7 Tips to Self Publishing Like a Pro

7 Tips to Self-Publish Like a Pro

It seems like everyone is self-publishing a book nowadays. The barrier to entry is so low and the rewards 

can be so high (just look at 50 Shades of Grey, for example)! In fact, you may have a manuscript worth 

self-publishing right now and not even realize it. Do you have a collection of short stories? A thesis or 

term paper? A collection of recipes? A sermon? A memoir? A collection of poetry? A short children’s 

story that only needs professional illustrations to be finished?

If you have a manuscript of any kind, or are currently working on one, rest assured there is a self publishing solution for you. And the revolution is in full swing; there is no better time than right now to 

put your fears behind you and become a published author. As Sally Shields once said after publishing 

with Outskirts Press, “Self-publishing is easy and fun and invigorating and life-changing!” 

So if you’re going to self-publish, let’s make sure you do it like a pro. To do that, it helps if you 

understand seven core components of a professionally self-published book, why those components are 

important, and how to approach them as successfully as possible. 

TIP #1: Understand standard book elements like barcodes, copyrights, and International Standard 

Book Numbers (ISBNs). High-quality, professional self-published books have all three. Sure, there are 

ways to “get around” acquiring an ISBN (with an AISN, for example), but an AISN is not an industry recognized number. Relying solely on an AISN, not having any identification at all, or not having a 

barcode on your book will not only prevent your book from being accepted into sales channels like 

Barnes & Noble or Wal-Mart, but will most likely strike you from eligibility in nearly every book award 

contest there is (and will certainly prevent you from winning one). 

TIP #2: Don’t cheap out on your cover. Rare is the writer who is also a talented cover designer. When 

self-publishing like a pro, it is important to recognize one’s own limitations. Cover design (and 

copyediting) are where many writers have delusions about their abilities. Your book cover is going to be 

the first element every potential buyer sees. That cover is going to determine whether anyone other 

than your friends or family take a closer look at your book. Work with a designer on a professional 

custom cover, and expect to pay for it.

TIP #3: Professional self-published books must be copyedited by a professional editor. There is one 

long-standing belief that self-published books are less professional than “traditionally” published books 

because they lack professional copyediting. Don’t perpetuate that stigma. All high-quality books, 

regardless of where or how they are published, are professionally copyedited before they are released 

to the reading public. 

TIP #4: Interior book design is often what reveals a book to be amateurishly self-published. 

Formatting concepts like leading and kerning, headers and footers, and gutters and margins are often 

outside of a writer’s wheelhouse, and that’s okay. That is why it is important to engage the services of a 

professional self-publishing company to handle it (and the details mentioned above) for you.

TIP #5: Understand book pricing, mainly how three prices are related: retail price, trade discount, 

and author profit. For example, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of a 

high trade discount; a low trade discount can limit your book’s availability, whereas a high trade 

discount can price your book out of the market. Striking the perfect balance is important. 

TIP #6: Prepare to invest in the marketing of your book. Unless you are planning on publishing a 

book for a very finite number of people (perhaps some friends and family members), successfully self-published books rely upon the participation and investment of their authors for marketing and 

promotional efforts. Fortunately, there are many effective (and in many cases free) marketing avenues 

to pursue. Even better, if you lack the time or ability to market the book yourself, your self-publishing 

company, or an independent book publishing firm, can take on those tasks for you, at various costs. 

TIP #7: Receiving royalties is great, but don’t forget to pay your taxes. Yes, self-publishing a book 

can be exciting and fun; some might even call it addictive! But don’t confuse it with a hobby. Publishing a 

book is a business, so be sure to treat it like one so when your royalties start coming in. You don’t want 

to receive an unwelcome visit from the tax man. 

Important considerations like this (and, in fact, everything on this list) is why most self-publishing 

authors rely upon the professional services of full-service self-publishing companies. There are many to 

choose from, and there are some sites that even rank them to make your comparisons easier. One such 

site is Top Consumer Reviews at: https://www.topconsumerreviews.com/self-publishing/

Here’s to the start of your exciting journey toward being a published author!