3 Simple Rules for Self-Publishing Your Book | Copywriter Corner | Branding Tips

Karmen Cook
May 3, 2018
3 min read

It's time for the fourth installation of Copywriter Corner with Karmen Cook of

Karmen Copy! Each month she will be serving up lots of tips to help you create copy that will attract your ideal client. Raise your hand if you struggle with putting your thoughts into words on the page or have lots of ideas and struggle with organizing them then this series is for you! Better yet, go ahead and invest in your brand and reach out to Karmen today! Trust me...after reading this you will be hitting her up ASAP or at least following her Instagram too (she shares awesome tips there y'all)! So, enough from me. Let's see what Karmen has to say about...

3 Simple Rules for Self-Publishing Your Book

Hey!

Yes, you!

Someone told me you were writing a book, and I think that’s great! So many people have big plans to write books, but somewhere along the way, everything seems to fall apart. I don’t want that to happen to you, so hopefully, you’ll take three pieces of (unsolicited) advice from me. (keep scrolling)

1. Remember the “SELF” in self-publishing.

Don’t be that person out here berating customer service reps of notable, FREE self-publishing platforms because they won’t “fix” your files for you. Take time to read and utilize the free resources housed on self-publishing websites that will walk you through best practices for formatting a book, and don’t hesitate to invest in the appropriate formatting help if you find that you’re still not able to get things perfect on your own. You worked hard on this book, and now it’s time for it all to pay off. That means DON’T FORGET YOUR MARKETING! How you gonna sell thousands of copies if nobody knows you’re there, beloved? Authors go on book tours for a reason, so it’s worth it to think about our intended audience and whether or not you need to enlist professional marketing and promotional help to boost your profit margins.

2. Pay for editing.

Sure, you can have your sister, cousins, and former school teacher granny read through it, but once they’re finished you should go ahead and get your manuscript into the hands of a professional editor based on your needs. An important item to remember is that all editors are not built the same.

What do I mean? Line editors address content flow and organization. Copyeditors address grammar and usage.

The copy edit always comes last, meaning right before the manuscript is shipped off to be formatted and printed. You never want to do this step first, because what’s the point of editing grammar for content that might end up being scrapped because it doesn’t flow correctly in the first place. That sounds like a waste of money to me, and I’m all about maximizing my coins.

3. Set deadlines at least 6 months before your desired publishing date.

Some people keep their eyes on a specific date for sentimental reasons, while others are looking to make the most of their marketing opportunities. Regardless of why you’ve chosen your deadlines, you should set them and KEEP THEM. A good rule of thumb if you’re a very date-oriented author is to set a final draft deadline six months before your preferred publication date. Once you’ve reached the deadline and have your final draft in hand, you’ll be ready to hand the manuscript over to an editor (see #2). That six months of cushion will allow you the room to make any suggested edits before sending the cleaned-up version off to production. Less mess equals less stress, ya’ll! Govern yourselves accordingly.

BONUS BOOK LIFE HACK: If, for some reason, you do happen to blow past your deadlines, skip editing, and completely overlook the fact that you’re the captain of this ship, understand that this will not give you the green light to rush a service provider to expedite turnaround times they’ve quoted you. After all, they aren’t the reason you missed those deadlines! Always remember that you get what you pay for, and that hurried work will not be indicative of your best work.

NOW, get out there, have fun, and WRITE for your LIFE!

What would you like to chat about in the Copy Corner next month?

Let us know in the comments below!

Now, if the thought of writing your own copy makes you gag, cry, fall asleep then connect with Karmen on her website right here! You can also find her on Instagram !

Are you ready to take your brand to the next level and connect with your ideal client? Wait no longer!

Set up your branding session right here! Also, there is a new collaboration with Karmen what will coming your way soon! Get ready to have a bangin' "About Me" page on your website!

LOVE>PEACE+LIGHT,