What Will You Outsource?
When it comes to publishing your own book, you can do everything yourself. You can choose to wear the hat of editor, cover designer, formatter, and web designer. But just because you can do everything yourself doesn’t mean that’s the best option.
It’s always a good idea to bring in industry professionals that you know and trust. They can give you honest feedback about your book and point out key ways that you can improve it. With their feedback, you can transform a ho-hum book into a must-read that climbs the charts of book sellers everywhere.
Now you may be wondering who you should hire first. It’s always a good idea to start with an editor. An editor can do such much more than simply suggest grammar and spelling changes.
Your editor can read your book looking for cohesiveness, making sure it flows smoothly from one thought to the next. Your editor can also give you insights into how to strengthen your writing and point out passages that are unnecessary or boring. Finally, your editor will polish your words, making sure your book is as entertaining as possible.
Once you’ve finished the editing phase of your book, it’s time to hire another professional. This time you’ll want to opt for a cover designer. Your cover is the best advertising platform you will ever buy. Many potential readers will decide whether or not to purchase your book based solely on the cover.
Don’t outsource this task to a friend of a friend who’s been experimenting with Photoshop. That’s because you’re not just paying a cover designer for the cover. You’re also paying them for their years of experience and training. Often, cover designers can tell you exactly what mistakes to avoid when it comes to a cover and they can guide you on choosing the image that’s most likely to appeal to your readers.
Once your cover is completed and you’re happy with the final product, it’s time to hire a formatter. Your book formatter will optimize your book so it looks good on different screen sizes and resolutions. If you choose to make print copies of your book available, your formatter can also make sure the book prints correctly.
Your formatter will make sure your fonts are consistent in size and style. She’ll check that the page numbers are accurate and make sure each chapter begins on a new page. If you’ve included graphics or charts in your book, she’ll ensure they display correctly.
Finally, you’ll need to hire a website designer. Even if you already have a website, you should register the domain name for your book, too. This makes it easy for you to share the URL during networking events like conferences and seminars.
Ideally, your book website should contain a short blurb about your book, an excerpt, and links to where readers can buy your book. You also want a sign-up box so visitors can subscribe to your mailing list. With a mailing list in place, you can launch your next book and immediately message your subscribers to let them know about it. If your list is large, you can expect a few sales just from doing this one promotional activity.