Ep39: SIX Publishing Industry MYTHS Stopping You Writing Your Book

[00:00:00] I'm back for another episode. And today I want to talk about the myths inside the publishing industry that we have before I started writing my books. I thought that there was no way that I could write and publish a book, let alone a best-selling book. But the more I researched, the more I found out that. A book is possible.

[00:00:19] And the more books I wrote, the more I believe that every business owner, every professional should write a book, should tell their story and should use their expertise to make an impact in their industry.

[00:00:31] So in this episode, I'm going to go over six myths inside the publishing industry.

[00:00:36] And these are the myths that I had to shut up in my mind that stopped me from actually writing my first book all those years ago.

[00:00:43] So let's get into myth. Number one and myth number one is that traditional publishing is the only way to go.

[00:00:50] At belief comes from what we previously know and what we previously connected to and what we previously been told. But over the years, the publishing industry has changed tremendously and traditional publishing. It still exists, but there's a lot more people now writing books and a lot more people are self publishing, their books, and a lot more people are seeking out hybrid publishers as well.

[00:01:15] Now while traditional publishing does have its merits.

[00:01:19] It's not the only way to success. It's not the only way to get your book published. In fact, I've self-published and so publishing offers really incredible flexibility and control. When I wrote published impact, I chose the self publishing route because I wanted full creative control in my book and full creative control in my message to reach the audience in the way I envisioned. And that's why I created this podcast.

[00:01:43] That's why I wrote my book. published impact. That's why I started a book coaching business, because I want to give at business owners, people who have a story to tell in a problem to solve. I want to give them a platform in a way that is easily effective to write and publish their book without having to go to so many different people , without having to write their book, go to an editor. I want to make sure that they can gain full creative control inside their book whilst benefiting from all of the services.

[00:02:11] So that is the first myth about traditional publishing. It is not your only pathway. Myth number two. Is self publishing books are of poor quality. Now of course, it's going to be poor quality. If you are not going to invest in the process, because you could skip a couple of things you could skip. Professional editing. You could skip a cover designer. You could skip formatting. And that could be the make or break between whether your book is highly professional. Or the complete opposite.

[00:02:40] And those are the three non-negotiables I believe when it comes to actually getting your book high quality is to invest in an editor is to invest in a cover designer and invest in a format. And that's why insight idea to asset my book coaching program. I've got those professionals inside that program without those services, Your book is not going to be high quality.

[00:03:02] Your book is not going to be professional and it's not going to stand up against what you really want it to be. So all I would say in myth number two years it can be.

[00:03:11] professional. It can be. high quality. It just depends what you're going to invest in.

[00:03:17] And it's also how you understand the process at that step-by-step process. I map out inside my book published impact. So you can read the book and. understand what it takes to get your book written, and get your book published and get your book launched as well.

[00:03:31] Also a side note, I've invested in editors, professional editors for three of my books and they're well worth their investment. But what I also found a lot of editors from the traditional publishing houses has now moved into freelancing and there's a couple of reasons why I believe that is the case. Number one, because of the evolution inside the publishing industry with. Technology with digital media and self-publishing platforms. In higher demand. The traditional publishing services has shifted so many publishing houses have downsized their staff in order to adapt to these changes as well. There's also the flexibility and autonomy freelance editors can have in this day and age it's the work-life balance and people are looking for that work-life balance and that's what freelancing can provide people. I know my editor from publish to impact. She loves edit people's books and travel. At the same time, you can do that being a freelancer as well, especially now that there's higher demand for it. And there's also the financial incentive for freelance editors as well.

[00:04:36] They get to charge what they want. They're not bound by traditional publishing houses, wages. So that's just something to consider. If you're looking for a professional editor, there are really good ones.

[00:04:47] I've had amazing editors who really make my books look amazing. Sound amazing. And read amazing as well. And that also goes for cover designers as well. You can find awesome cover designers too. And I know the thing about the cover designing is

[00:05:03] if you want a high quality cover design, think about what your book is going to look like.

[00:05:07] You want to communicate that with your cover designer as well, because if there's one thing I've realized is. Cover designers are not mind readers.

[00:05:15] So you just want to be clear in your expectations. You don't want to invest in a cover designer and you think their quality is poor. Because you haven't communicated what it is that you are looking for in a book cover. So that was myth number three, and I hope I have shattered that for you, that self publishing books are not poor quality. It's, how you go about investing in the quality.

[00:05:35] Myth number four is publishing is expensive. Now,

[00:05:40] this isn't necessarily a myth, but it's something that I do need to bring to your attention when it comes to what you're going to be investing in. because there's many avenues towards publishing a book and it's up to you whether to decide that investment is going to

[00:05:52] be worthy or not.

[00:05:54] So, for example, you can just go ahead and self, publish a book.

