Self-publishing books on the Amazon Publishing System

Publishing your book as a freelance publisher/author is much simpler and more profitable than it was a decade ago. Even more amazing is the opportunity to market your product at a price that doesn’t require you to take out a second mortgage. Amazon Publishing Companies now consists of a group of companies whose purpose is to work with independent publishers and authors to publish them in stores as well as on the company’s website. So Amazon’s Kindle needs content; it is in their best interest to prepare authors for the enterprise.

Getting started with Amazon is just a matter of choosing your project and doing the research. Once you’ve completed and edited your book, sign in to your chosen Amazon Publishing Partner and begin the process of creating your new book. Select the format and size.

You’ll either have to design a book cover or let the people in Amazon’s publishing department work on it. They have a menu of services that can get you up and running in no time. You will pay extra for these services, so keep that in mind when looking to get work done. Amazon can even take care of a lot of the tedious work authors don’t want to do. They even have marketing teams ready to make your work stand out. Consider your budget on all of these things before you start because the cost can add up. Although Amazon offers better terms for first-time writers than the big six publishers, you won’t get an advance.

Things to consider when creating your first book
While you’re self-publishing your work, it’s a good idea to ensure your success by first building an audience. That’s what many young emerging authors have done to get big publishers to notice their work. A blog with over 100,000 followers or an email list of half a million subscribers can quickly put a book at the top of the Amazon book list. Imagine building a foundation for your bestseller while writing the book over a period of six to nine months. That is the power of advanced marketing.

Simple tips to make your book more attractive to your audience
Amazon also acknowledges the explosive growth of e-books and audiobooks. The Kindle has been a best seller for them since 2007 and is responsible for more e-book sales than hard and soft cover products right now. That doesn’t mean that people are reducing their consumption of the latter, it means that the convenience factor and the price make e-books a very attractive purchase.

The process has been streamlined, but there are still hurdles to overcome. Amazon’s publishing program has its good points, but it can still be confusing and difficult to follow if you’re looking to navigate the best book rates and syndication deals. There are experienced mentors and coaches as well as consultants who can help you get through the process successfully.