Prospective publishers are like prospective employers -- both want you to have experience, but neither wants to be the one to give it to you.
“Have you been published before?” the publisher asks.
“Not yet.” you answer. “But I really think I have a great book here that given the opportunity…
“What’s your platform for communicating with people? How many people know of you and what do they know you for?
“Well, I own a small consulting business. I write a weekly newsletter and send it out through my website. I wouldn’t say I have a huge circle but...
“Okay. Tell me about your marketing plan.”
“To be honest I haven’t had much of a chance to think about that. Between writing and my business…
“I’m sorry. The manuscript reads well but it’s not our kind of project right now. Come back to me with a platform and a plan and maybe we can revisit things.”
Before the Internet, these conversations quashed millions of manuscripts. But thanks to the advent of print-on-demand (POD) companies like Lulu.com, small business owners with something to say no longer have to guarantee traditional publishers a certain number of sales to get their books in print.
Freelance writer and communications instructor Paul Lima was asked to guarantee 2,000 sales of his “how-to” writing book. No guarantee, no publishing deal.
Fortunately, he discovered Lulu. And now he’s selling his writing book to two university continuing education departments. In addition, his second book, a “how-to” guide to writing media releases, has been retained by a PR website, and a third on boosting search engine results is selling nicely to small business owners.
“I am not a famous author, but I am making money and I like the feeling of independence that I have,” Lima says.
Kudos to Paul Lima and all the other small business owners out there who are using technology to self-publish and sell their works through websites and seminars. You’ll still most likely need a publisher to get national distribution through bookstores. But you can certainly go the self-publishing route as a means of promoting yourself and your business while building a platform for future publications.
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