I've been writing and studying writing for the web and publishing since 2013 and have created these tips for anyone wanting to improve their writing skills. The format is problem/solution so it's easy to quickly understand. This is the Steemit Edition. It's a work in progress. If you have suggestions, please add them.
This guide is primarily concerned with publishing on Amazon and the other major online book retailers. However, Steemit creates some unique opportunities for writers because of the income opportunities and decentralized nature of its network.
Most people who want to write a book do not have the resources to figure out the publishing system. Steemit could play a role in helping writers get income so that they can focus their energies on a wider distribution network.
Most writers I know are quite poor. This does not mean that they are all good writers, but there are plenty of talented writers who are just barely scraping by. Most have to take day jobs just to survive.
However, the one thing that makes me love Steemit is the emphasis on decentralized power. My core values are aligned with this community and so I want to add as much value as I can. I believe in the commons and I also believe that if given a chance, people can be good to each other. I do recognize the dark side of humanity, too, and I'm sure it will rear its ugly head in Steemit, especially because whenever money is at stake, people tend to start wars for dominance. This seems to be hard-wired in our blood. I have perhaps different reasons for being here than most. I do have a mission. But that will be for a later post.
Because Steemit is so new, I could foresee a time in the future where publishing directly on Steemit would generate more income than publishing on the giant online retailers like Amazon, Apple, etc. However, many authors want full exposure on all the online book retail sites because it both adds credibility and opens up the global markets in an easier way.
The one thing I notice more than anything about people who want to improve their writing is that they don't have the time to figure out all the best resources to help them get better. There are so many resources and self-help gurus out there, that it's hard to wade through all the bs to get the truly useful information. I self-published my first book on Amazon in 2015 and I taught myself every step, including the formatting, image creation, literally every fucking step. It was really difficult. However, I wanted to understand how the system worked. It has potential and it's worthwhile to figure out if that's the route you want to take.
When I first started writing my book, my writing sucked. I used the word, "that" way too much. I was lucky because a friend of mine took the time to wade through my entire manuscript and delete every extra "that" that I used. It was terrible and it was really a mess. My finished book is decent and even though it's not a bestselling book, I have received many gushing reviews from readers. The best part of deciding to publish a book is this: my writing has gotten a lot better.
Writing is just thinking clearly.
So, here are my tips. This information was condensed from listening to over 40 hours of podcasts and doing active research.
Remember the basics: 1. Write the best content possible. 2. Get your book professionally edited. 3. Get a book cover professionally created. 4. Don’t be boring. 5. Go for it.
HOW TO WRITE
Problem:
Your writing sucks. People don’t understand what you’re trying to say because it lacks clarity. Your voice is weak and not defined.
Solution:
Read James Altucher’s 33 Unusual Tips To Being a Better Writer: http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/03/33-unusual-tips-to-being-a-better-writer/
Main takeaways: 1. Bleed in the first line. 2. Don’t be afraid of what people think.
WHAT TO WRITE?
Problem:
You want to write books and be successful but you’re not sure what kind of books to write.
Solution:
Learn about Steve Scott. He teaches people to be authority writers: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/10/14/non-fiction-success/
Main takeaways: 1. Create micro topics from big topics. 2. Focus on the genre and niche. 3. Make writing your habit.
PRODUCTIVITY: SOCIAL MEDIA FASTING
Problem:
You spend so much time on social media and browsing the web, you barely have enough time to write a book. I also struggle with this issue.
Solution:
Go on a social media fast and dump your Facebook addiciton (one exception to this: stay on Steemit.com).
Here’s how I deal with social media addiction: in the mornings, the first thing I do is write. I don’t check email or social media until I’m done writing. In this way, I force myself to accomplish goals before rewarding myself with social media.
