do, no one cares about it as much as you do and no one can represent it as well as you can. By the time you finish writing the book, you should have a crystal clear idea of who your audience is, where they are and how to approach them. It is the personal touch that will attract your readers.
Personality Sells Books
Readers want a relationship with their authors. That’s why I urge you to get out there among your audience so they can see first-hand how credible you are in your field and/or how passionate you are about your topic. You are the best representative for your book. You should be the one addressing your audience.
Sure first-time authors may need some help along the way. Let’s talk about that tomorrow. Your assignment today is to read “Promote Your Book” and/or other books by savvy, experienced authors and start creating your marketing plan.
If you plan to go out and speak on behalf of your book, please read “Talk Up Your Book.” Both of these books are at Amazon in print, Kindle and audio as well as at many other online and downtown bookstores