Start Here: Your Guide to Self-Publishing a Book That Sells

Welcome. This blog answers the questions self-published authors ask most, in plain language, one question per article.

Not sure where to begin? Start with the first group below, or jump to the topic you need right now. Every article gives you a clear answer, simple steps, and one industry hack that makes the path easier.

Want a quick check on what may be holding your book back? Download the free 10-point checklist.

New to Self-Publishing? Start Here

The big picture: what self-publishing is, where to begin, and how successful authors think.

• What Are the 7 Secret Rules of Self-Publishing a Book That Sells?

• Where Do I Start If I Want to Self-Publish a Book?

• What Is Self-Publishing and Is It Right for Me?

• What Is the Best Advice for a First-Time Self-Publisher?

• Should I Try Traditional Publishing or Self-Publish?

• What Is a Book Strategy and Why Do I Need One?

• What Do Successful Self-Published Authors Do Differently?

• What Are Quick Wins That Can Help My Book Sell This Week?

• What Is the Difference Between a Publisher and a Printer?

• How Do I Choose the Right Self-Publishing Service Provider?

• Is a Book Coach Worth It for a Self-Published Author?

• What Does an Author Manager Do and Do I Need One?

• Where Can a Self-Published Author Learn the Business of Books?

• What Is the Difference Between a Writer and an Author?

Your Cover, Title, and Description

The first things readers see, and the biggest reasons they buy or scroll past.

• What Makes a Book Cover Sell?

• How Do I Choose a Book Title That Sells?

• What Should a Book Subtitle Do?

• How Do I Write a Short Book Description That Hooks Readers?

• How Do I Write an Amazon Book Description That Sells?

• How Do the Title, Subtitle, and Description Work Together to Sell a Book?

• How Do I Know What Genre My Book Is?

• Do I Need Credentials to Write a Nonfiction Book?

Get Found and Sell on Amazon

Keywords, categories, reviews, ads, and launches: how readers actually find your book.

• How Does Amazon KDP Work for Self-Published Authors?

• How Do I Choose Keywords That Help Readers Find My Book on Amazon?

• How Do I Choose the Right Amazon Categories for My Book?

• How Do I Get More Honest Reviews for My Book?

• How Do I Plan a Book Launch That Actually Works?

• Can a Self-Published Book Really Turn Around After a Slow Start?

• Should I Pay for Ads to Sell My Book?

• How Do Amazon Ads Work for Authors?

• What Does It Really Mean to Be a Bestseller on Amazon?

• How Do I Know How Many Copies My Book Has Sold?

• What Is SEO and Why Should an Author Care?

• Should I Sell My Book on Apple Books?

• Should I Publish with Lulu Instead of (or Alongside) Amazon?

Writing, Editing, and Formatting Your Book

Making the inside of your book as professional as the outside.

• Do I Really Need a Professional Editor for My Book?

• How Do I Format My Book for Kindle and Paperback?

• What Makes a Book Interior Look Professional?

• What Industry Standards Should a Self-Published Book Meet?

• Should My Book Be an Ebook, Paperback, Hardcover, or Audiobook?

• Should I Turn My Book into an Audiobook?

• How Do I Research My Book's Market Before I Publish?

• What Software Does a Self-Published Author Really Need?

• What Is the Best Writing Software for Authors?

• Can Editing Software Replace a Human Editor?

• What Software Should I Use to Format My Book?

• What Mobile Apps Make Self-Publishing Easier?

• How Do I Self-Publish a Poetry Book?

• Can Poets Make Money Self-Publishing?

• How Can Artists and Illustrators Self-Publish Their Work?

Build Your Author Platform

Your website, email list, social media, and speaking: the ways readers get to know you.

• How Do I Market My Book If I'm Not a Marketing Expert?

• Does an Author Really Need a Website?

• Why Is an Email List So Important for Authors?

• What Should an Author Put in Their Link in Bio?

• How Do I Turn Readers into Loyal Fans?

• How Much Time Should an Author Spend on Social Media?

• How Can an Author Build Influence on Social Media?

• How Should Authors Use Facebook and Instagram?

• Should an Author Have a Facebook Page or Use a Personal Profile?

• Can TikTok Help Sell My Book Even If I'm Not Young or Trendy?

• How Can LinkedIn Help a Nonfiction Author?

• Can Pinterest Really Help Sell Books?

• Is Threads Worth It for Authors?

• Is X (Twitter) Still Useful for Authors?

• Should an Author Write a Blog?

• How Do Authors Get Booked for Speaking Events and Interviews?

• How Do I Prepare for a Book Signing or Speaking Event?

• Should an Author Start a Podcast or Be a Guest on One?

• How Can Live Chats and Q&As Help Me Connect with Readers?

• What Domain Name Should an Author Choose?

• What Is a CRM and Why Would an Author Need One?

Video and YouTube

Simple ways to reach readers with video, even if you have never filmed before.

• Why Should Authors Use Video to Promote Their Books?

• How Can a YouTube Channel Help Sell My Book?

• What Is the Easiest Way for an Author to Make Videos?

• How Long Should an Author's YouTube Video Be?

• How Do I Turn One Long Video into Many Short Videos?

• Can I Promote My Book on Video Without Showing My Face?

• Should Authors Use AI Avatars and Voice Clones in Videos?

• How Does the YouTube Partner Program Work for Authors?

• What Is VidIQ and Can It Help an Author on YouTube?

Make Money from Your Book

Royalties are just the start. Here is how one book can become several income streams.

• How Do Self-Published Authors Actually Make Money?

• Can One Book Create 12 Income Streams for an Author?

• How Do I Monetize My Book Beyond Book Sales?

• What Products Can an Author Sell Besides the Book?

• Should I Sell My Book Directly from My Own Website?

• How Can Authors Earn Money with Affiliate Programs?

• Can Authors Get Brand Deals and Sponsorships?

AI Tools for Authors

How to use AI as a helpful assistant while keeping your own voice.

• Can I Use AI to Help Write or Publish My Book?

• How Can Claude AI Help a Self-Published Author?

• How Can ChatGPT Help Me Market My Book?

• What Can Google Gemini Do for a Self-Published Author?

ISBNs, Copyright, and Legal Basics

Protecting your work and your rights. General information, not legal advice.

• Do I Need My Own ISBN or Is the Free One Good Enough?

• How Do I Register My Book So Stores and Libraries Can Find It?

• How Do I Protect the Copyright on My Book?

• What Rights Do I Keep When I Self-Publish My Book?

• Can I License My Book for Translations, Audio, or Film?

• Can I Use Images, Music, or Quotes from Others in My Book or Videos?

• What Legal Basics Should Every Self-Published Author Know?

Have a question that is not answered here? Book a Free 15-minute Phone Consultation and ask us directly.