Five Best and Free Videos on Self-Publishing eBooks (Wide and Amazon)

Introduction

There is a behemoth of content on self-publishing and while that’s great some times its difficult to navigate some less informative videos. These videos right here provide individual expertise as well as some novice authors narrating their experiences. These are not numbered and are just a list of five videos that I watched on YouTube that increased my knowledge of Book publishing and marketing.

1. How to Self-Publish a Book on Amazon KDP in 2024 by the self-publishing empire.

Coming up at number one, I watched How to Self-Publish a Book on Amazon KDP in 2024 by the self-publishing empire. In the video, Craig, the author of several novels and self-published coloring books, breaks down the benefits and downsides of self-publishing.

This video is central to self-publishing for free only on Amazon and he makes his case on why he thinks Amazon self-publishing is the best. He notes the benefits and downsides of self-publishing. Craig gives us the process of self-publishing and uploading your book on Amazon step by step. The video is a recent one which makes it a must-watch before you upload your first self-published book.

Summary

The video provides a step-by-step tutorial on self-publishing a book on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) in 2024. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of self-publishing, the requirements for publishing a book, and the detailed process of uploading and publishing a paperback book on Amazon KDP.

Key Points

Self-Publishing: Pros and Cons

1. Self-publishing through Amazon offers the opportunity to publish your book quickly, without the long process of traditional publishing.
2. Self-publishing allows for full creative control but can be more expensive and time-consuming.
3. Self-publishing enables you to create and publish more books, but also requires learning marketing strategies to sell your books.
4. One downside of self-publishing is the lack of an upfront payment, as opposed to traditional publishing.

Preparing for Self-Publishing

1. Before starting, you need a formatted manuscript, a book cover, and information about your book such as title, price, keywords, and description.
2. Amazon KDP provides a free ISBN, which is optional if you want to publish wide.

Self Publishing with Amazon KDP Process

1. Amazon KDP is the easiest and simplest way to self-publish, with only three main steps.
2. Amazon is a huge marketplace, with 71% of readers buying books on the platform.
3. The Kindle Unlimited subscription service offers an opportunity to reach more readers and get paid per page read.
4. Amazon’s print-on-demand service eliminates the need to store physical books.

Uploading and Publishing Your Book

1. The process begins at kdp.amazon.com, where you can create a new book and enter all the necessary details.
2. You need to select the appropriate publishing rights, primary audience, and categories for your book.
3. Keyword research is crucial for optimizing your book’s discoverability on Amazon.
4. You can choose between a black-and-white or colour interior, as well as the trim size and paper type.
5. Formatting your manuscript and cover correctly is essential for a successful publication.
6. The final step is setting the pricing and deciding whether to use Amazon’s expanded distribution.

2. How One Author Sold Over 80k Books | Book Marketing | Self-Publishing.

Here April Cox took an interview of Misty Black and how Misty Black wrote 22 books in 2.5 years sharing her secrets and highlighting the need to use one or maybe two marketing channels. Here is the summary of the video.

Misty, a successful author, shares her journey of selling over 85,000 books, emphasizing the importance of treating writing as a business and continuous learning.

Summary 

1. Misty sold over 85,000 books after starting her journey in 2019.
2. She took writing and business courses to build her skills in learning how to self-publish.
3. Misty emphasizes the need to treat writing as a business.
4. She launched multiple books in a short time, focusing on a series.
5. Misty provides helpful strategies for other authors.
6. She now mentors aspiring authors through her courses teaching self-publishing Amazon Kindle direct publishing as well as wide publishing.
7. Misty highlights the importance of a strong online presence.

Key Insights

1. Treat Writing as a Business: Misty stresses that authors must approach their writing careers with a business mindset, which includes learning about marketing and finance. This approach has helped her achieve significant sales.
2. Invest in Learning: Continuous education is crucial. Taking courses on writing and entrepreneurship allowed Misty to refine her craft and understand the market better, leading to her success.
3. Focus on Series: Writing multiple books in a series can boost sales, as one book leads readers to the next, creating a loyal audience. Misty’s strategy of publishing numerous titles has proven effective.
4. Adapt Launch Strategies: Misty learned from her initial launch failures. Now, she emphasizes the importance of gathering reviews and utilizing targeted marketing approaches to ensure the success of her book launches.
5. Mentorship and Community: Misty values the support she received and now gives back by mentoring other authors, showcasing the importance of community in the writing journey.
6. Use of Technology: A well-structured website can act as an automated employee for authors, helping with email collection and product promotion, which Misty found essential for her business and easier to gain readers for her self-published book on Amazon KDP.
7. Balance and Grace: Misty encourages authors to give themselves grace and celebrate their achievements, as the writing journey can be challenging and filled with setbacks.

3. Thirdly we have the spokesperson of Story Grid Tim Garhl

The author of “Your 1st 1000 Copies” talks about his experience as a book marketer. Book marketing is challenging, but the key is to find your audience and believe in your book’s value to ensure long-term success. He highlights the fact that book marketing is a two-year window after you have launched your book. Tim says that he believes in writing for SAM (single audience member) finding a single person that would love your book. And many of these SAMs make up your audience. Your first 100 SAMs could potentially market your book for you.

