The Pitfalls of Self-Publishing
There are pitfalls. I know that’s not something I’m supposed to say. I’m supposed to be fist in the air, fight the machine, take control, love it all. There are pitfalls. If you are going to do this you have to be prepared for the inevitable downturns.
I’m literally in the middle of the second novel, I’ve crested the hill, I’m pedaling down. It’s getting there, I’ve got trajectory. I know what needs to be fixed in the beginning. I think spring is still a realistic goal although I’d say spring should be considered anything from March (probably not going to happen) through the end of June (maybe gonna happen).
As I am in the middle of this new book I admittedly haven’t been paying attention to the first book because I’m only one person and I have other people who need my attention as well. Yes I just categorized the book as a person. It basically is … don’t judge me.
Pitfalls in no particular order ….
- My Only Sunshine isn’t selling as well as I’d like.
- Need a long term marketing plan for both books
- Have to update keywords and categories in Amazon, both of which of course Amazon makes laborious at best
- Should consider an updated cover for My Only Sunshine, need a cover for the new book.
- Need to do income/expenditures for the end of the year taxes
- Need to get cover art/editing/voice actor in line better for second book so release can be more streamlined
- Need to look into Ingram Spark for second book as opposed to just Amazon’s platform.
- My Only Sunshine still isn’t selling as well as I’d like.
- Need to get more page likes on Facebook or some time of engagement in social media. Instagram is actually seeing some action, yay me.
- Need to do more research for book three to see if my idea is best traditional published of self.
This is not a woes me list, this is the list of an indie author. You’ll notice that no where on there did it say, write. Because if you are going to take this on you need to understand first and foremost you are attempting to launch a business. It’s money, I’m sorry, I know you don’t want to hear that but it is.
MOS isn’t selling as well as I’d like because I haven’t been dedicated over the past two months to just that book. I have left that book alone and tried to focus on it’s sister.
And apparently no one reads anymore, books shouldn’t be longer than sixty thousand words and if I want any attention for my novels I need to do a trailer release so they can be seen on youtube *headslap*.
Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me ….
You are exactly right. Welcome to being self employed. I found the same to be true for all of our small businesses and right now I am trying to run 4. Paul handles the internet (facebook and website management). He is only focusing on 2 of the four however. I have thought about trying to find a company to handle the online side of things. I think it is the most time consuming. Like you, I need time to create. But outsourcing that will cost money up front with no guarantee of success.
As you already know time management is crucial. So, if you spend 10 mins. a day on a particular task at the end of a week (6 days) {don’t forget to rest} you put and hour into it. The goal is to let you have the time to write, and focus on the large needs yet not let the rest of your life fall apart.
You have accomplished so much already. Being a business owner has so many rewards but it is so hard to do. Which is why so many never do it.
So true!!