Thanks to blogger Madyson Grant for this guest post!

Self publishing your book allows you total control over your work. There are several benefits to choosing self publication over other options. You will need to know a few basics to get started on creating, formatting and releasing your work.

Choose Your Format

The first thing that you need to know is whether you want to publish a traditional book or an ebook, or both. The costs of publication may be important to consider, as are your goals. For instance, an ebook can be published for very little cost but can be a very valuable tool in reaching potential customers in the online marketplace, while traditional paperback books can cost five dollars and up per copy. You may also need to order a specific number of copies before your book is printed when choosing paper over digital books.

Become Familiar with Formalities

A self published book is one that has you listed as the publisher. It is your responsibility to obtain an ISBN number, which ensures you can republish your work later. You may also want to consider looking at current copyright laws regarding self published books and the costs and requirements for legal protection after your book is published.

Formatting and Editing

Whether you want to publish a bestseller or a business based book to increase your professional credibility, editing and formatting is vital. A book that contains aesthetically appealing font, titles, and images increases audience satisfaction immensely. If you decide to self publish, hiring a graphic designer to format your book ensures the publication is appealing to readers.

Editing is perhaps the most important step in publishing a book. Errors can reduce credibility and distract readers. Hiring an editor is a wise choice. A freelance editor can eliminate mistakes and improve the flow of sentences for a moderate fee. It is much better to hire graphic designers and editors than to create a work that loses readers because of small mistakes.

Reaching An Audience

Marketing is only part of finding the right audience for your work. You will need to decide how much to charge, whether there will be discounts available, and where to sell your book after it is ready to publish. Many websites sell ebooks, but also require you pay a small fee for each copy sold through the website.

Manage Your Time

Publishing a book takes a lot of time and commitment. You will need to hire and work with editors, find a venue to sell the book, reach out to customers who may be interested in the publication, and be willing to invest money in your book if you want to see revenue from the publication.

Editor’s Note: For those interested in pursuing more great info about the ins and outs of self publishing, WWW highly recommends APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch.

About the Author: Madyson Grant enjoys spending time with her family and encouraging them to make the most of their talents. She is currently blogging on behalf of Smartpress.com Online Printing Company.