Do I Need an Editor Before an Agent?
September 14, 2022
In the emerging digital publishing age, getting a book written is only half the battle. Creating one that sells itself online is another matter and takes meticulous planning from development to publication. This step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online will take you through the important factors of getting books sellable in the digital age.
Step 1: Research Your Market Before Writing a Single Word
Before diving into your manuscript, the initial step is rigorous market research to develop a step-by-step guide to writing an online self-selling book. This foundation determines if your book will have a ready audience to purchase from.
- Consider bestsellers in your category
- Review Amazon’s top 20 bestsellers in your category
- Notice trends in titles, covers, and descriptions
- Read reviews to understand what readers love and hate
- Identify your specific target audience
- Create in-depth reader personas with demographics and psychographics
- Determine where these readers hang out online
- Understand their most important pain points or desires
Books that clearly hit one particular reader profile repeatedly outsell books that target a broader audience, according to the Author Earnings Report. See our Market Research Toolkit for successful audience analysis templates.
Step 2: Craft a High-Concept Premise That Hooks Readers
A compelling premise is crucial in any step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online. Your concept needs to be easily communicated and instantly intriguing.
Ask yourself:
- Can your book’s core idea be expressed in a single sentence?
- Does it offer a unique angle or fresh perspective?
- Would someone immediately understand why they need this book?
For fiction, develop a “what if” scenario that creates immediate curiosity. For non-fiction, identify the specific transformation or solution your book provides.
The Chicago Manual of Style recommends testing your premise by crafting a 25-word elevator pitch. If you can’t concisely explain your book’s appeal, readers will struggle to understand why they should purchase it.
Step 3: Design a Strategic Title and Subtitle Combination
Your title and subtitle are the most important marketing elements in a step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online. They must:
- Include relevant keywords for discoverability
- Clearly communicate the book’s value proposition
- Create curiosity or emotional resonance
For non-fiction, use a formula like:
[Intriguing Main Title]: [Benefit-Focused Subtitle with Keywords]Example: “Write to Sell: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Book That Sells Itself Online”
For fiction, ensure your title:
- Fits genre expectations
- Creates intrigue
- Is memorable and distinctive
Check out our Title Testing Framework to evaluate potential titles before committing.
Step 4: Structure Your Content for Maximum Reader Engagement
The internal organization of your book plays a crucial role in any step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online. Readers who enjoy your content structure are more likely to leave positive reviews and recommend your book.
For non-fiction:
- Begin each chapter with a compelling promise
- Use frequent subheadings (every 300-500 words)
- Include actionable takeaways, exercises, or summaries
- Add visual elements like charts, tables, or worksheets
For fiction:
- Start with an irresistible hook
- Create chapter endings that compel continued reading
- Develop characters readers become emotionally invested in
- Maintain consistent pacing throughout
According to Publishing Perspectives, books with well-structured content receive 37% more positive reviews, directly impacting algorithms that determine visibility on online platforms.
A book that sells itself isn't written on impulse—it's engineered with purpose. Every chapter, every paragraph, every word should answer the question: 'Why would someone recommend this to a friend?
Step 5: Write with SEO and Discoverability in Mind
A key component of any step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online is understanding how readers find books through search. Strategic use of keywords throughout your content enhances discoverability.
Areas to incorporate relevant keywords:
- Book title and subtitle
- Chapter titles
- Book description
- First and last paragraphs of each chapter
- Image captions and tables
Tools like Publisher Rocket can help identify high-performing keywords in your genre with lower competition.
Step 6: Create a Compelling Book Description That Converts
Your book description functions as sales copy in any effective step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online. It should follow proven copywriting formulas like AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) or PAS (Problem, Agitation, Solution).
Elements of high-converting book descriptions:
- An attention-grabbing opening line
- Social proof (credentials, testimonials, or relevant statistics)
- Clear articulation of benefits or emotional payoff
- Specific details about content (chapter breakdowns or key topics)
- A strong call-to-action
Visit our Book Description Templates page for downloadable formulas proven to increase conversion rates.
Step 7: Design a Professional Cover That Appeals to Your Target Audience
No step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online would be complete without addressing cover design. Your cover must instantly communicate genre, quality, and relevance to your target readers.
Elements of effective cover design:
- Genre-appropriate imagery and typography
- Clear legibility of title at thumbnail size
- Color psychology aligned with content tone
- Professional quality comparable to traditionally published books
According to BookBub, readers make purchase decisions within 7 seconds of seeing a cover, making this investment crucial for books that sell themselves.
Step 8: Build Anticipation Before Publication
A truly comprehensive step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online includes pre-publication marketing strategies. Building an audience before release creates momentum for launch day.
Effective pre-launch tactics:
- Share the writing process on social media
- Release sample chapters to an email list
- Create behind-the-scenes content about your research or inspiration
- Set up pre-orders with special incentives
For detailed guidance on building pre-launch momentum, check out our Book Launch Checklist.
Step 9: Optimize Your Author Platform for Credibility
Your online presence significantly impacts book sales in any step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online. Readers often research authors before purchasing.
Essential author platform elements:
- Professional website with compelling author bio
- Active social media profiles on platforms where your readers gather
- Email newsletter with valuable content related to your book topic
- Media kit with downloadable author photos and book information
Writer’s Digest reports that authors with established platforms sell 63% more books than those without, even with identical content quality.
Step 10: Incorporate Viral Elements That Encourage Sharing
For a book to truly sell itself online, it must contain elements readers feel compelled to share. Any effective step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online should include:
- Quotable passages formatted for easy sharing
- Original frameworks or concepts with memorable names
- Surprising statistics or counterintuitive insights
- Actionable advice readers can implement for quick wins
Consider creating shareable companion resources like worksheets, checklists, or tools that extend the book’s value and provide additional sharing opportunities.
Step 11: Optimize Your Book for Positive Reviews
Reviews dramatically impact algorithm visibility in any step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online. Structure your book to naturally encourage positive feedback.
Strategies to generate positive reviews:
- Exceed expectations by delivering more value than promised
- Include a friendly request for reviews at the end of your book
- Offer bonus content in exchange for review screenshots
- Address potential objections within the content itself
According to Publisher’s Weekly, books with 50+ reviews sell up to 270% more copies than those with fewer than 5 reviews.
Step 12: Create a Robust Launch Strategy
The final element in our step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online is a coordinated launch that creates initial momentum. This early traction helps algorithms recognize and recommend your book.
Essential launch elements:
- Coordinated promotional push across multiple platforms
- Temporary price promotions to encourage initial purchases
- Outreach to influencers and reviewers in your niche
- Participation in relevant online communities and forums
For a detailed timeline and launch sequence, download our 30-Day Book Launch Plan with day-by-day activities.
Conclusion: Your Book as a Self-Selling Asset
Following this step-by-step guide to writing a book that sells itself online transforms your manuscript from a creative project into a strategic business asset. By intentionally building marketability into every aspect of your book—from concept to structure to presentation—you create a product that continues generating sales with minimal ongoing promotion.
Remember that books that sell themselves aren’t accidental; they’re carefully crafted with both readers and algorithms in mind. By implementing these twelve steps, you position your book for sustainable online success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Ready to transform your book idea into a self-selling success? Join our Author Hub Community for personalized coaching and access to all resources mentioned in this guide.
What step do you find most challenging in creating a book that sells itself online? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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