Have you ever wondered why despite producing numerous self-published books, they fail to generate sales? Perhaps the issue lies not in the number of books published but rather in the quality. It’s understandable that as a newcomer to self-publishing, you may be hesitant to invest a substantial amount of money into a book before seeing returns. However, continue reading to understand why this approach may not be ideal.
Many publishing gurus emphasize that quality holds greater importance than quantity when it comes to self-publishing. Reflecting on my own experience with my first book, I realize the truth in this advice and regret not listening to these gurus. Initially, I had hoped to strike luck by producing a cheaply made book to generate a modest income. However, I discovered that my approach yielded no results whatsoever.
It became evident that all the time I had wasted trying to cut corners and be frugal in my self-publishing journey was ultimately wasted. This experience serves as a reminder that starting with a high-quality book is far more advisable than attempting to save costs, as being cheap in self-publishing seldom leads to desirable results.
Why is High-Quality Literature Important?
Creating a high-quality book has its advantages, even if it doesn’t immediately achieve the desired sales target. With a well-crafted book, you gain valuable insights into areas that need improvement, bringing you closer to your target.
On the other hand, if you opt for a cheaply made book that fails to sell, you’re left without a clear starting point to address the underlying issues. Your book becomes entangled in a web of uncertainties, making it challenging to discern what went wrong and how to enhance your sales with future books. By prioritizing quality over quantity, you increase your chances of avoiding such setbacks and ensure that each subsequent endeavor brings you closer to achieving your goals.
Another significant drawback of producing cheaply made books is the increased risk of someone copying your ideas. If your book finds success within a niche, it becomes easier for others to replicate your concept and create a better version.
Since your book’s quality was subpar from the start, competitors can surpass it with minimal effort. As a result, they might capture your market share, leaving your once-promising book to collect dust. Prioritizing quality from the outset is essential to protect your ideas and maintain a competitive edge.
My First Self-Published Book
For my first book, I tried to cut costs by hiring the cheapest editor, and illustrator I could find on Fiverr. I planned to quickly produce many inexpensive books and become a mass producer. I spent about $170 on my first children’s book. I was inspired by a guest on a YouTube channel who claimed to make over $30,000 a month from a book that cost less than $300 to produce. However, I soon realized that the self-publishing market had become much more competitive than when he started.
Additionally, due to inflation and the impact of COVID, it became impossible to produce a good children’s book for $300 or less, especially when hiring a good illustrator. However, one possible solution would be to illustrate the book yourself if you possess artistic skills.
I quickly realized that most of the other books in my niche had much higher-quality illustrations than mine, and it was a humbling lesson. I felt embarrassed, knowing I had taken shortcuts, and the difference was noticeable—at least to me. I decided not to remove my book from Amazon, as it serves as a reminder that cutting corners in publishing, especially with illustrations, isn’t the best idea.
This is particularly true for children’s books, where visuals are the most important. While I still believe the storyline is strong, I wish the illustrations were more engaging. They lack the colorful and vibrant appeal seen in other children’s books, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Does Running Ads on Amazon Help?
Running ads on KDP won’t be effective if your book cover isn’t eye-catching. That’s why it’s crucial to invest in a good cover design and avoid being cheap. After all, the cover is the first thing that everyone sees when they see your book.
I tried running multiple ads using KDP and other websites, but despite getting a lot of impressions, I didn’t receive any clicks. It made me realize that the main reason for this problem was likely my book cover. I contemplated going back to my illustrator and asking for changes, but I knew it might not go over well with them, telling them their illustration was bad and needed to be changed.
So, I decided to hire a different illustrator to redo the cover, and the result was completely off because it’s nearly impossible for one illustrator to replicate another’s work. The new cover didn’t match the content inside the book, and I wasn’t sure if people buying the book would appreciate having a cover that looked different from my interior. As a result, I had no choice but to stick with the cover I already had, at least for now.
Conclusion
It’s important to prioritize high quality right from the start, even if it’s your first time self-publishing. Strive to create the best and highest quality book possible. Settling for a low-quality book only results in wasted time, as you won’t learn much from such a low starting point. I hope that reading this will inspire you to reconsider producing low-quality books and instead encourage you to aim for the highest quality book possible.
