The Many Hats of a Self-Published Author

There are many hats, and they all say something about you

A lot of us, when we start the road to self-publishing, know a lot about the craft of writing, but we don't realize just how many different hats we'll have to wear (or how many different types of experts we'll need to hire) to realize our dream. Below is a list of some of the jobs involved.

I made this because a lot of us, when we're working on a single step in the process, get frustrated that it's not straight forward and we can't learn it in a weekend. For example, I recently re-did the book covers for my series. I thought I could do it in a weekend or a few days. For six books. I eventually realized that when I originally hired my cover artist, I gave him a single stock photo and asked for text/color work around it. He probably spent an hour or three, and we had some back and forth over the days to get in all the tweaks. I was trying to create art from multiple stock photos (something my artist would have charged four times as much to do). I was learning how to place text, do color corrections, make light and shadow elements... I was learning a whole new trade.

A lot of the tasks a self-publisher takes on are new trades, and completely different from their primary skill, which is writing books. These jobs on their own might require a degree or certification, and many years of experience to get good at. There's a reason books about self-publishing can go on for volumes. Let's give ourselves permission to learn, to ask for help, and to take no shame in outsourcing to an expert.

THE MANY HATS OF A SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR

Management

1. Project manager (responsible for overall schedule and budget)
2. Book keeper (responsible for tracking expenses, sales, royalties, and inventory)
3. Human resources (responsible for finding services, interviewing and hiring editors, artists, or any outsourced task)
4. Office manager (responsible for finding best computer, software, ink, etc)

Writing Phase

1. Author

Editing Phase

1. Beta-reader 
2. Editor 
1. Developmental
2. Line/ Content
3. Copy
3. Proofreader 

Publishing Phase

1. Blurb / copywriter
2. Front/back matter content writer
3. Layout and formatting expert
4. Cover Artist
5. Web Designer/ webpage master
6. Market researcher (responsible for researching keywords, categories, price points, and potential markets)
7. Distribution guru (responsible for uploading books, covers, blurbs, to various distribution sites, and applying market research)

Marketing Phase

1. Ad copywriter
2. Graphic artist (for online ads, physical media like bookmarks, and other swag design)
3. Video editor (optional)
4. Market researcher (responsible for finding new outlets)
5. Ads & promotions manager
6. Social media/blog content writer
7. Sales and market analyst (to figure out if your current marketing efforts are profitable)

Events (for those who do live events)

1. Travel coordinator
2. Event planner/coordinator
3. Publicist
4. Bio writer
5. Photographer (headshots)