Bob Baker just wrote a great article for the Small Publishers Association of North America’s Newsletter, SPAN Connection. In “The 7 Attributes of Highly Successful Authors,” Baker explained various qualities he found esteemed authors have in common.
From my point of view, his tips can be divided into 3 sections: Determination, Promotion, and Innovation. I’ll outline Baker’s attributes below so you can see how they fit into these categories.
Category 1: Be Determined (and Smart)!
Baker’s Successful Author Attributes: They’re on a mission (or at least feel they have something to say); Their vision is stronger than the rules and obstacles they encounter.
Making sure you are passionate about writing and getting your book published is a must, especially for self-motivators who go the self-publishing route. While writing your manuscript seems like it might be the hardest part of the self-publishing process, Baker raises issues that may become major stressors: “editing, pre-press, . . . distribution matters, . . . fear of rejection, financial struggle, and anticipated prohibitive costs to enter the field.” Therefore, not only must you be resolute in working through these things, you must also take the time to do your research, and find out which self-publishing company will best suit your needs.
Category 2: Promote Yourself!
Baker’s Successful Author Attributes: They understand the “self” of self-promotion; They think of themselves as a personal brand with a clear identity; They put a focus on readers and fans.
Once you have painstakingly written your book, there is the big question of “now what?” How do you get your book into readers’ hands? The best way thing to do is create a book-marketing plan. As Baker writes: “Sure, you can hire a publicist or assistant to help with some things, but no one will ever promote as passionately as you will. To succeed, get on friendlier terms with promotion.” Schedule book signings, call around to local radio and television stations to see if they would be willing to interview you, get your name in the public domain by networking through friends and family. If you are uncertain about how to go about doing this, check out this helpful marketing idea page on the Dog Ear site.
Category 3: Innovate and (and Collaborate)!
Baker’s Successful Author Attributes: They make the best use of available tools; They understand that being a solo author doesn’t mean working alone.
Are you sure you are following a self-publishing path that is tailored to the needs of your book and your expectations? Baker explains: “There are all sorts of ways to create, market, and sell books these days. There are traditional methods such as sheet-fed printers, distributors, bookstores, trade magazine reviews, bulk sales to associations, etc. And there are relatively newer options at your disposal: print-on-demand, Web sites, e-zines, Amazon’s Advantage program, blogs, podcasts, and more. You don’t have to use every option (and probably shouldn’t for sanity’s sake), but you should at least be aware of what’s available and choose the best new and old tools for your book topic and personality.” As a self-publishing author, you are already taking an original stance on how you get your book published by skipping the traditional publishing house “gauntlet.” Continue that originality by making sure you use innovative ways to market and sell your book that suit the technological society in which we now live. Also, don’t be wary of collaborating with other people—designers, editors, graphic artists—just because you think it will make your work less original. You are simply bringing in fresh perspectives to help you make your work as relevant and interesting as possible, and you have the final say in what you produce.
Self-published authors are pioneers in the new and growing industry of self-publishing, and it never hurts to keep tips like these in mind while carving your own niche.
Filed under: book marketing, Book Marketing Plan, self published, self publishing, Self Publishing Company Comparisons, Successful Authors
