This video has been very helpful. Thank you. Over and over again, I find your advice to be enlightening. I've been thinking a lot about the things mentioned in this video and now feel compelled to finally act on my gut feelings.
Hey brother, as a 15 yr marketing guy, you’re pretty much the ONLY book marketing channel giving real knowledge. Spot on. Subbed. You really need more subs. The self pub community NEEDS to hear what you have to say
Thanks for this video, I wish this information was available when I first self-published. I know how traditional publishers look at vanity publishing, I just never connected self-publishing as vanity. Really, thanks so much.
"It's nice to take pictures of you doing cool things in the real world." Tall order, my friend. Tall order. Assuming we're even brave enough to step out into this "real world" you speak of, we now also have to be cool doing it. I don't know. I guess I could give it a try.
Lucky. I'm still waiting for my negative review. I don't want people to think that the only people who have rated my book are people who liked it. Finally some criticism, I'd say. How refreshing.
My first negative review nearly matched my second and then my third, all quickly. It taught me a lot about what I was doing wrong. I was 18 and thought I knew everything but readers tend to tell you what they didn't like and when they do I find it good to listen and depending on how many say it I apply it to other projects or let it help. It hurts but look at it like poorly stated critiques that are meant to be constructive. I'd really hate anyone to ever make the mistakes I childishly made as a teenager.
Every “no” let’s you refine your marketing so you reach the RIGHT readers. You have a book. Someone BOUGHT it. Read it. And gave an HONEST opinion. That’s blessed my friend. You’re awesome keep grinding
When I was a service provider I used to group people into two categories: People who paid me to do as I was told, and people who paid me to be an expert in my field. Guess which group succeeded. Hint: it wasn't the first group. It boggles my mind when a laymen recognises that they don't have the skills to bring the work to a professional level then turns around and tells a service provider how to do their jobs. It's a weird disconnect that means the service provider's is limited to the expertise of the client. I think this issue alone is why so many designers, editors, marketers, just rage quit on services and turn around to offer courses.
Great info though a little hard to understand you at times. I'm curious who or what method do you use for editing your books before you publish? You mentioned something about putting a book out in a couple weeks for free to draw in readers but that is hardly enough time to polish the work and present it to people who do not know who you are. I've self-published two books already but with no success. They took me about five years (I have a full time job, writing is not my life) to write and get edited and were still not perfect. I am in the process of getting them re-edited currently. I am also working on another novel and a short story. I plan to give out the short story for free at book signings and online. I have come to the realization that marketing is my problem with getting sales and followers. So in addition to the free short when its completed, in the mean time I've been trying to promote my work by posting on twitter about my progress or any new ideas for another book.
I use a few things now. I wish when I'd done my first book I'd thought about it because it's easy for a writer to not notice their mistakes since they know what is meant to be on the page and often see that instead. I use Grammerly when writing my drafts. Then I use the Hemmingway machine to see how easy my sentences are readable. After that I let friends and writing group members read parts of my work. Then, depending on how long the book is or if it is a book or blog, I look for a professional editor, which can be around $300 dollars so I do it very rarely. Also when he says free, Kindle Direct lets you make books free for a few weeks for everyone after you've published it. I do that to get people to buy and write reviews. You can also look for reviewers by looking at books in your genre on Amazon. I click the reviews and go through each reviewer and look at their page. Many book bloggers have their website in their profile. Then you can send them free books.
I did my first comic/manga on createspace.com and it was a pain in the ass. It is not user friendly at all and they didn't have many options for comic books. They do not have the option for staple bindings, So my manga kind of looks like it might be a coloring book. I had many issues with the proof versions I ordered like smudged ink and wrinkled pages, but now that its finished the final version seems to be fine. They are a good site for novels, but I don't think they have any clue about comics, manga, or picture books.
Thank you for sharing a lot of valuable information. I am within sight of self-publishing my second book, a novel, and need all the help I can get! My first book is a different genre, with a specific, local audience and is going well, despite my lack of technical, on-line ability and promotional skills. I am learning and your video here on You Tube is a big help. You are a smoker right? Forgive the personal comment, if you answer, I will tell you how I guessed.
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![ถามตรงๆ กับ อาจตุพร ทำไม ประเทศไทย ใครเป็นนายก ก็โดนด่า พอออกเเล้วคนคิดถึง!!?? l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3YFLMXxBGAs/mqdefault.jpg)
This video has been very helpful. Thank you. Over and over again, I find your advice to be enlightening. I've been thinking a lot about the things mentioned in this video and now feel compelled to finally act on my gut feelings.
Hey brother, as a 15 yr marketing guy, you’re pretty much the ONLY book marketing channel giving real knowledge. Spot on. Subbed. You really need more subs. The self pub community NEEDS to hear what you have to say
I appreciate that!
