7 Biggest Lies About Self-Publishing!

Summary

In this video, the creator debunks seven common misconceptions about self-publishing books. These include myths around traditional publishing paying better, KDP Select being fully exclusive, Amazon being the best platform for book sales, the idea that competition is bad, self-publishing not being a passive income, the claim that quality content can be created in three easy steps, and the belief that ads are the only way to sell books. Through personal experience, the creator encourages self-publishers to understand the truth and avoid common pitfalls in the industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Traditional publishing doesn't always pay better than self-publishing. Advances are often smaller than expected, and royalties are much lower compared to self-publishing.
• 😀 KDP Select is not completely exclusive. It only applies to the ebook version of your book, and you can still sell print and audio versions elsewhere.
• 😀 Amazon is not necessarily the best platform for selling your book. While it offers great traffic, royalties are lower compared to selling on your own website.
• 😀 Competition is not bad. Healthy competition in your niche can drive success and create better visibility for your book.
• 😀 Self-publishing can indeed be a form of passive income. While initial effort is required, the income generated once your book is published can continue with little to no additional effort.
• 😀 Creating a quality book should never be 'easy.' It's important to put effort into crafting a good product, and claiming it only takes a few steps can be misleading.
• 😀 You don’t need ads to sell books. Organic sales, email lists, and social media can help you succeed without running paid ads.
• 😀 Self-publishing success often depends on perseverance. Many people fail because they give up too soon, especially when they feel overwhelmed by misleading claims about the process.
• 😀 Traffic from Amazon is valuable, but it’s not the only way to sell books. Building your own platform with a website and email list can yield higher returns in the long term.
• 😀 Don't be misled by quick-fix solutions. Building a self-publishing business requires effort, strategy, and time to see success.

Q & A

What is the first lie about self-publishing books mentioned in the script?

The first lie is that traditional publishing pays better than self-publishing. While traditional publishers may offer advances, they are often smaller than expected, and the royalties are much lower compared to self-publishing, where you can earn higher percentages.

What is KDP Select, and is it really exclusive?

KDP Select is a program where your eBook is exclusive to Amazon for a 90-day period. However, it only applies to the digital version, and you can still sell the print or audio versions of your book on other platforms.

Is Amazon the best platform to sell self-published books?

No, while Amazon is a large marketplace with great traffic, it is not the best platform for everyone. Selling on your own website can offer higher royalties and more control, though it requires driving traffic to the site.

Why is competition not bad in self-publishing?

Competition is essential because it indicates demand for a niche. Healthy competition encourages better quality, more sales, and more visibility. If there’s competition, it means people are interested in the books within that niche.

Is self-publishing truly passive income?

While self-publishing can lead to passive income once the book is published, it is not entirely passive at the start. It requires effort to create the book, but once it's online, it can generate sales with minimal additional work.

Why is the claim of creating a good-quality book in three easy steps misleading?

Creating a high-quality book takes effort and thought. The idea that it’s as simple as three easy steps is a misleading simplification that can lead to disappointment. The process involves title selection, keywords, descriptions, and quality content.

Can you sell books without running ads?

Yes, you can sell books without ads. Organic sales can come from word-of-mouth, social media, email lists, and good visibility in the right niche. Ads can help increase visibility, but they are not a necessity for success.

What are the disadvantages of relying solely on Amazon for sales?

Relying only on Amazon means you don’t own customer data, and you cannot contact your customers outside of Amazon. If Amazon takes down your account or removes your book, you lose access to those customers unless you have an independent platform or email list.

What role does the niche play in self-publishing success?

Choosing the right niche is crucial. A niche with lower competition may offer more visibility for a new author, while a highly competitive niche requires exceptional quality to stand out. The niche helps determine the level of organic sales you can generate.

What is the biggest factor that separates successful self-published authors from those who fail?

The biggest difference is persistence. Successful authors don’t quit. They keep publishing and refining their work, while those who fail often give up after not seeing instant success due to unrealistic expectations.