How to be a Successful Indie Author by Craig Martelle?
Want to write your own book? Wondering if a total amateur can write a quality book? Need advice on a writing style that will engage readers? Interested in how to publish a book and if writing books can make a profit?
If you have a desire to write your own book one day, and you have no previous experience in writing – this book is a fantastic read for you.
Based on his many years of experience, Craig Martelle talks about why you should publish a book by yourself. Explains why “Indie Publishing” is the best way for your book to succeed. He explains all this in 8 chapters in which he tries to present in detail each potential problem, as well as the solution to that problem.
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Chapter 1
The first chapter provides useful tips for writing any book. Craig speaks about the immense importance of a strong first line, and about the strong impression, that line leaves on each reader. He then turns to the problem of “Minimum Viable Product”, and explains what it means in the world of literature. Here, Craig talks about how to entertain the reader and make him continue reading.
He then moves on to the process of preparation for writing. He emphasizes the importance of knowing the story before you start writing. He gives advice on writing an outline of the story first but also talks about the fact that not every day will be equally creative and productive.
Craig then gets to the heart of the writing. He gives important tips and tricks for writing sentences that will better convey the atmosphere and the situation of the scene. He also points to the importance of a second opinion and getting feedback from people who have heard the story or read one part. He wants to make readers know that feedback can be used to round out a story better.
Craig points out that one of the most important traits of Indie publishing is the author’s self-discipline. Work and order must be flawless in order to be successful.
The next topic he deals with is that the story must be completed and determined. This is especially aimed at all perfectionists who change and edit every sentence in the story, and thus do not remain consistent.
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Another important lesson at the end of this chapter is that the author should develop his story slowly. One part at a time. He can do it by making a clear scheme and designing the features of the story in advance.
Chapter 2
The second chapter talks more about the business side of publishing a book. Craig focuses here on building brand, recognition, and authenticity. This is one of the most important parts when obtaining clients and audiences.
Craig also talks about creating an email list. He tells you exactly who should be on that list, and how to rank that list. He adds to this the importance of the newsletter as one of the ways for readers to be regularly informed. Provides a clear guide to compiling and submitting a newsletter.
He then reveals additional ways in which readers can follow you and find out more information about your work. Craig talks about some applications, sites, social networks, and for each he represents pros and cons.
Craig also looks at selling books at conventions and reveals his secrets on how to attract visitors and how to get them interested enough to buy your book.
This chapter ends by talking about the benefits of using a pen name, and this completes the whole story of branding.
Chapter 3
The story continues through a look at the business side of this venture. In this chapter, Craig looks at all the benefits and expenses, both obvious ones and those less visible. He recommends the Facebook group “20Booksto50k” where you can get useful tips for good earnings through publishing books.
In this chapter, Craig primarily wants to define the meaning of the word “success”. He helps his readers to form their own version of this word and to see what success means to them.
In the continuation of the story, the writer reveals how he collected information and data related to the interests of readers.
He then talks about the relationship between income and expenses, and how to keep records of cash flow. He points out all the potential revenue streams to explain how for indie authors money should not be a limitation.
The writer also dealt with the issue of organizing the business of publishing books and thoroughly explains the exact process of creating a business.
Craig then encourages each author to stop allowing distractions by the pile of data. He claims that one author should primarily focus on finishing the book on time and becoming as professional as possible.
He also provides valuable lessons on minimizing risk. In his manner, he accurately describes situations that should be avoided.
Craig views this business like any other and suggests conducting a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, threat) analysis.
Then he gives the following valuable lesson: you can only influence those things that you can control. Some situations are simply beyond your control.
Craig also comes to the part of the tax burden and here he gives guidelines and suggestions on how to regulate this issue in the best way. Then he talks about ways to deduct.
This chapter author concludes by explaining how to secure copyright books.
Also See: Craig Martelle: Advice on Self-Publishing
Chapter 4
The fourth chapter is dedicated to all the ways of publishing on Amazon. It starts with creating a launch checklist, continues with ideas on how to create the ideal cover art for a book, giving realistic examples.
