Good day, kind-hearted souls! I am here to share a story that started with enthusiasm, then turned into resignation and doubt. My name is Joseph, and I am turning to you with a heartfelt plea to help me get my dream and turn it into a reality.
How did it start my selfpublishing bussines?
During the pandemic ( 2021 i think) , I didn't have much work to do at the hostel I was working at the time. Since I didn't want to just waste my time, I was looking for ways to make money "on the side".
I found videos on how to start selling books through Amazon KDP. I was excited. My beginnings were tough, I was learning how to do the interiors of simple books, looking for free images to use for commerce, and watching a lot of YouTube videos.
It took me about a month to make my first "book" notebook in Canva. How proud I was of myself. I was looking forward to.
My second book went much easier to do in a few days I had another book. I made about 50 books in a year.
Awakening to reality
The enthusiasm to make books kept me going for about a year. I did at least one book every week, learning new things, improving.
I ventured into more complicated books like fitness diaries...
But something happened that I didn't expect...
I haven't sold a single book in a year! I was sad and wanted to give up. I was almost in tears. So much effort, so much time spent and not one book sold!
I started to figure out what could be the problem - the title of my books, or the type of book, or too much competition?
I couldn't move forward.
I gave up...
Then you said enough! I guess I'm not up to it and after 13 months he stopped making books. There was no point.
Until I got an email from Amazon out of the blue.
Hello, within 7 days we'll credit your account with the sales commission...
My heart was racing, I was excited like a little kid. I jumped up I shouted "finally".
I found out which book had sold and I was surprised, it was a book I didn't think was that good, it was too easy. White background, one big icon and text.
Here is my first sold book:
A month later I sold another book which was meant as a funny gift.
How did it develop further and how did I learn from it?
In 2021 I sold 0 books, in 2022 it was 2 books and so far this year it's 4.
I know it's very few.
I started looking at my old books and redoing the ones that had poor quality covers. I've found that to be my weakness, as well as name dropping and creating ads on Amazon.
I need help or I'll stay pretty much in place for years to come.
My vision and how i use money
If I want to start my own publishing house I need help, and most of the time it's not free. Everyone needs to pay the bills.
I want to hire through Fiverr or Upwork:
2 graphic designers for book covers
1 person for Amazon ads
1 person for proofreading
I'll be focusing on genres of books I've already sold.
Later on when I start doing well I want to have long term collaborators - my own small business.
Why do I want to have my own company?
As a kid, I wanted to run a business but I was very scared. I didn't believe in myself.
After 30 30s, I realized how fast time goes by and that I don't want to just be an employee all my life, jumping at the whistle of my boss.
I want freedom, I want to pursue my hobbies while doing what I enjoy. Money is the way to freedom unless it controls a person. I don't want to make millions and rip people off, I want to give smart people the opportunity to make money and complement each other.
Here's an excerpt from a few of my books...
PS: I will list each supporter in my new books in a special section.
Ugh I really need graphic designers :)
