Can we be real for a second? You can have the greatest story this side of the Mississippi, but if you’re not treating your self-publishing journey like a full-blown business venture, you might just be stuck in neutral while others are zooming past to the bestseller list. I’ve met so many talented authors with heart, hustle, and a head full of brilliant ideas—but their dreams stall out somewhere between “The End” and “Add to Cart.”
“Why? Because they skip the ‘business hat’. They get so wrapped up in the “author” identity, they forget they’re also the CEO, marketing department, art director, PR rep, and yes—coffee-fetcher. (Hey, we all know caffeine is part of the process.)”
So, I’m here—as your quirky bookpreneur friend—to shake things up and walk you through what it really takes to go from finished manuscript to bestselling self-published book. Spoiler Alert!: It’s not magic. It’s MINDSET + METHOD. Let’s get started!
1. Research Like Your Royalties Depend on It (Because They Do)
BEFORE you hit that publish button, ask yourself: Have I even looked at what’s out there in my genre? Do you know what the bestseller’s covers look like? How many pages are they? What readers love—or hate—in the reviews?
This isn’t about copying. It’s about understanding the sandbox you’re playing in. Tools like KDPRocket (now Publisher Rocket) are your best friend. They tell you exactly which keywords and categories are hot, how competitive they are, and how many books it’ll take to hit #1. It’s like GPS for your publishing success. I talk a lot about this tool in my YouTube Podcast “The Self-Publishing Corner”.
2. Your Cover Matters More Than Your Cousin’s Opinion
Listen, your book cover isn’t just a pretty picture—it’s your first impression to the world, your handshake, your eyebrow raise across the bookstore. It needs to scream, “Pick me up!” not “I let my neighbor’s kid design this in PowerPoint.”
Invest in a professional. Or at the very least, use templates and tools that reflect today’s market standards. Would you show up to a job interview in pajama pants? No? Then don’t dress your book like one.
3. Plan Events Like a Boss
Don’t wait for Oprah’s Book Club to call. (But if she does, please tell her I said hey!) Create your OWN buzz. When I released a cat-themed cozy mystery book, I didn’t just meow into the void. I set up an event with local cat shelters, invited pet lovers, and made it a ‘purr-fect’ success.
You’ve heard of thinking ‘outside the box’, right? Well, try to think outside the bookstore. Partner with nonprofits, schools, niche groups, or anyone aligned with your book’s theme. If your book is about food, host a reading at a local café. If it’s a romance, pitch to a wine bar. Get creative, get social, and get your book into the hands of readers. Need help brainstorming the perfect venue or email pitch? Let AI tools like ChatGPT help you write a compelling event invite or press release. It’s like having a PR intern who never sleeps.
Get creative, get social, and get your book into hands.
4. Set Up Your Author HQ
You need a digital home. That means a website with your name, your books, your contact info, and a press kit that screams “professional author” not “confused hobbyist.” If possible, grab a website domain with yourname.com.
Also, your email should not be hotmama46@yahoo.com. (Bless your heart if it is—but get a domain-based email like info@YourAuthorName.com.) Add a phone number, bio, headshot, and links to all your buy pages. Bonus points if you’ve got a media kit with your book cover, description, talking points, and sample interview questions.
This is what the pros do. And guess what? You’re a pro now, too.
5. Follow a Process, Not a Panic Attack
I’ve shared my full self-publishing process in workshops and coaching sessions, and the #1 feedback I get is: “I didn’t realize how much work went into this process!” Yep. It’s NOT just write and upload. From editing and formatting to ISBN registration and ARC distribution, every phase should be handled with care, professionalism, and integrity.
If you’re wingin’ it, you’re not running a business. You’re playing darts blindfolded. Use project management tools like Trello, or even AI checklists generated with ChatGPT, to keep your launch on track. No more waking up at 3am wondering, “Did I buy my ISBN?”
Coming Soon: Your One-Stop Publishing Shop!
I’m so excited to announce that I’m launching a brand-new website just for indie authors like YOU. Whether you need editing, design, coaching, or just a pep talk and a checklist, it’ll all be under one roof. Because we’re not just writers anymore—we’re literary entrepreneurs. Stay up-to-date by signing up for our newsletter here on the website.
So, chin up, y’all. Polish that manuscript, straighten your crown, and start treating your book like the business it was born to be. You’ve got this—and I’ve got your back.
Until next time…
About the Author
Cheryl Bannerman is a prolific and versatile author with a portfolio of ten published works across various genres including mystery novels and a children’s book. In 2018, she received the prestigious 2018 Book Excellence Award for her poetry collection, Words Never Spoken. In 2020, Bannerman’s book, Black Child to Black Woman: An African-American Woman Coming-of-Age Story, garnered acclaim, winning the Best Books Award in African American fiction and the Reader’s Favorite International Book Award Contest in Urban Fiction in 2021.
Readers can connect with Bannerman, purchase signed copies of her books, and subscribe to her newsletter through her website, www.bannermanbooks.com. When she is not writing for her next book, Bannerman is running her 29-year-old virtual B2B Training and Development company based out of her Orlando, Florida home.
