So You Wrote A Book…What’s Next?

Your book deserves to get noticed.

If you’ve completed writing a book, it means you’ve compiled years worth of information, stories, and strategies into one location all while adding your own perspective. On the good days and the bad days, you continually plugged away at this massive project until you had a full manuscript ready for the public.

Now it’s time for the next steps.

Here are 8 key things you should do to prepare your book for public release:

1. Edit and Proofread

Typos and mistakes ruin your readers’ experience. Before releasing your book to the public, hire a professional editor and proofreader to polish and remove errors from the manuscript. They’ll help you catch any oversights or inconsistencies you missed during the writing process, so you can present your best work to your audience. This small investment makes a big difference in the reception and success of your book.

2. Design a Cover

First impressions matter, and potential buyers see your book’s cover first. Don’t leave it up to chance; work with a professional designer to create a cover that captures the essence of your book and grabs the attention of your target audience. The reason we hear the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover!” is precisely because people will judge your book by its cover.

3. Format Your Book

Ready your book for both print and digital publication by working with a professional formatter. They’ll ensure your book looks polished and professional, with clean and consistent formatting. With this done, a well formatted book will establish credibility with your readers. Don’t compromise on an amateur formatter; invest in a professional formatter to take your book to the next level.

4. Obtain an ISBN

Don’t forget to get an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). Retailers use this unique identifier to track and sell your book. Obtaining an ISBN is easy: If you are in the USA, go to myidentifiers.com to purchase. If you live outside of the USA, contact an agency authorized to administer an ISBN number. Without an ISBN, many people can’t find or sell your book. This small investment connects your book to your target audience.

5. Choose a Distribution Channel

You can distribute your book through a traditional publisher or a self-publishing platform. Traditional publishing provides you with resources and expertise, but it also means giving up some control and profit share. Self-publishing offers more creative control and a larger percentage of royalties, but also requires more work and investment. No one-size-fits-all answer exists, so weigh your options.

If you choose to traditionally publish your book you will need to start seeking out an Agent agent to query. Check out this great article on how to query an agent. They will help you sell your book to a traditional publisher.

If you choose to self-publish your book, you aren’t completely on your own. Experts like Finish The Book Publishing can take care of the administrative side of getting your book out into the world without requiring a fee on purchases moving forward.

6. Develop a Marketing Strategy

Whichever path you go down on, your book requires marketing and publicity. Create a plan to get your book in front of the right readers. Those who your book was written for. Make sure you have a promotion plan announcing your book and leading up to the release date, a release date promotion plan, and a post release promotional plan to keep your book top of mind. Because you might have written a great book, but that doesn’t mean the people who need to read it will find it without effort from you!

7. Build a Platform

If you want to make an impact with your book, you need a strong platform to build on. This means creating a website, social media accounts, and other online channels to connect with readers and gather a community around your work. By establishing a digital presence, you will attract and engage your target audience, generate interest in your book, and generate a loyal following.

If you need some help, check out this article.

8. Determine a Launch Date

The final step is to set a launch date and make a splash. Don’t just release your book into the world and hope for the best. Instead, plan a launch event to build excitement and attract attention. You can offer special promotions or discounts to encourage readers to buy your book, collaborate with other authors or influencers, create a book trailer, or offer a giveaway. Get your book in front of as many eyes as possible and build momentum for the weeks and months ahead.

You’ve got this!