Craig also devotes time to discussing how to give the book its proper title.
He informs his readers about the importance of choosing the right keywords, as well as the details that should be paid attention to when writing a blurb.
Craig also tried to explain the process of choosing the category to which your book belongs, as well as to state the reasons why it is one of the key things in a good book sale.
He also addressed the topic of digital rights management and how to upload an eBook manuscript.
Determining the price list is an important topic. Craig helps in that part by giving clear guidelines on how to set a realistic price that will be acceptable to both buyers and the author of the book.
He then teaches readers that for each publication of a book, a clear schedule should be defined and a good algorithm set.
At the end of this chapter, Craig says that it is a good idea to publish a book in parts, i.e. in multiple series.
Chapter 5
In the fifth chapter, the author deals with the formation of a group of followers and regular readers.
He wants to show you how to get the biggest reach and the best promotion for the least money. Lists different ways in which the audience can be interested.
He believes that snippets are very important for presenting a story to an audience.
He also reveals the best ways to create the following. Each proposal is explained in detail and shows the potential results.
Craig argues that getting feedback is a great way for a self-employed author to gain insight into potential problems he may not see. Here, he also warns of the possibility of the appearance of trolls and people on the Internet who do not give constructive criticism.
Chapter 6
After the successful publication of the first book, Craig continues with the author’s motivation to continue his work and start writing the next book.
Craig encourages readers to continue to set new goals and write new stories. He shows by his example how he had oscillations with a desire for further writing and motivation.
He helps readers to realistically set their goals and not give up before the goal. He reminds readers of the main ways to start a book and shape the story. Expanding vocabulary and the word count written daily is a sure way to a complete book.
One of the writer’s goals should be to provoke a reaction in people and to get reviews. Craig thinks that if people don’t comment on the book and don’t leave reviews, it means they didn’t like it.
Craig understands that every writer encounters a period of fatigue and a blockade of creativity, so he dedicates the end of this chapter to the writer’s motivation and to giving support and advice for overcoming that crisis.
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Chapter 7
The seventh chapter is completely dedicated to marketing and advertising. Craig first introduces readers to the importance of good marketing and the reach it achieves. He also explains terms that are important for understanding this topic.
One of the most important indicators of a business’s success is Return on Investment (ROI). Craig shows by example how this number is calculated and what it shows.
He introduces readers to the concept of margin and again shows its value on an example.
He then moves on to advertising. He starts with Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) ads. Shows the way they are used and the best way to run them. He then moves on to Facebook ads and BookBub ads, thus closing chapter seven.
Chapter 8
The author dedicates the eighth chapter to further clarifying the necessary terms and things related to the successful publication of the book.
He starts with the story of author rank and what it represents to a writer. Then moves on to looking for agents and services they can offer you. If the reader chooses an agent to represent him, Craig states what can be expected of him.
Craig tells his readers that one of the better things for business they can do is to arrange a collaboration. A book that is written and published in collaboration with another successful author can bring a new audience, as well as higher income. Craig also talks here about potential ways to contract a collaboration.
Every writer would love to be on the bestseller list. With that in mind, Craig explains to his readers how to achieve this.
Craig also wants to inform his readers about all the conventions and professional organizations where books are promoted. He also looks back at the previously mentioned Facebook group 20Booksto50k and talks about its influence.
Craig wanted to give important lessons in this book dedicated to making the right plans, setting the right goals, and focusing on the right things. He motivates his readers-future writers and helps them in the process of creating both books and businesses by selflessly revealing his secrets of success.
He talks about how to maintain continuity and good quality, and at the same time quickly and efficiently complete and publish a book.
At the very end, he ranks the books by the number of words and helps the reader to choose for himself.
He warns that this is a corrosive creative process where you have to go gradually and that there are no shortcuts. Concludes the story by saying if the beauty of writing is combined with the smartness of business, great things can be achieved.
Main Image Source: Pixabay
Also See: What’s Craig Martelle’s Life Like?
