Selling self-published work?

Question

If I were to self publish, does anyone have any suggestions on where I could sell my book online? And also, how could I advertise for them?

Answer 1

Your best bet is to identify an audience for your work before going through the expense of self-publishing. If it is about a specific topic about which you have some expertise, such as writing, gardening, raising chickens or whatever, you can find groups of these people online. By participating in online communities you can begin to convince folks you have something to say.

You'll have more trouble if you're working on something general like, "How to become a better person". It would be better to make it more specific, such as "Raising a Child with ADD" or "Getting your high school diploma as an adult", or whatever your field is.

You'll have trouble if you are writing a personal story of non-fiction (the story of your life or something interesting that happened to you) unless you can find a collection of people with a particular interest in that subject and provide them with something they don't already know. "How I Beat Drug Addiction and How You Can Too" might sell a lot better than "My Life As A Drug Addict".

Self-published fiction is extremely hard to sell. It has been done in a few extraordinary cases, but getting the support of an agent and an editor will be of great help in publishing your first fiction.

Make sure you write it well. Hire an editor to make sure it's pristine before putting it out there for sale. As the author there are things you will miss in terms of editing, grammar, etc., and it's best to have someone help you catch all that stuff.

You really have to put yourself out there to sell a book. It can be done by creating a presence online in groups that are relevant to you. Read as many marketing books as you can.

Answer 2

I do not condone self-publishing nor vanity press, but in some cases it is a good way to go.

Suggest that you set up a web site, and get as many links to your site as you can. You can do this by doing reviews on others books, and having them posted to their sight (with a link to yours), or writing articles on the subject of your book and trying to have them posted on appropriate sites (and linked to yours).

There are online distribution sites too. Try http://www.bookhitch.com/ If you write fiction you can also look into their community project, an add a chapter contest. That will get your name out there, when you win a chapter.

you can also do signings, speaking engagements, write an article about yourself and your book and send it to the Books/Events columnist at your local (and surrounding) newspapers, Be sure to advertise your signings there too (submit it way ahead and give them a release date.)

Have bookmarks, pens, and/or postcards made up with your information and book cover, where to buy, etc on them. Be sure to provide business cards, and pass this stuff out and talk about your book EVERYWHERE.

Answer 3

www.lulu.com

is apparently the best there is