| 1) Define your dream. What do you want to do | | | | book). How much can you realistically spend and |
| and how will you accomplish it? What is your | | | | still earn a profit? |
| personal definition of success? | | | | 9) Choose a name for your company that |
| 2) Examine your book with an open mind and | | | | reflects the image you want to convey. |
| critical eyes. What are its strengths, limitations, | | | | 10) Register your domain name to lock in your |
| and potential? | | | | spot on the internet. |
| 3) Understand who your reading market is and | | | | 11) Buy your ISBNs. A block of ten will save you |
| what they need from your book. | | | | money in the long run. |
| 4) Write down your Resources (money, | | | | 12) Decide your business structure: Sole |
| knowledge, equipment, etc), Abilities (what you | | | | Proprietor, Partnership or Corporation? |
| know and who you are), and Limitations (time, | | | | 13) File the paperwork: Business License, Resale |
| money, knowledge, etc). How will you mange | | | | License, DBA, etc... |
| them? | | | | 14) Open a Business Checking Account. Keep |
| 5) Find people who can help you. No one can do it | | | | your business and personal money separate! |
| all. (book designer, editor, proof reader, book | | | | 15) Create a Logo for your business. |
| keeper, CPA, etc...) | | | | 16) Make a Marketing Plan for your book, including |
| 6) Study the process of creating and publishing a | | | | a budget. |
| book! The more you know the more effective | | | | 17) Explore printing options (digital or offset?) |
| you will be and the better your book will sell. | | | | 18) Have your book professionally edited! |
| 7) Join a Publishing Association, such as | | | | 19) Find a designer who does books. Book design, |
| Independent Book Publishers Association or Small | | | | including cover design, is different from other |
| Publishers Association of America. Membership can | | | | types of design. |
| give you discounts on printing and marketing, as | | | | 20) Keep meticulous records of all your start-up |
| well as support from experts. | | | | expenses to make life easier at tax time. |
| 8) Make a budget for your business (not just the | | | | |