Here’s an example of what Steve Corona experienced during his Social Media fast: http://lifehacker.com/5918784/how-30-days-without-social-media-changed-my-life
SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR WRITER’S STRUGGLES
Problem:
You hate your guts because you’re in the middle of writing a book and now you’re beginning to think it sucks. Self-doubt has taken over your brain and you need a helping hand or a caring writing coach to guide you out of your internal murky writer’s doom. Most of the self-made types out there don’t give a shit about you. All they want is your email address.
Solution:
Ani Alexander is the savior you’ve been missing. She’s a writer, too and has been where you are. Above all, Ani cares about writers and is authentic. Listen to her soothing words of encouragement from her podcast: http://www.anialexander.com/category/inspiration/
Main takeaways: 1. Don’t listen to people when they say you can’t do something. 2. You already have self-confidence within you, so tap into it.
SELF-PUBLISH EVERYWHERE?
Problem:
Should you self-publish on platforms besides Amazon?
Solution:
Yes. Publish on Steemit.com to help grow the community and make income from your contributions.
Then, publish on as many platforms as you feel comfortable with.
I would suggest the order: 1. Steemit 2. Medium 3. Amazon 4. Apple
Main takeaways: 1. Self-publish in as many places as possible. 2. If you’re not detail-oriented, hire someone to format your ebook files for you.
BUILD YOUR EMAIL LIST
Problem:
You’re dragging your feet and haven’t started an email list. How do you start? Many people have not started their lists because they thought social media had replaced emails. However, now social media has become noisy plus crowded and it’s difficult to have sustained contact with your fans. Building an email list solves that problem. Also, each time you write a new book, you’ll want your fans to have immediate access to it via your email newsletter.
Solution:
Learn from Sean Ogle because he started an email list from scratch without even having a website: http://www.seanogle.com/entrepreneurship/build-an-email-list-without-blog
Main takeaways: 1. Use Mailchimp: http://mailchimp.com/ 2. Write great content. If it's great content, it will get shared organically.
THE BUSINESS SIDE OF BOOK CREATING
Problem:
You are a delicate flower. Your soul is deep and easily shatters. The thought of you pimping your own book makes you shudder and crumble into ten thousand tiny pieces.
Solution:
Read about Jyotsna Ramachandran’s ability to build a home business from creating ebooks. She didn’t even write her first books. Instead, she hired ghost writers: http://jyotsnaramachandran.com/importance-of-passive-income/
Main takeaways: 1. Take a big gulp and harden your delicate flower insides. 2. Put your moody brain in a jar for a few hours and follow Jyotsna’s methods. 3. Don’t let your brain out of the jar until you have finished following her steps.
MARKETING: VIDEO BOOK TRAILER
Problem:
You want to make a video book trailer but have no idea what to create.
Solution:
Watch Tim Ferriss’ video book trailer.
Tim explains his process in a blog post: http://fourhourworkweek.com/2013/04/10/how-to-create-a-viral-book-trailer-or-get-1000000-views-for-almost-anything/
Main takeaways: 1. Storyboarding 2. Assembling a team to create the video. (Tim has a budget but my free solution would be to go to a local art school and find film students to create your video book trailer).
BEFORE YOU HIT THE PUBLISH BUTTON
Problem:
Your title might not be as good as it could be.
Solution:
Use James Altucher’s method of testing out possible titles in Facebook ads. Whichever ad gets the most clicks determines your title: http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2013/07/how-to-self-publish-a-bestseller-publishing-3-0/
Main takeaways: 1. Test out titles 2. Build your platform with an honest voice.
MARKETING: TRY SOMETHING NEW & EXCITING TO MARKET YOUR BOOK
Problem:
You have no idea what to do for marketing your self-published book.
Solution:
Try something new and exciting like hiring an Indian news anchor from Fiverr.com to announce your newly self-published book on a video like I did. Some people said my video book trailer was mildly amusing:
I'll be making a tutorial for Steemit newbies to use for coding soon. Also, if you have anything to add, let me know. If you have questions about writing, let me know. I like to help people and I was an English teacher in Japan for a year.