How to Crowdfund Your Book

For the creative writer, there is perhaps no more satisfying feeling in the world than finishing a manuscript. You’ve poured endless amounts of time, creativity and soul into these pages, and you’re keen to share the ideas with the world.

While writing a book is certainly not easy, many writers are surprised to find that getting a book published is much more challenging and laborious than putting pen to paper. 

In the competitive world of traditional publishing, many fantastic books go unrecognized and unpublished. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

For the creative writer, there is perhaps no more satisfying feeling in the world than finishing a manuscript. You’ve poured endless amounts of time, creativity, and soul into these pages, and you’re keen to share the ideas with the world.

Chances are, you’re like the many authors out there who don’t have a huge amount of disposable income to spend on a high-quality, self-published novel. Costs can easily reach $10,000 for editing alone, while an original, bespoke cover can cost upwards of $15,000.

However, before you give up and throw your manuscript in the trash, know that there is another path forward, one that has helped hundreds of writers to kickstart their careers: crowdfunding your book. 

Get your crowdfunding strategy right, and you’ll be well on your way to making a career out of writing. 

How Does Crowdfunding Work for Authors? 

Crowdfunding is an increasingly popular practice in which individuals or groups fund a project or venture through internet donations received over the internet. Typically, a large number of people will contribute a small amount to a project. It’s very much a game of strength in numbers. 

There are three elements to crowdfunding:

  • The creator: The author (you), who is looking for funding to get their novel published.
  • The supporter: The donators on the crowdfunding platform who choose to donate to your cause.
  • The platform: The website where the exchanges between creator and supporter take place.

For writers, crowdfunding involves determining how much money you will need to self-publish your book. You then share this amount on a crowdfunding platform. On your dedicated page, you’ll also explain what your book is about, why people should donate and what they’ll get in return – such as a signed copy of your book or other reward.  

When you hit your goal total, the platform releases your funds to you, and you can start the self-publishing process. ebook

The Benefits of Crowdfunding 

Crowdfunding unlocks a range of unique opportunities for authors, beyond financial gain. Benefits include: 

  • Building a loyal fanbase, invested in the journey of your book.
  • Gaining deep insights into your target audience.
  • Creating buzz around your novel before it’s published; it’s free marketing!  
  • Collecting pre-orders.
  • Building your personal brand as an author, which is excellent if you plan to write multiple novels.

Six Steps to Success

So, by now, you’re probably keen to go down the crowdfunding route. Maybe you’ve even already set up your Fundly account. To make sure your campaign is a success, here’s seven essential steps to follow: 

  1. Know the Numbers and Set Specific Goals

Give your funders an accurate, specific total with details on what your desired amount will cover. Consider things like writing software, professional editing, cover art design, and other expenses like marketing tactics, funding and advertising. 

Listing out the cost for each of these factors will build trust with your audience, so they don’t think you’re trying to scam them. Do you research for each aspect of the publishing process, too. Prices vary greatly, and while we don’t recommend going for the cheapest option out there, a book that costs $100,000 to publish may raise suspicion about your intentions. 

  1. Start With What You Know

You’ll be surprised by how much support friends, families and acquaintances will offer you for your artistic endeavors. To start with, reach out to those close to you and let them know about your crowdfunding page. These people are likely to be your earliest supporters. 

Don’t be afraid of asking people you know to share your page and spread the world on social media. This will help you to create buzz and reach new audiences organically. 

  1. Get Social

Another great way to spread the word about your crowdfunding page is through social media. Many writers take to Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, using hashtags and community-based pages to raise their profile. 

For example, Fundly enables you to integrate your donation form into Facebook. This means you can raise donations directly within Facebook – no links or redirects – for a seamless experience. 

  1. Make Donating a Win-Win

While some people will donate to your campaign simply because they want to, many people need to be enticed. Some great tactics to use include:

  • Listing individuals’ names on your website if they donate $10
  • Sending a hardback copy of the novel to people who donate $25
  • Publishing the names of people who donated over $50 
  • Giving a special signed copy to those who give $75 and over, along with publishing their names in the book

This strategy will make your donors feel part of something, and excited to receive their first copy of your novel.

  1. Keep Your Funders in the Know About Your Journey

Starting a blog is a great way to build connections with your readers. You can keep them informed about critical milestones in your fundraising journey and the publishing process. Blogs are also a great place to share news about events and new novels. To publicize your blog, use a mixture of direct mail and social media.

  1. Express Your Thanks

When you reach your total, it’s crucial to follow up on the promises you made to your donors and offer them sincere appreciation for their support and help. You can do this, again, through your blog and direct mail system. This follow-up is also a great way to share news about your upcoming publishing date.

Don’t Let Your Masterpiece Gather Dust!

While it can be daunting to take a leap onto the internet and start a crowdfund, the payout can be enormous. Crowdfunding is truly an amazing way not only to self-publish your book, but to engage with fans, build a sense of community and create anticipation for your future novels.

Writing and Creating an Ebook: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Create a Successful Ebook: A Step-by-Step Guide for Writers

By Warren Whitlock, Best Seller Authors

I have been I have creating books and other media for decades. I’ve owned a publishing company and produced dozens of hit books, courses, podcasts and video. Many times, I have help a subject matter expert go from zero recognition to best-selling author.

