What is the one thing the most successful authors know that others don’t know?
It takes a village to write a book, at least an ebook.
Okay, I realize I am citing from the title of Hillary Clinton’s book in my introduction. Sheer coincidence the week before the United States presidential election, I assure you. However, publishing an ebook really does take a great deal of people, metaphorically a village.
Coinciding with the publication of my ebook, this week marks my second blogversary since I started blogging the first week of November in 2014.
Finishing two years of blogging is especially poignant since it coincides with starting a new chapter in my blogging career– this week I became a published author!
Are you considering publishing your own ebook one day? If it is within the realm of possibility, you need this post.
This article will explain why you need people to help you, who they are. and how to find them.
It also ends with an important request, so make sure you stay until the end.
Why You Need People to Help You Become a Published Author
When I began this journey to ebook author, I did not know what I was doing.
I drove well-meaning people crazy asking a slew of questions that would give me clarity on the process.
You know what? I don’t regret it. I had trouble finding articles like this one and 5 Things You Need to Know to Make a Successful Ebook explaining the steps I needed to take.
As my post How to Save Yourself Time, Money, and Stress explains, you might know people more knowledgeable than you in certain areas relevant to your writing, promoting, and publishing your ebook. The beauty of having those connections is you can help each other.
Luckily, I certainly did. Was it luck? Blogging brings you connections. If you might want to publish one day, be on the lookout for people who can help you, who have strengths where your knowledge is weak.
People Who Might Help Authors
As my post detailing the steps to create a successful ebook explained, I, fortunately, knew many people who aided me on my journey to published author. (I still can’t believe that description applies to me!)
Look for people who have published ebooks before you. A famous quote by Isaac Newton reads, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” By this, Newton meant knowledgeable people who came before him paved the way for his work.
Be on the lookout for people you know that have paved the way for you. Look at the people who helped me as examples.
I knew Mark Newsome was a gifted copywriter, so I turned to him when I needed help opening my book with a stellar introduction. The writing had to be strong, so people would continue reading. This was Mark’s forte.
I was aware Gary Jefferies, a fiction author, had just completed his own ebook, so when I needed advice, I picked his brain. Gary generously gave me his time and wisdom although he was in the middle of his own ebook promotion– a daunting task!
Terry Webster Schrandt gave me great advice. She explained,
This whole process IS confusing.
You can have a few reviews ready right as you launch. Once people you have selected to read and review your book, once you hit the publish button on Amazon, you can provide the link and readers can post the review. Another was is to ask some close blogger friends to write a review and they can share on their blogs, or they can send you the review text for you to post on your blog.
Julie Syl Kalungi described the importance of reviews on Amazon.com.
Remember Amazon.com reviews hold sway and make sure you got a good number of buyer reviews as some promotional sites prefer those to feature you. The only reviews that count are Amazon.com ones so make sure all your reviewers do that for you as well!
Now that the book has been published, Debby Geis Kaye will be promoting my book when I guest on her blog next month.
Finally, enough can not be said about my amazing publisher Lois Hoffman. I don’t remember what initially brought us together, but good fortune certainly was smiling on me the day we first connected.
Every tip Lois gave me from start to finish proved valuable. My husband often says I over analyze situations. When I let Lois do the thinking, everything fell into place.
I would have assumed once the book was published, Lois would have moved on to other budding authors, but no. Lois continues to advise me.
Again, her tips are spot-on perfect.
Look! Early reviews are glowing:
Whether you are a blogger who is just starting out or someone who has been blogging for years, Janice has all the answers you need to make your blog grow and thrive. She shares a wealth of information, helpful hints, and really useful tips, along with great resources and some expert advice.
Let me say that anyone who is new to blogging and has to clue how to get going, whether it’s worth the journey, must Read this book.
– A seasoned blogger that isn’t yet getting traction even though you blog consistently, Must read this book
– A successful blogger who has achieved the Goal for their blog Must read this book. WHY?
Because Janice breaks down the basics, Gets rid of the cobwebs, states clearly what you need to do…
Enter Janice and An Insider’s Guide to Building a Successful Blog. Packed with easy to follow tips and tricks, from the so obvious I’ve missed them to the downright innovative. It’s obvious from the beginning that the author has been around blogs for a long time and has plowed through the things we newcomers encounter; sifting the wheat from the chaff and plonking them down inside this book.
With a book rich in advice like this, don’t waste time and energy trolling websites looking for the trade tricks. They are all condensed with easy to follow explanations from start to finish.
This book is the thing I wish I’d had almost a year ago.
Clearly, I was blessed to have Lois in my corner.
Incentives for Authors
She even advised me concerning incentives to encourage people to purchase the book during the first month of sales. Initially, I thought people could forward me a receipt as proof of purchase. Instead, she suggested they simply tell me the name of Chapter 3. Easy!
I will definitely honor that offer. Anyone who correctly tells me the name of Chapter 3 will get a link to five additional blogging tips articles.
Look at what she wrote me this morning:
You are getting close to the top 100!
Published on Amazon and nearing the top 100!
Please Do What You Can to Promote My Ebook
It is my goal to enter Amazon’s Top 100.
I need your help!
You can help by doing the following
- Share this post
- Share the link to my book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/
B01M4QOD41 - If you purchase the book, please leave a review.
Conclusion
