#73 - 3 Essential Tips for Self-Publishing Success:

What You Need to Know Before Hitting 'Publish'

Write Timers,

Hey, I know I come at you hard week after week, encouraging you to start writing that book. Believe me, I know you want to, and it pains me to see so many amazing books trapped inside talented, passionate people like you.

But today, I’m giving you a break. Instead of hammering you with more encouragement, I’m sharing a few tips for when you're on the cusp of publishing your book. So, here are a few key things to know if you’re going the self-publishing route—specifically on Amazon KDP.

3 Tips for the Self-Publishing Author (Using Amazon KDP)

1) ISBN (International Standard Book Number) Strategy
Don’t turn your nose up at Amazon’s free ISBN—they work just fine. But if you’re planning on buying your own, it’s best to buy in bulk:

• 1 ISBN: $125

• 10 ISBNs: $295

• 100 ISBNs: $575

Remember, you’ll need a separate ISBN for each format. That means one for your ebook, one for paperback, and another for hardcover—yep, that’s three.

2) Scheduled Publishing Dates on KDP
Amazon now lets you schedule your publishing date, which is a total game-changer for self-publishing. But, be mindful of these caveats:

• Give yourself at least 30 days lead time.

• Amazon says it takes 3-10 days for approval (though I’ve seen it happen in as little as 24 hours).

• Get a proof copy to ensure your formatting translates properly.

• Use the lead time to promote your release.

3) Proofs vs. Author Copies
Many people get confused between these two, so let’s clear it up:

• Proof Copies: These are for making sure your book looks exactly how you want before it’s published. They’ll have a watermark banner that says "Not for resale."

• Author Copies: These are the real deal—live books that you can buy at wholesale price to resell, hand out, or send to bookstores. However, they don’t count toward your Amazon rankings, so no gaming the bestseller system! A few other things to note:

  • You will pay shipping (no Prime benefits here).

  • Plan for 10-14 days lead time for delivery.

  • You can ship author copies directly to customers, which is super handy if you sell books at a speaking gig—just ship them to the venue!

  • I personally like to keep a stock for sending signed copies.

  • One logistical hiccup: You can’t buy author copies until after your book is published. (Maybe I’ll dig into this in a future article.)

Here’s a fun share: One of my clients just received her proof copy of Exhausted to Energized. Her book will be available on Amazon starting November 12th. If you or someone you know is dealing with autoimmune issues, this book could be a lifesaver. Stay tuned for its release!

Exhausted to Energized

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So, what do you think about this week’s issue? Do you prefer me badgering you to start writing, or do you like getting the tactical info for when you're ready to publish?

See you next week!

Brian

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