I know what you’re thinking: “She’s been around for a while now, and surely she must have written a successful book by now.”
But the truth is, she’s still searching for that perfect publisher who will give her a fair shot at making her dreams come true.
Now is the perfect time to find that publisher, because you—the reader—can help her find the best possible deal.
Why Should I Write My Ebook In?
You’re an independent self-publisher, and you know what? You’ve picked an amazing niche—yoga books!
Just think about it for a minute: the perfect winter pick-me-up, the perfect guide for long, lonely nights, and the perfect gift for yourself. What’s not to love?
And the best part is, it’s a completely untapped market. You can be the first self-published author to crack this particular niche, and when you do, you’ll be able to write your own ticket.
The Top 3 Self-Publishing Platforms
I need your help, dear reader. I want to make sure that you get the best possible outcome from this situation. So I’m going to tell you about the top 3 self-publishing platforms, along with the pros and cons of each.
Here we go:
Amazon Kindle
With Amazon’s Kindle, you have access to a huge audience who wishes them, too. Especially now that their platform offers an indie publishing option. And when you think about it, the perfect niche for the Amazon Kindle is…well, you guessed it: yoga books!
Pros: Huge audience, lots of options when it comes to formatting, lots of marketing tools, and the list goes on. Cons: It can be quite pricey, especially if you want design templates. Additionally, you need to keep in mind that Amazon is a for-profit company, and this might cloud your judgment when it comes to choosing a title for your book.
Apple iBooks
Coming soon, Apple iBooks will become a fully-fledged publishing platform, and it’s the perfect choice for any indie publisher who wants to bypass the big houses and go straight to the masses.
Pros: Extremely user-friendly, beautifully designed, and accessible for all ages and skill levels. Cons: I mean, this is Apple we’re talking about, so the list of cons is actually pretty darn long. From font choices to page layout to the dreaded adverts that intersperse your content—the list is pretty much endless. And let’s not forget about the 30% cut that Apple takes from any money made from your published work.
Google Play Books
Finally, we arrive at Google Play Books, the perfect mix of the pros and cons of the two previous items on this list. What makes Google Play Books different from the rest is that it was built from the ground up as a library-exclusive reader.
Pros: You get to choose your own font, margins, and orientation. The layout is also extremely customizable. Cons: As an indie publisher, you’re going to have to do a lot of the technical work yourself. Additionally, if you decide to go the self-publishing route, you’ll need a Google account, which most people will consider to be a con. But if you want to be able to download your book to multiple devices (i.e. your phone, tablet, and laptop), then this is a pro.
Keep in mind: none of these platforms are perfect for every indie publisher, and you need to do a bit of research before you make a decision.
Deciding Where To Publish
Now that you have an idea of the top 3 self-publishing platforms, it’s time to decide where you want to publish your ebook.
The decision-making process is quite simple:
- Price: Considering the cost of printing, shipping, and storage, you need to decide how much you’re willing to spend on books.
- Promotion: Do you want to go the traditional route and use free blog tours, social media posts, and maybe paid advertisements to get the word out? Or, do you want to take the DIY route and use your existing social media accounts to directly promote your book?
- Style: Do you want a traditional look with lots of white space and occasional photos or illustrations? Or, do you want to go for a more minimal look with solid text and maybe some helpful charts and figures?
- Content: What is your target audience, and what do you want them to gain from your book?
These are just some of the issues that you need to consider when deciding where to publish your ebook. There are plenty more, such as cover design, formatting, and even the name you choose for your book (make sure it’s trademarked, if you want to keep your author’s name).
With so much information to think about, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s where a good publishing consultant comes in handy. They can help you determine the perfect fit for your book. And after you’ve found that fit, it’s time to write that perfect novel.