Laura has just published her first novel, All That Glitters, which is available for preview or purchase on Amazon and Smashwords.
I've enjoyed following Laura's writing journey on Twitter and Facebook, and in the post below, she shares with us what she has learned about finding success in the self-publishing world.
Think Like a Boss
"The greatest reward in becoming a millionaire is not the amount of money that you earn. It is the kind of person that you have to become to become a millionaire in the first place." - Jim Rohn
Do you have management potential?
More and more writers - both new and experienced - are discovering the world of self-publishing. It's an equal-opportunity venture. Everybody starts from the same place, with the same available resources. And yet, while some succeed, others fail. Why?
Look at those who make it, and you'll notice they all have something in common: they've figured out how to think like a boss.
Self-publishing is an entrepreneurial venture. A lot of people- writers especially- forget this. After all, you've written a book! The hard part's done, right? Now it's just a simple matter of slapping on a cover and tossing it up on Amazon.
If this is your attitude, I humbly suggest you not quit your day job.
It takes work to succeed at self-publishing. But more, it takes a certain frame of mind. I've narrowed down a few qualities to look for and cultivate. Remember: you're an entrepreneur. It's time to start thinking like one.
Know what you're selling. You're a brand now. Weird concept, right? But it's true. And that means you need a clear idea of just what that brand is. When you're starting out, focusing your creative energies on a specific genre or style of writing will help build recognition and a reader base. Remember: you can always branch out later.
Be professional. If you want people to take you seriously, you have to take yourself seriously first. That doesn't mean never having fun. It means consistently putting out clean, well-written, quality work. Have trouble in certain areas- grammar, plot structure, characterization, dialogue? Put the time and effort into honing your skill. The true mark of a professional is they never stop trying to improve.
Aim high. Oftentimes, we are the last people to know what we're capable of. Don't hamstring yourself at the outset. Dream big. Shoot for the stratosphere. Bite off more than you think you can chew. I guarantee you'll surprise yourself.
Expect success. Live your life like you're already the person you want to be. It may sound New Age-y, but it's true: positive energy attracts positive energy. You're already a success, even if no one realizes it yet but you.
Don't give up. You've doubtless heard this one before, but it never stops being true. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people isn't how many times they've succeeded. It's how many times they've tried again after failing.
Stay grounded. It is so easy to get swallowed by your own hype, especially when the positive reviews start coming in. Don't fall into this trap! Give yourself permission to be excited and proud- you've earned it. Do a little dance. Have a good laugh. Have a good cry. Then get back to work.
If you're already doing any of these, you're ahead of the game. Keep on keeping on. If you're not, don't despair. All of these qualities can be learned. But just because you can learn to be an entrepreneur doesn't necessarily mean you should, or will want to. Not everyone wants to play the Puppet-master It's a stupid amount of work, and the pressure is huge. There are many roads to success. If self-publishing isn't yours, don't worry. You'll find another.
If, however, you decide you are that person, welcome to the club! As many difficulties as there are, there are benefits too. Creative control. Deciding for yourself what your career will look like. The satisfaction that comes from making good on your own. So dig deep. Work hard. Then enjoy the rewards.
It's good to be the boss.
She discovered her love of storytelling as a child, after successfully blaming a broken vase on her younger brother. A functioning cynic, she writes tender love stories about tough people.
You can visit Laura's website and follow her on Twitter @writermama for clever quips and inspiration. Laura's blog is Writing in the Night.
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