Five Big Mistakes I Made When I First Started Self-Publishing

:book:Invest in a professional cover design that reflects your book's genre and appeals to readers.

:pencil2:Hire a professional editor to ensure your book's quality and improve your writing style.

:speech_balloon:Focus on encouraging reader reviews instead of paying for editorial reviews.

:moneybag:Consider using pre-orders on Amazon instead of Kickstarter to benefit from Amazon's AI algorithms.

:books:Research genre expectations and reader preferences to create a book that resonates with your target audience.

Why is cover design important for book sales?

—Cover design communicates genre and attracts readers, making it crucial for book sales.

Is hiring an editor necessary for self-published authors?

—Yes, a professional editor improves the quality of your book and helps you develop your writing style.

Should authors pay for editorial reviews?

—Reader reviews hold more weight in the publishing industry, so focus on encouraging and engaging with readers.

How can pre-orders on Amazon benefit authors?

—Pre-orders allow Amazon's AI algorithms to track reader interest and recommend your book to potential readers.

Why is it important to research genre expectations?

—Understanding genre expectations helps you create a book that resonates with your target audience and attracts readers.

00:00The video discusses five mistakes made by the creator in their early days of self-publishing.

03:32The first mistake is inadequate cover design that doesn't reflect the genre or meet reader expectations.

06:25The second mistake is relying solely on a freelance editor who didn't focus on stylistic elements.

09:57The third mistake was paying for a review from Kirkus instead of collecting reader reviews.

12:24The fourth mistake was choosing Kickstarter over pre-orders on Amazon, missing opportunities for Amazon's AI algorithms to promote the book.

16:16The final mistake was not researching genre expectations, leading to a lack of resonance with the target audience.