Running a Self-Publishing Business
About 2 min read
Once your self-publishing business has been established, there are then three major tasks involved in running the business: management, production and marketing. These tasks are done concurrently.
Questions you may have include:
- What are your management activities?
- What are your production activities?
- What are your marketing activities?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Management
The management of your self-publishing business is an activity that is done every day.
Accounting
You need to keep a good record of expenses and revenue. This is to make sure you are making a profit in the business, as well as for tax purposes.
Outsourcing
Although many self-publishers do many of the tasks themselves, you still need to think of outsourcing many of your duties.
Assuming your business is not large enough to hire employees, you will primarily outsource work to be done. You need to find a good editor, designer and printer. Often, you will need a contract for the work they will do for you.
Time management
You need to manage how you spend your time in your business. Prioritize activities that result in income, as opposed to things that should be done but do not contribute that much.
Production
The production activities concern publishing your books. Major steps are:
- Accept a book proposal
- Get the book ready for printing
- Have books printed
Book proposal
The decision to publish a book starts with a book proposal. This is certainly true if you are publishing someone else’s book. But also, it is important to also determine whether your own book idea is worth pursuing.
Along with the proposal is an analysis of the market and potential demand for such a book. A tentative title should also be included.
Get ready for printing
Getting the book ready for printing consists of content and cover activities.
Get content ready:
- Writing the front and back material
- Editing manuscript
- Formatting the book in book publishing software such as Adobe FrameMaker or InDesign
- Creating a table of contents and index
Get cover ready:
- Have cover designed
- Write back cover material
- Include ISBN and price material
Create print-ready PDF file.
Have books printed
Send PDF file to your printer. Receive copies of books ready to sell.
Marketing
You start your marketing efforts before you even print your books.
You need to get an ISBN block in order to sell your books in stores or even online. You also need barcodes per book title. You need to establish outlets for selling your books. You often need to send drafts to reviewers before the book is released.
Once the book is published, you must promote it.
Summary
There are three major tasks involved in running the business, which are done concurrently. You need to manage the business activities. You must have your books ready for printing and then have them printed. Finally, you must market and sell your books.
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It’s all business
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Websites
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
Self-check your understanding
What is wrong with doing all the publishing tasks yourself?
What is an important part of getting your book ready for printing?
Why do you typically start marketing before the book is published?
Pick an answer to see instant feedback. Re-read the lesson if you miss one.
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Self-Publishing. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Also see Answers to Readers’ Questions.