Highlights

1. Book marketing and self publishing a book is unique and difficult.
2. Focus on long-term sales, not just first-week numbers.
3. Many successful books take time to gain traction.
4. Identify and reach out to those who will love your book.
5. A positive mindset about your book is crucial for marketing success.
6. Word of mouth is essential for sustained book sales.
7. Utilize resources like Story Grid to enhance your writing and marketing.

Key Insights

1. Long-Term Focus: Successful book marketing prioritizes sustained sales over initial hype. Many bestsellers grow their audience gradually. 
2. Targeted Outreach: Focus on finding your ideal readers. Reaching out to individuals who will appreciate your book can lead to organic growth. 
3. Gradual Growth: Many books find success years after release, emphasizing that patience is key in the publishing world. 
4. Belief in Your Work: Authors must truly believe in their book’s value to effectively promote it. Confidence translates to effective marketing. 
5. Word of Mouth: Genuine recommendations from readers are more impactful than any marketing campaign; encourage those who read your book to share their thoughts. 
6. Self-Publishing Opportunities: Self-publishing a book allows authors to control their marketing efforts and connect directly with their audience.
7. Mindset Matters: A strong belief in the reader’s benefit from your book enhances your marketing approach, ensuring you actively promote it.  

4. The self-publishing with Dale

The self-publishing with Dale is another great channel in general but his interview with Susan Montgomery is a great watch. Susan explains how as an introvert she deals with marketing her books but deals with it by going to events and podcasts so that she can be in her comfort zone but still run her business. She talks about technical details like sharing emails with her audience and creating one sheet.

Highlights

1. Introverted authors often find book marketing daunting.
2. Susan Montgomery specializes in children’s books about the ukulele and she learned how to self-publish through a series of trials and errors.
3. A mindset shift can transform how authors view marketing.
4. Sharing passion helps connect with audiences effectively.
5. Personalized marketing plans can alleviate pressure.
6. Engaging with local businesses can create opportunities.
7. Authenticity and preparation are key to successful marketing.

Key Insights

1. Mindset Shift: Transitioning from reluctance to enthusiasm about marketing is possible through self-discovery and passion for one’s work. This shift can empower authors to take proactive steps.
2. Community Engagement: Local events and partnerships (like coffee shops and schools) can provide platforms for authors to share their work, making marketing feel more relatable and less intimidating.
3. Personalization: Tailoring marketing efforts to individual strengths and comfort levels is crucial. This approach reduces overwhelm and enhances effectiveness.
4. Visual Preparation: Using tools like Canva for creating media kits and promotional materials streamlines the marketing process, making it easier for authors to present their work.
5. Authenticity: Letting one’s personality shine through in marketing efforts fosters genuine connections with the audience, making the author relatable and memorable.
6. Ongoing Learning: Embracing the learning process in marketing challenges can lead to continuous growth and improvement, encouraging authors to adapt and evolve.
7. Event Reflection: Analyzing past events to assess what worked and what didn’t helps refine strategies for future marketing efforts, contributing to ongoing success.

5. Lastly, we have the infamous Chandler bolt.

Highlights

1. Empowering authors: Self-publishing a book builds authority and shares expertise.
2. Overcoming doubts: You don’t need to be an expert; just know a bit more than your audience.
3. Writing method: The More Writing Method simplifies the writing process into manageable steps.
4. Marketing strategies: Effective book marketing can enhance business growth and visibility.
5. Establish authority: A book helps position you as a thought leader in your niche.
6. Income diversification: Books provide passive income through royalties.

Key Insights

1. Unique Voice: Everyone has a unique perspective to share, making your story and knowledge valuable. Embrace your individuality as an author to connect with readers.
2. Time Management: Balance writing with a busy schedule by setting achievable word count goals and creating a sustainable writing routine, ensuring progress without burnout.
3. Writing Framework: Utilize the More Writing Method (Mind map, Outline, Rough draft, Editing) for an efficient writing process, simplifying complex tasks.
4. Business Growth: A book serves as a powerful marketing tool, attracting clients and enhancing brand visibility, ultimately leading to increased revenue.
5. Virtual Book Tours: Podcast interviews are more effective for book promotion than traditional media, allowing for targeted outreach to engaged audiences.
6. Partnership Opportunities: Collaborating with influencers and partners can expand your reach and create new marketing channels, enhancing book sales and business growth.
7. Intentional Launching: Proper planning for a book launch is crucial. Focus on promotions, reviews, and a strong launch team to maximize impact and sales.

Conclusion

In summary, all of these resources are great for understanding how to self-publish on Amazon and wide. 

I am on a journey to self-publish my first science fiction novel which is about a boy who wants to be the best robot warrior. A fierce competition in which robots fight robots and are a combination of technology and the ability to fight. In his journey as a robot warrior, he finds out that his lost parents are alive somewhere and his skills as a robot warrior will be tested to see if he can get to them before it’s too late. Please subscribe so that you don’t miss the updates.

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