You can spend years writing a great book though I’ve found that the best way to start is to get an ebook written and published quickly, so I put together a comprehensive guide to help aspiring writers and ebook creators.

A Checklist of Ideas for Aspiring Ebook Creators

Here is a checklist of ideas to keep in mind when creating an ebook:

I. Planning and Preparation

  • Identify your target audience and their needs
  • Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that aligns with your expertise
  • Conduct research to gather information and insights on your chosen topic
  • Create an outline or table of contents to guide your writing process

II. Writing and Formatting

  • Write clear and concise content that is easy to read and understand
  • Use subheadings, bullet points, and numbered lists to break up text and make it scannable
  • Choose a font and formatting style that is consistent throughout the ebook
  • Incorporate visuals such as images, infographics, and charts to add visual interest

III. Design and Layout

  • Use an ebook template or hire a designer to create a professional and visually appealing layout
  • Optimize the ebook for mobile devices by choosing a responsive design
  • Use call-to-actions (CTAs) to encourage readers to take action or engage with your brand

IV. Promotion and Marketing

  • Use SEO keywords and meta descriptions to optimize your ebook for search engines
  • Leverage social media platforms to promote your ebook and engage with your audience
  • Consider reaching out to influencers or experts in your industry to help promote your ebook
  • Offer a free chapter or excerpt to entice readers to purchase or download the full ebook

V. Publishing and Distribution

  • Choose a platform to publish and distribute your ebook, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, iBooks, or your own website
  • Consider offering your ebook in multiple formats, such as PDF, EPUB, and MOBI
  • Monitor and analyze sales and downloads to determine the success of your ebook and make any necessary adjustments

Example: Let’s say you are an expert in creative nonfiction and want to write an ebook on the topic. You can start by identifying your target audience, such as aspiring writers or readers who enjoy nonfiction. Next, you can conduct research on the topic and create an outline to guide your writing process. When writing the ebook, you can use subheadings and bullet points to make it scannable and easy to read. You can also incorporate visuals such as images and infographics to add visual interest. Finally, you can choose a platform to publish and distribute your ebook, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or your own website.

Read our popular ebook about writing an ebook for free. Just click on the cover and download.

VI. Repurpose and Reuse

  • Repurpose your ebook content into blog posts, social media posts, or other types of content
  • Use the insights and feedback from readers to update and improve your ebook in future editions
  • Create a series of ebooks on related topics to build your brand and establish yourself as an expert in your field

VII. Legal and Copyright Considerations

  • Ensure that your ebook is legally compliant by following copyright laws and obtain necessary permissions
  • Protect your intellectual property by registering your ebook with the US Copyright Office or similar agencies in other countries
  • Include disclaimers and disclosures as necessary to protect yourself and your readers

By following these tips and best practices, aspiring writers and ebook creators can create a successful and impactful ebook that resonates with their target audience. You can get tons of free when you join our community of authors at BestSellerAuthors.com. Remember to focus on providing value to your readers, and to continuously iterate and improve your ebook to ensure its success. Happy writing!

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The Power of MAA: How to Optimize Your Marketing Efforts

by Warren Whitlock

Warren Whitlock Learning MAA from Dennis Yu

As a digital marketer, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of creating new campaigns and content. However, if you’re not optimizing your efforts, you could be wasting time and money. That’s where the Blitzmetric MAA (Metric, Analysis, Action) process comes in. By following this framework, you can collect and analyze data to make informed decisions and take action to improve your marketing performance.

Metric: Collecting Vitals

The first step in the MAA process is to collect metrics, or vitals, that give you an accurate picture of your marketing performance. This could include data on website traffic, ad impressions, clicks, conversions, and more. In the transcript, Dennis Yu and his team collect metrics on their Google Ads spending, such as how much they spend per day, the number of impressions and clicks, and the number of conversions.

Analysis: Diagnosis and Insights

Once you’ve collected your metrics, it’s time to analyze the data to gain insights and diagnose any issues. This is where you can really dig into the data and see what’s working and what’s not. In the transcript, Dennis Yu and his team analyze their Google Ads spending and determine which keywords are driving the most traffic and conversions. They also identify the quality of their leads and determine which campaigns are performing best.

Action: Improving Performance

The final step in the MAA process is to take action to improve your marketing performance. This could mean tweaking campaigns, adjusting your targeting, or improving your content. In the transcript, Dennis Yu and his team discuss how they can optimize their campaigns to target high-quality leads and improve their ROI. They also talk about the importance of having a clear strategy and understanding your target audience.

Why MAA is Important

By following the MAA process, you can make data-driven decisions that improve your marketing performance and ultimately drive more revenue for your business. Without a clear understanding of your metrics and analysis, it’s difficult to know what’s working and what’s not. And without taking action to improve, you’re not making the most of your marketing efforts.

Conclusion

The MAA process is a powerful tool for any digital marketer looking to optimize their marketing efforts. By collecting metrics, analyzing data, and taking action to improve performance, you can make informed decisions that drive results. So next time you’re creating a new campaign or content, remember to follow the MAA process and watch your marketing performance soar.

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