The road to success for self-published authors includes more than many initially assumed. Handling things like printing, designing a cover, and book fulfillment for online orders are all important. They're the parts of the process traditionally handled by publishing houses. When you work independently, there are things you need to consider yourself. When they're handled well, your book is more competitive against conventionally published titles. It varies by genre, but all are helpful parts of the process. In bygone days, independently published books were written off. Now, they aren't if you do things well.

A launch PR plan is another essential element of a successful book. The goal is always to reach your target audience online and through the media. It's also why developing a strong author's platform – website, email list, and social media accounts -- is necessary. Start early because it can take time to build a following; blogs and podcasts can also figure in, and when you launch either one, take it seriously and add content routinely. It's vital to find out what your audience enjoys and responds to the most. Once you understand their likes and dislikes, it's easier to post material to draw a favorable response.

Keep in mind the value of details related to printing your book. The binding choice is one of the biggest ones. You can follow the traditional route of a hardcover release followed by paperback editions later. Some books benefit from spiral bindings, depending on how they are used. If people will carry your book, paperback can be the way to go because they weigh less. Inside, paper stock matters, and you want a layout and typography that are pleasant to read. Details like these may seem minor, but bit-time publishers you compete with take them seriously. Getting the details right always helps.

Before you begin writing, consider your target readers and other books in your genre. See what has been successful and how you can take the idea and make it new. It's a bit different from novels and other works of fiction because only the story matters. With nonfiction books, the situation is different because it requires saying something about your topic that others have not already said. If you repeat known information, people won't find your book interesting. When you take a novel approach or have new ideas, suddenly, you're worth reading to understand new information.