When I wrote and published my Motivation Master Class audio series, I did so because I knew the product would be a success. It has generated a very nice residual income for me over the past 3 years and helped thousands of people, spanning 4 continents, to achieve some great results.
Once the audio series was written and produced, I was able to refer to myself in my marketing as Jim Connolly; author and marketing specialist. You might (or might not) be amazed to know what an immediate, powerful impact that had on my marketing results. Response rates improved across the board. I also found that I was able to easily get guest spots on the radio and to have my articles published. The Business Editor’s of newspapers were keen to give me write ups in their business pages – and all because I decided to put some of my knowledge onto CD’s.
Two good reasons to get that book of yours on paper
These days, many people with a specialisation decide to write an ebook. These are usually given away for free, though some are sold. Whilst this is great, it’s becoming increasingly common. In other words, telling people you are the author of an ebook has a lot less impact, than being the author of a hardback or paperback book. That’s because anyone with a computer and some free software can publish an ebook.
However, only a tiny percentage of people (and a microscopic number of your competitors), will have been published as the author of a traditional, softback or hardback book. The good news is that now, you can self-publish a book for very little and benefit, the same as me, from; a new income stream and a stack of kudos!
How?
There are a number of websites, which will allow you to produce high quality hardback or paperback books in extremely small numbers (or huge ones). Try a google search for “self publishing”. Lulu.com is probably the best known of these self-publishing websites. So, if you just want to produce 10 or 50 paper-based copies (just to get you started or test the market) – Now you can!
A new income stream or career?
There could be a huge public demand for your book – and a great way to find out is to get it ‘out there!’ I sold copies of my audio program all over the world and made a lot of money with very little effort. I know a large number of my readers are specialists in their area of business, just like I am with marketing. However, I also know that many of my readers are not professional marketers – but you don’t have to be. Many of these self-publishing sites will even help you market your book, if you want them to. They will also deal with things like distribution.
I’m not suggesting this is ideal for everyone. I would only suggest doing this if you genuinely believe your book will be of interest to people – the idea is to produce something of value, with potential to become a profitable income stream for your business. The kudos of the author title, whilst powerful, should be secondary.
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Jim, certainly good advice, as always. It made a HUGE difference to me when my ebook was finally published in paperback.
Thanks for another really useful post
And love the huge FF logo!
Nicola,
Thanks for the feedback. Good to hear from someone I know, who has actually published herself.
Perception is a powerful thing. When we are in hardback or paperback, people’s perception of us as an authority on our subject seems to skyrocket.
It certainly does.
When your book is published you go meta to your subject and become an author.
It also changes your preceptions about yourself. The feeling of holding your first book in your hands is priceless
Meant “perceptions”.
Nicola,
I have heard similar positive feedback from a lot of authors.
As an author of a book published by a mainstream publisher who is considering self-publishing my second book, I think it’s important to note that being a self-published author doesn’t carry the same cachet. It takes a lot to get a book deal from a publishing house, and having a book published shows the author has gone through those hoops. But if you have already have a network, the economics of self-publishing are usually better for a first time author.
Hi Jim! Very good tip on self-publishing. Thanks for sharing ur ideas with us.It’s all about perception, isn’t it.
Hace a buzzworthy day
Flora
Today’s NY Times on self-publishing: “The point may soon come when there are more people who want to write books than there are people who want to read them.” http://tinyurl.com/aw92kr
We often tell our students that very few non-fiction authors make money on a book. The odds are stacked highly against you.
HOWEVER, many authors have become rich BECAUSE they had a book.
You are all spot-on.
I loved the NYT article.
This is my first time here. I’ve added your feed to my reader.
Hi Jim & thanks for sending this post. But I received it last week. Thanks for sharing ur great sites with us.
See ya
Djinou,
What do you mean ’sending this post?’ It was posted here a week ago – that’s it.
Sorry Jim!
Was just surprised to see it in my box this morning although I received it last week. Never mind!!!
Djinou,
So it was only sent to you once – right?
Jim!
Rather twice but as I told u never mind coz it was useful to read it a second time.
Thx
I have no idea why Feedburner sent that post twice. I’ve got my blog guy looking at it. Feedburner are moving over to Google right now, this ‘might’ have caused it.