Thanks for this video, I wish this information was available when I first self-published. I know how traditional publishers look at vanity publishing, I just never connected self-publishing as vanity. Really, thanks so much.
very clear info for first time publishing..... thank you so much
Hey Derek, Thanks for this, really very helpful!
"It's nice to take pictures of you doing cool things in the real world." Tall order, my friend. Tall order. Assuming we're even brave enough to step out into this "real world" you speak of, we now also have to be cool doing it. I don't know. I guess I could give it a try.
I just got my 1st negative review on Amazon today, ouch! I am so glad I found your channel! So much to learn about self publishing!
Lucky. I'm still waiting for my negative review. I don't want people to think that the only people who have rated my book are people who liked it. Finally some criticism, I'd say. How refreshing.
i have received two negative reviews. Two out of 30 ain't bad, but I still took their assessments to heart.
My first negative review nearly matched my second and then my third, all quickly. It taught me a lot about what I was doing wrong. I was 18 and thought I knew everything but readers tend to tell you what they didn't like and when they do I find it good to listen and depending on how many say it I apply it to other projects or let it help. It hurts but look at it like poorly stated critiques that are meant to be constructive. I'd really hate anyone to ever make the mistakes I childishly made as a teenager.
Every “no” let’s you refine your marketing so you reach the RIGHT readers. You have a book. Someone BOUGHT it. Read it. And gave an HONEST opinion. That’s blessed my friend. You’re awesome keep grinding
Enjoyed! Very informational
When I was a service provider I used to group people into two categories: People who paid me to do as I was told, and people who paid me to be an expert in my field. Guess which group succeeded. Hint: it wasn't the first group.
It boggles my mind when a laymen recognises that they don't have the skills to bring the work to a professional level then turns around and tells a service provider how to do their jobs. It's a weird disconnect that means the service provider's is limited to the expertise of the client. I think this issue alone is why so many designers, editors, marketers, just rage quit on services and turn around to offer courses.
Thanks. It is well worth understanding the publishing and sales processes. A real help
Thanks Derek - This is very helpful, nice one
Thanks a lot Derek.
Great info though a little hard to understand you at times. I'm curious who or what method do you use for editing your books before you publish? You mentioned something about putting a book out in a couple weeks for free to draw in readers but that is hardly enough time to polish the work and present it to people who do not know who you are. I've self-published two books already but with no success. They took me about five years (I have a full time job, writing is not my life) to write and get edited and were still not perfect. I am in the process of getting them re-edited currently. I am also working on another novel and a short story. I plan to give out the short story for free at book signings and online. I have come to the realization that marketing is my problem with getting sales and followers. So in addition to the free short when its completed, in the mean time I've been trying to promote my work by posting on twitter about my progress or any new ideas for another book.
somehow I think he writes non fiction. That can be done in a week (barely) but yeah editing a 300 page book is not an easy task.
james nathan very true
Joining writing groups and organizations that help writers to promote their work ( a community of writers) is a good way to market your work.
I use a few things now. I wish when I'd done my first book I'd thought about it because it's easy for a writer to not notice their mistakes since they know what is meant to be on the page and often see that instead. I use Grammerly when writing my drafts. Then I use the Hemmingway machine to see how easy my sentences are readable. After that I let friends and writing group members read parts of my work. Then, depending on how long the book is or if it is a book or blog, I look for a professional editor, which can be around $300 dollars so I do it very rarely. Also when he says free, Kindle Direct lets you make books free for a few weeks for everyone after you've published it. I do that to get people to buy and write reviews. You can also look for reviewers by looking at books in your genre on Amazon. I click the reviews and go through each reviewer and look at their page. Many book bloggers have their website in their profile. Then you can send them free books.
I did my first comic/manga on createspace.com and it was a pain in the ass. It is not user friendly at all and they didn't have many options for comic books. They do not have the option for staple bindings, So my manga kind of looks like it might be a coloring book. I had many issues with the proof versions I ordered like smudged ink and wrinkled pages, but now that its finished the final version seems to be fine. They are a good site for novels, but I don't think they have any clue about comics, manga, or picture books.
Thank you for sharing a lot of valuable information. I am within sight of self-publishing my second book, a novel, and need all the help I can get! My first book is a different genre, with a specific, local audience and is going well, despite my lack of technical, on-line ability and promotional skills. I am learning and your video here on You Tube is a big help. You are a smoker right? Forgive the personal comment, if you answer, I will tell you how I guessed.
Good advice, thanks.
gracias Derek!
Good information
THANK YOU!!!!!!
Oh the horror!
80% of self-published books don't sell more than a 100 copies! Flippin' 'eck! Just as well my book is called 151% PROOF, jejeje...
Aha, so you are based in the States! You have that mid-Atlantic grammar and vocabulary...