How are misconceptions about self-publishing provoked by the media?
The media outline the same stereotypical descriptions of self-publishers over and over again. Self-publisher A sells successfully overnight, like going from dishwasher to bestselling author: or self-publisher B sells no copies at all and experiences total failure. The self-publishing industry is also often portrayed in a one-sided way. To exaggerate, some reports on the rise of the publishing route make the statement, "Self-publishing is something anyone can do, and if I follow a certain pattern, I'll get rich doing it!"
The images this creates are not quite so true. Self-publishing is often distorted and this happens via the same misconceptions about self-publishing.
What are the misconceptions about self-publishing?
As a self-publisher you are not a real author, a cheap book leads to higher sales and the right marketing is enough to sell the book successfully. Whether on the subject of earnings, the quality and working methods or the self-image as an author - there are numerous misconceptions about self-publishing.
Misconception number 1: As a self-publisher I'm not a real author
A few years ago, self-publishing had a reputation for producing low-quality titles. This misconception about self-publishing has been dispelled: Publishing authors are now moving into self-publishing specifically because they appreciate the benefits and freedoms. There are numerous examples of successful and respected self-publishing authors.
Misconception #2: In self-publishing, my book should be as cheap as possible for high sales.
The mistake of being as cheap as possible should never be made in any industry. This also applies to self-publishing, although the rumor persists. Cheap books appeal to a certain target audience, some of whom buy cheap books indiscriminately in order to read them at some point. Author and book have little to do with the purchase decision, and no bond is formed with these readers.
"Cheap" is also often equated with lower quality content. A reader interested in your genre or topic is more likely to look at content and layout than price. Don't sell yourself short, but base your selling price on similar books.
Misconception #3: With the right marketing, my self-publishing book will definitely sell.
marketing is essential - but need not be the sole reason why a book sells poorly. Good marketing is of no use if the quality of the book is low. That can be at the cover or maybe it would help to improve your writing style with the help of a Writing School to improve? Already pull the first lines into the action, or should you get back to Book title or Blurb file and? There can be many reasons why a book gets lost in the crowd and hardly finds any readers. Believing that readers will be dazzled is therefore one of the most fatal errors about self-publishing.
Misconception number 4: Once I sell my book through self-publishing, I don't stand a chance with publishers.
Bestselling authors like Nele Neuhaus or E. L. James have found their first readers through self-publishing. For newcomers, self-publishing is a good way to build up a first circle of readers. In some cases, the path is now reversed, with publishing authors switching to self-publishing because they feel left alone by their publishers and want to take the publishing process into their own hands. Especially Authors of non-fiction and reference books can benefit from self-publishing for a current topic. Publishers have long lead times, so the book may not hit the shelves for a year or more.
Misconception number 5: I can earn more in self-publishing than I can with a publisher.
At first glance, the statement seems to be true: In percentage terms, the author commission is higher in self-publishing than in a publisher. In some cases, a self-publisher can get a eBook up to 70 percent of the net price. For publishers, the commission is between 10 and 25 percent. But publishing books usually have a much higher selling price and the biggest turnover can still be achieved with print editions. As a publishing author, you earn from the first book sold; in self-publishing, you have to earn the production costs first. In self-publishing, printed books have a harder time finding their way onto the shelves. Booksellers to come. A good marketing strategy is therefore more important in many cases than the highest possible commission. That is why it is advisable to Compare service providers.
Misconception number 6: As a self-publisher, I have to create the entire process on my own
Even if no publisher takes care of the publication in self-publishing, you are still not left alone. Many service providers offer software tools and practical help with the creation of book jackets or the book's typesetting an. tredition also checks the quality of the book for deficiencies, for example with regard to spelling, typesetting and design errors, and provides marketing support.
Misconception number 7: I don't need editing and proofreading in self-publishing.
Doing the editing or proofreading for your own book is difficult to impossible. As an author, you become "business blind," know the plot and characters by heart, and can't objectively check logic and suspense. Investing in an editing service can prevent bad reviews. Maybe you can get friends to be test readers and ask them for honest feedback?
Misconception number 8: Self-publishing is a no-brainer.
Many service providers in self-publishing take on a lot of work for you: tredition supports you, for example, in designing a professional book cover and making your text a print-ready template. We make sure that your book is printed, is available in all bookshops, and is also found and known in trade directories. However, your book buyers don't just fall out of the sky. There are far too many books published every year, all vying for buyers' attention. Successful self-publishers invest a lot of time, effort and passion in their book, in marketing their book, in networking with authors and readers, in making contacts with the press and book bloggers, in maintaining and updating their social media channels... you see: success doesn't happen by itself, it's in your hands.
How do you counter misconceptions about self-publishing?
If you know the misconceptions about self-publishing, you can consciously avoid them. For example, pay attention to the quality of your books, create an appealing cover and invest in a professional editing service. Don't set your sales prices too low and don't have too high expectations for the sales you'll make. Of course it is possible to be successful in self-publishing and to publish and sell numerous books. But it takes a lot of discipline and professionalism. It's up to you to make your book professional in terms of content, style, and appearance, and then to promote it. Some self-publishing service providers offer additional assistance and do not leave you alone in the publishing process.
