My book – How to Cash In as a Blogger was written over a year ago. It was released February 2016 on Amazon and my second book is still under construction. The second book would be on an entirely different topic, so watch this space. It promises to be good!
So what did I learn from writing a book? I learned a lot. It could take me a day and a half to write all I learned from writing a book on here, so I will summarise the main lessons, and try to keep it as brief as possible.
Lesson 1 – Writing an eBook was the smart way to go
I released only an e version of my book. There are no paperbacks and this was deliberate. I only read ebooks on my Amazon Kindle. I have not bought a paperback in years because I don’t have the space for them. I love reading. I read about 2 books a week easily. So imagine if they were all paperbacks? We won’t have a place to sit!
I also didn’t want to put myself under pressure to sell! Having the paperbacks would have been an issue if I couldn’t sell them quick. I was not prepared for that added pressure So you won’t be reading a paperback version of How to Cash In as a Blogger or any of my future books anytime soon.
Lesson 2 – Self-promotion is the only way up
This kind of took me by surprise. I thought all I had to do was to write a book worth reading and the buyers would come. I was so wrong. Self-promotion is the only way up! I am still working on this. I am very good at promoting blog posts and all, but I struggled to promote my book as much as I should for reasons I am not aware of. It just didn’t come natural to me.
Maybe because it is my first product. I guess I would have to wait to see if self-promoting my second book would be easier. Regardless of how hard I find the whole promotion process, it has to be done. So be ready to self-promote like crazy if you want to write a book.
Lesson 3 – Be ready for the attention
Writing a book brought myself and Fashion and Style Police a lot of attention. So it was a good thing I was ready for it. I expected some attention but as much as I got, especially in the early days. This attention can be a blessing and a curse at the same time, depending on your circumstances and how long you look at it.
The best way to handle this new found fame is to make sure your social media accounts and blog are looking the part. Also, remember to make the most of the attention.
Lesson 4 – I can’t live on the sales of 1 book
This was never my intention but it is good I have experienced this first hand so I know. My book sales are less than 10% of my yearly income, so surviving on the sales would be impossible. I plan to write more books in future, and I don’t plan on surviving on the sales I make from those either, although it would be amazing if I could. Having said that, I have collaborated with many brands, in various ways because of my book. So I am living on some collaborations thanks to writing a book, if that makes sense.
Lesson 5 – The reviews or lack of them
Before I though of writing a book, I didn’t think about how many authors struggle to get their book buyers to leave reviews. Now this does not affect only authors, but all businesses. Reviews are like oxygen to a business owner, and we all need them. As I type this post, I have less than 10 reviews and I have had my book downloaded hundreds of times. So why do I have only 9 reviews? Big question that no one can answer. All I know is that book readers do not enjoy writing books reviews.
Now that I have written a book, I know how important book reviews are to an author so I make sure to leave a review, whether it is good or bad. If you have read my book, please leave a review. I need those reviews like I need air. If you have not read my book, you can download it here.
Thanks for reading. Have a lovely week.
Really interesting read this, People are forever telling me I should write an ebook around how to earn money online but I’m just not sure if it is worth the effort vs how much money I would make from it…
I would say you should it. Even if it does not bring in as much money as you would want, it does bring credibility you can’t buy.
This is a good insight into self-publishing! I still prefer reading physical books. Have never really gotten into e-books, but you’re right. Running out of bookshelf space is a constant fear in our house 😉
I can imagine. We have no more space on ours.
Wow go you! This is great advice, E-books are such a great idea without the outlay for printing.
Yes Laura.
I appreciate you sharing your experience with this I think I’m in kinda the same mind and timeframe span. I the e-book idea is genius but i also want to incorporate my affiliate marketing links in the blogs also. How would something like that work? 🙂
Just add the affiliate links in your blog posts as you would normally. As long as you disclose you would be fine.
I wrote an ebook a while ago and while it is definitely the way to go the self promotion part is pretty challenging to say the least!
Yea very challenging. I wish someone told me how hard it would be.
I never realised how hard it was to get people to review your products! It’s a shame when it has been downloaded so many times!
So hard to get a review. I really wonder why.
Interesting to hear your experience of it, and all the extra things you have to think about
Glad you found it interesting.
Well done on writing a book, it sounds like it was a learning curve. Good luck with book number 2 x
Thank you x
Writing a book is on my bucket list. I ghost written one last year and it was soul destroying to see someone else’s name on it. Lesson learned, I had no idea it would stir up those sorts of emotions!
Oh good. I am sure it would be nice to tick that off your bucket list. I know what you mean about how soul destroying to would feel to see someone’s name on a book you wrote. I would struggle to.
I brought your book in the early days of me becoming a blogger and it really helped a lot! By the way I wrote a review for you! Amazon is apparently processing my review x
Oh thanks. I hope the comment is processed quick, lol x
I totally need to read this book of your lovely.
Pls do x
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I only read ebooks too. If I had a massive house I’d read real books and have a library but sadly no space for that!
Yea same here. I read too much to buy paper backs!
Reviews: the struggle is real. I think this has a lot to do with people who are not conversant with the online world. They do not know the importance of reviews….
No, books sales is not enough to live on except if you sell millions every week.
Your next book will be great.
X
Amen sis. Thank you xo
A very interesting topic to read. I am just starting mine. 😁
Oh nice. Good luck with the book Nathalia.
Thanks!