[00:05:57] You can DIY it and really spend a minimal amount. You can spend a couple hundred dollars on editing. You can spend 50 bucks on a cover designer and. What does that get you? Does that get you that high quality product that you might want? Some might want it some may not, but what is it that you want out of a book? Another option is you can trade your time. to crafting a brute proposal and. Finding an agent to try and secure a book publishing deal, where you get an advance from the publisher.

[00:06:24] So you may not be investing money in this book, but you will be investing a lot of time and that's before you even actually start writing your book as well.

[00:06:34] And. Like I said, publishing your book as a traditional publisher can take 18 to 24 months. That's if you secure a publishing deal and. it's very rare for that to happen. Unless you've got a huge following, unless it makes sense to that publisher. All there's the other option of a hybrid publisher. Where you pay an upfront cost and.

[00:06:55] the publisher will provide. Editing services, cover design services, formatting surfaces. Is that investment worth it to you? Is that an experience that you want to be part of where you might be contracted and. bound by their. Royalty rates as well.

[00:07:11] And then there's the other side, which in my program idea to asset, I coach people through the actual process of getting that book written. And then I have services inside my programs where I have professional editors, professional cover designers, formatters, all putting that book together for you. And publishing and launching that book. to position that book to make more money for you in the future. And that's why I like to coach business owners and professionals, because he feel, he's thinking if you're a business owner, you have a story to tell and you have a problem to solve.

[00:07:42] And I want you to believe that a book is possible.

[00:07:45] So when it comes to publishing is expensive, your expensive is different to someone else's expensive. What's your goals? What do you have for your book and do your research as well? Because that's really going to help. Figure out what it is you're looking for.

[00:08:00] Myth number five is marketing is the publisher's job. Now, if you get a traditional publishing deal. Traditional publishers tend to offer a standard set of marketing activities. That could include press releases. Sending out and rants read a copies to media reviewers. Listing your booking catalogs, et cetera. These type of marketing activities are foundational, but they're not often enough to drive substantial sales.

[00:08:27] This is exactly the same as hybrid publishing and is exactly the same as self publishing. The marketing is on the author because the author is the one who's written. The book. The author is the one who has the network. The author is the person who needs to push their book out. Let people know that their book is available. Collaborate with other people and bring attention to your book as well. Because it's something you should be proud of too. And marketing your book.

[00:08:54] It shouldn't feel like a choice. It should feel like something you want to show off because you've done the heavy work you've gone and written a bloody book. It's really, really powerful. And. It's a great way to leverage. Like I said before, if you are a business owner, it is a great way to leverage, raise your rates book speaking engagements. Book podcast. So many things you're capable of when it comes to being an author. And as well, you create authentic engagement. People who hear about your book. They really appreciate direct interaction, personal engagement, people just, you know, responding to comments Q and a sessions. Anything behind the scenes, sharing the process of writing a book behind the scenes. It creates an awesome fan base and it does encourage word of mouth promotion as well.

[00:09:40] So the fact that marketing is on the publisher's job. It is not because like anything you can go hire a social media manager or marketing manager to look after your business. You may find that that may not work for you. because your messaging is not coming from you. you might feel that disconnect in the messaging and your authenticity. So, if you're able to have a marketing plan for your book, when it's out. That would really help go towards. Building up that rage and that foundation for your book to make more impact, to. make more of an impact on other people's lives.

[00:10:10] All right. And finally, myth number six is my favorite one that is books. Don't make money.

[00:10:17] While it's true that not every book will become a bestseller books can be a significant revenue stream and a powerful tool for building your brand.

[00:10:26] My boot published impact. I built my business off the back of my book and that book has essentially become my brand. It's become this podcast. It's become coaching programs inside my business has become online courses that have generated revenue.

[00:10:41] And I just know for myself that there is so much more to come.

[00:10:45] And that's the exciting part. When you do publish a book, it opens your eyes. To so many more avenues that can happen when, when you become an author.

[00:10:56] It's a great conversation. Starter, letting people know that you have a published book. It's a great way to connect. It's a great way to communicate. It's a great way to help other people.

[00:11:05] Say again, it always comes back to your goals. What goals do you have for your book? . If you're writing a, how to book or a self-help book, that's gives people advice and takes action that is such a powerful tool you have, because you can use your own experiences. You can use your own personality. To build something off of the back of that and the options are endless. So I'd always recommend do your research, look at what programs suit you look at, what's being promised to you. And invest in something that's going to align with your book writing goals.

[00:11:40] So this is the end of the episode, and I hope this episode has given you a bit of more of an insight into the publishing industry, the myths that are currently existing, and I hope I've shattered them for you to really help you go ahead and start writing your book, or at least planting that seed in your mind and inquiring about how a book can be valuable to you. So if that's something you're interested in, if. you are interested in writing a book, you can hit me up in the show notes and I'll get back to you.

[00:12:08] I'll let you know how it is. You can become an author. And what that looks like for you based on your

[00:12:13] book, goes.

[00:12:14] But until the next episode, that's it for me?