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A thread on free resources for authors.
When I started self-publishing, I was dumb about money.
"Advertise!" everyone said.
"Pay for this webinar/conference/resource!"
There's a ton of businesses out there making money off of clueless newbie authors.
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When I started self-publishing, I was dumb about money.
"Advertise!" everyone said.
"Pay for this webinar/conference/resource!"
There's a ton of businesses out there making money off of clueless newbie authors.
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In this thread, I will highlight resources that are either free, or worth spending money on. The more money you keep, the sooner you profit!
First off: writing tools. Even if you prefer pen and paper, you eventually need to move that work into a digital environment.
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First off: writing tools. Even if you prefer pen and paper, you eventually need to move that work into a digital environment.
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Free options include:
- Google Suite
- Microsoft 365 Online
Cheap option: Scrivener
Let's take a closer look.
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- Google Suite
- Microsoft 365 Online
Cheap option: Scrivener
Let's take a closer look.
3/?
Google Suite: Free*
https://www.google.com/docs/about/
$ upgrade: Yes
Includes: Email, Docs, Online Storage.
Use Google Docs, which is part of the suite, to draft and edit.
Great for access on multiple devices & organizing projects. I find the formatting options lacking.
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https://www.google.com/docs/about/
$ upgrade: Yes
Includes: Email, Docs, Online Storage.
Use Google Docs, which is part of the suite, to draft and edit.
Great for access on multiple devices & organizing projects. I find the formatting options lacking.
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Microsoft Office 365
Free*
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web
Access Word online for free from any device.
You will want to use the Track Changes functionality when working with an editor.
You have to pay to install Office on your computer, but I find the cloud version works fine.
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Free*
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web
Access Word online for free from any device.
You will want to use the Track Changes functionality when working with an editor.
You have to pay to install Office on your computer, but I find the cloud version works fine.
5/?
Scrivener: $49
https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener
If you work from a single device and want to be able to storyboard, organize notes, and format your document for publication, Scrivener is a worthwhile investment. It is not critical-try it for 30 days to see if you like it.
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https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener
If you work from a single device and want to be able to storyboard, organize notes, and format your document for publication, Scrivener is a worthwhile investment. It is not critical-try it for 30 days to see if you like it.
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Next up: websites.
I'll assume you have minimal tech skills. If you know how to build websites, this section won't help you.
I recommend Wordpress. If you have no skills whatsoever, http://Wordpress.com will set you up with a custom domain for a minimal fee.
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I'll assume you have minimal tech skills. If you know how to build websites, this section won't help you.
I recommend Wordpress. If you have no skills whatsoever, http://Wordpress.com will set you up with a custom domain for a minimal fee.
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If you have tech skills, http://Wordpress.ORG is the better bet. You'll get bang for your buck and the option to build out more functionality as your author career grows.
You do not need to spend thousands of dollars on a custom website early in your author career.
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You do not need to spend thousands of dollars on a custom website early in your author career.
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Next up: Newsletters
You absolutely should have a newsletter starting from day one. All of the options below offer a free level, plus a paid upgrade. I personally use Mailerlite.
https://mybookcave.com/authorpost/15-reasons-why-you-need-an-author-newsletter/
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You absolutely should have a newsletter starting from day one. All of the options below offer a free level, plus a paid upgrade. I personally use Mailerlite.
https://mybookcave.com/authorpost/15-reasons-why-you-need-an-author-newsletter/
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Mailchimp: 2,000 contacts for FREE
https://mailchimp.com/pricing/
Pros: HTML formatting, embeddable popup forms, GDPR compliance.
Cons: Gets very expensive once you pass the free contacts limit.
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https://mailchimp.com/pricing/
Pros: HTML formatting, embeddable popup forms, GDPR compliance.
Cons: Gets very expensive once you pass the free contacts limit.
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Mailerlite: 1,000 contacts for FREE
https://www.mailerlite.com/pricing
Pros: Easy-to-use interface, embeddable popup forms, GDPR compliance. Pricing is
Cons: Segmentation functionality is confusing.
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https://www.mailerlite.com/pricing
Pros: Easy-to-use interface, embeddable popup forms, GDPR compliance. Pricing is
Cons: Segmentation functionality is confusing.
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SendFox: Start for free, $49 one-time payment for up to 50k subscribers
https://sendfox.com/pricing
Pros: Cost, obviously. For an author looking to send a simple email newsletter, this is a great tool.
Cons: Lack of formatting & audience segmentation.
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https://sendfox.com/pricing
Pros: Cost, obviously. For an author looking to send a simple email newsletter, this is a great tool.
Cons: Lack of formatting & audience segmentation.
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Moving on to: Advertising.
What works will depend on your genre, your cover, your blurb, etc.
Advertising is the biggest way to blow a hole in your budget. Here's what I've found works pretty consistently.
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What works will depend on your genre, your cover, your blurb, etc.
Advertising is the biggest way to blow a hole in your budget. Here's what I've found works pretty consistently.
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Word of mouth: FREE
Giving away free copies of your book is the best way to advertise. You can do this through review sites, giveaways, ARC teams, and limited-time promotions.
Reviewers are your friends. Treat them well.
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Giving away free copies of your book is the best way to advertise. You can do this through review sites, giveaways, ARC teams, and limited-time promotions.
Reviewers are your friends. Treat them well.
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Multi-author promotions:
I've had the most success with Booksweeps:
https://www.booksweeps.com/authors/join-a-promo
This is a great way to build up that email newsletter subscriber list. Unfortunately, there's no free option. But it is money worth spending if you can.
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I've had the most success with Booksweeps:
https://www.booksweeps.com/authors/join-a-promo
This is a great way to build up that email newsletter subscriber list. Unfortunately, there's no free option. But it is money worth spending if you can.
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Facebook ads: They work but $$$
I've never had a break-even ad campaign on this platform. I know many larger authors have excellent returns, but my experience has been that Facebook ads are overhyped relative to small author's returns.
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I've never had a break-even ad campaign on this platform. I know many larger authors have excellent returns, but my experience has been that Facebook ads are overhyped relative to small author's returns.
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Amazon ads: Worth the $
Start small, around $2 a day. Use a keyword list of 200+ words or phrases to do manual targeting.
DO NOT use the automated targeting.
More on how to make this work for you here:
https://selfpublishingformula.com/episode-177/
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Start small, around $2 a day. Use a keyword list of 200+ words or phrases to do manual targeting.
DO NOT use the automated targeting.
More on how to make this work for you here:
https://selfpublishingformula.com/episode-177/
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Newsletters: they work and are the most cost-effective way to get your book in front of readers. Look for swap opportunities through Facebook groups, Bookclicker and networking. A few dollars spent on booking promo spots can pay off, but you can also do this for free.
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For contemporary releases, I participate in Anita Gray's Get That Book joint promo group:
https://www.anitagrayauthor.com/getthatbook
It's completely free to register and use.
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https://www.anitagrayauthor.com/getthatbook
It's completely free to register and use.
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I will probably come back to this thread and add to it.
Authors: what are free and cheap resources that you find useful for writing or marketing? Please share!
Authors: what are free and cheap resources that you find useful for writing or marketing? Please share!
