How to Self-Publish!
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by Jim Daniels
- Print Format - This format includes books and manuals that you can actually hold in your hands. If you plan to go this traditional route, I can help... When I wrote my Insider Internet Marketing book I searched long and hard for software that would handle formatting the book for me. After trying numerous titles, I settled on MS Publisher. It took quite a while to design the basic layout, but it was worth it. The final layout allows me to simply click "print" and the book speeds out of my laser printer in the exact format that my binding company needs. If you would like this pre-designed 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 template, I’m more than happy to share it with my valued gazette subscribers. Just drop me a line when you need it! There’s no charge and all you need to use it is a copy of Microsoft Publisher. Beyond the content and layout of your info product, next you’ll need a cover. I had my "Insider" cover designed by www.sombergdesign.com for around $600. There are lots of designers that can tackle this for you. Search the web! Lastly, you’ll need a company to print and bind your work for you. Local companies are usually cheapest. Look in your yellow pages and start calling them!
- The benefits of publishing in print
Many customers like to actually hold something in their hands. A printed publication can sometimes give more "perceived value". Piracy is difficult, unlike that of electronic publications. - Drawbacks of publishing in print
Printing costs add up fast. Also, updates can be time-consuming and costly. Distribution can be costly because of order fulfilment labor and shipping costs. - Electronic Format
Electronic publishing is perfect for internet marketers. Multimedia projects like e-books and e-manuals are fun to create and can yield large recurring profits. A few years ago if you wanted to publish electronically you had to hire a company to do it for you. Anything other than simple text files were difficult to produce on your own. Along comes the internet... Electronic publishing is now easier than ever. There are now many simple and inexpensive ways to self-publish electronic publications. Full multimedia productions can be created inexpensively and distribution is virtually free via the World Wide Web! - Creating Your Own Multimedia Info Products
Options for creating multimedia information products are numerous. As of yet, no single format has become industry standard. Available formats include html, pdf and many more. Eventually there will be a day when a portable, multimedia device will become the standard for reading books. Imagine packing your e-book reader when you go on a trip so you can read one of the thousands of titles contained in it! Until this day comes however, self-publishers are forced to choose a publishing method for their electronic works. After researching many different options, I recommend you choose a simple program that allows you to create a single downloadable "executable" file (.exe) which can be distributed at your website. This simplifies distribution and cuts down on support issues. Any of the following e-publishing tools will do the trick...- Web Compiler: WebCompiler is an HTML Compiler that allows you to take a collection of HTML, either from a website you already have or HTML you prepare specially, and turn it into a single self-contained "executable" file. Very little technical knowledge is required to do so. (Requires Internet Explorer browser to compile and view.)
- NeoBook: NeoBook allows you to create interactive multimedia publications. It integrates text, images, sound, color and interactive controls. The final product you create with NeoBook can be exported as a ".exe" file and distributed via CD, disk or the web.
- The benefits of publishing electronically
Fast, cheap distribution. You can offer your products via the web and they are virtually free to distribute. Updates are simple and inexpensive. Distribution and order fulfilment can be automated since shipping of product is not necessary. - Drawbacks of publishing electronically
They can be more time consuming to create than a regular text book. If you’re going to create an electronic publication, you undoubtedly should use images and color, which results in a lengthier process. Piracy can run rampant. There are solutions such as password protecting via time restriction, content limitation or machine specific passwords, but nothing is fail-safe. As electronic publishing becomes more mainstream, better solutions will become more readily available.
In closing...
Thanks to the internet, info product self-publishing is now easier than ever. You are now armed with the knowledge you need to self-publish your way to fame and riches. Go forth and create! © Jim Daniels All Rights Reserved. Weekly Tips by Jim Daniels, author of Insider Internet Marketing. http://bizweb2000.com/ You can email Jim at webmaster @ bizweb2000.com
JDD Publishing’s BizWeb2000
Recently, I’ve received quite a few messages from folks trying to create their own info products. Today’s tip is dedicated to you, and anyone else who has ever considered tackling this feat. For starters, exactly what is an "Info Product?" An information product is designed to enlighten or assist a person with a particular subject. Nearly everyone is good at something. Whether it’s internet marketing, fly fishing or gardening, there are plenty of folks in the world who will pay you for your knowledge. Throughout history, information products have been a top seller and this trend is continuing in cyberspace. They range in price from free to hundreds of dollars. Do you have an info product in you? If so, read on. I’ll help you get it out! Just Start Writing... Thanks to the internet there is no need to kneel before a publisher to get your product out. After all, do you know what the word "publish" actually means?... My Webster’s Dictionary defines it as such: Publish; To make generally known, to place before the public. Hey, YOU can do that! And take it from me, the internet is the ideal place for it. Even if you were lucky enough to have your work signed by a publishing house, YOU would still be responsible for promoting it. Since you’re doing all the work anyway, why not self-publish and keep the lion’s share of the profits! So when you’re ready to create your product, just start writing! The rest may be easier than you think. Thanks to computers and the internet, info products are no longer restricted to just paper and ink. You can self-publish in many forms, including electronic media! Self-publishing options...
