Successful Self-Publishing: Your next steps

I know self-publishing can seem daunting at first, but like any skill, once you’ve been through the process, it gets easier over time. It’s also incredibly empowering to put your words out into the world and have complete control over all aspects of your book.

Remember, you can change things later if you want to — your cover, price, sales description, even the words in your book — so don’t worry about getting things wrong. Try your best, take it step-by-step, and you’ll get there.

Step 1: Decide what to focus on and take one small step in that direction.

Stop overthinking. Stop adding more to your to-do list.

Simplify.

Decide on one concrete thing that will make a difference, then do it.

If you need to finish the first draft of your book, sit down to write.

If you want to build your email list, choose an email provider and set up a simple subscription form.

If you want to self-publish on Amazon, log into KDP and start going through the screens.

One day, or even an hour, of practical experience can propel you forward. Pick an area and learn as you go.

Step 2: Plan your time and keep turning up for those appointments with yourself until you achieve your focused goal.

If you need to finish that first draft, reorganize your schedule.

Clear space to write, then turn up to that appointment with yourself as you would to any important meeting with someone you respect.

Once you’ve achieved that goal, move on to the next step.

Finished a first draft? Great! Start the editing process.

Set up a basic email form? Great! Start learning how to bring readers to it, so they sign up.

Implement the next step once you’ve finished the last one. Don’t try to do too many different things at once or you will get overwhelmed.

You don’t have to work on this every day, or even every week, but if your author career is important to you, then make time for it. Otherwise, another year will pass and you won’t be any closer to your goal.

Step 3: Keep going, be consistent, and keep a long-term perspective.

Patience on the journey is hard, especially as you see other authors achieving the success you seek. Creativity is its own reward and you will (hopefully) find writing a satisfying way to spend your time, regardless of the external outcome.

But you might also find that over the long term, you can achieve a great deal.

Self-publishing my first book changed my life

Back in 2006, when I started writing, my life was very different.

We lived in Australia and I worked as an IT consultant implementing accounts payable systems. I wrote technical specifications at work and journaled at home.

I had no books, no readers, no website, no podcast, no blog, no social media, no YouTube channel. No author friends. No income from my words.

I had nothing but a day job I hated and a dream to escape and somehow make a living with my writing.

Almost two decades later, I’ve written and independently published more than forty-five books, and I’ve sold almost a million copies across 180 countries and six languages. I’m an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction author and an award-winning creative entrepreneur and podcaster with a multi-six-figure business based around my writing.

None of this could have happened without small actions taken almost every day, consistently for years. Writing, self-publishing, book marketing, learning new skills, connecting with readers, building my community. All compounding over time.

I love writing, and I love my job as an author entrepreneur.

Your author journey will not be the same as mine, but if you want to join me on the path ahead, you just have to take the first — or next — step.

Happy writing, and all the best with your books!