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Many self-publishing authors ask this question, and unfortunately the answer is difficult to predict. The truth is that your success as an author depends to a large degree on the following factors:

• The quality of your book
• The size of market for your book
• How well you are able to market and sell it

Book quality affects whether anyone is going to recommend your book to others. Reviewers and critics will only recommend a book if it is good. After all, their reputations are on the line.

The size of your market also plays an important role. Your niche may be the most exciting thing in the world to you, but you will sell more books if your niche happens to be “Mysteries” than if your niche happens to be “Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.”

Thirdly, your sales and marketing capabilities will also play a role. If you master the techniques of book marketing, or you use your self-publishing experience to leverage a book deal with a major publishing house, then your book will do very well for you.

Keep in mind that you can use your books to make money in many more ways than simply selling them. Often, you can make more money by giving your books away than by selling them. Consultants often use this technique to attract consulting contracts. Professional authors also give away copies of their work to get writing gigs and columns in magazines, newspapers and websites.

The trick with self-publishing a book is to keep your eyes open to opportunities. Sometimes creativity in how you make your money is almost as important as the creativity you use to write your books!

Learn more about self-publishing at wwaow.com.