Summary of "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing Your First Book"
Coffee With Cole: The Digital Writing Podcast
Host: Nicolas Cole
Release Date: March 4, 2025

Nicolas Cole delves into the intricacies of self-publishing in the episode titled "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing Your First Book." Sharing his personal successes and setbacks, Cole provides a comprehensive roadmap for aspiring authors aiming to navigate the self-publishing landscape effectively.

1. Introduction: Nicolas Cole’s Self-Publishing Success

Cole kicks off the episode by highlighting his achievement of earning over $150,000 on Amazon from a single book, achieved with a modest investment of $5,000 in design and formatting. Impressively, he accomplished this without any paid advertising or viral marketing efforts.

"This book has made me over $150,000 on Amazon alone. And it only cost me $5,000... And I did all of this without paid ads."
[00:00]

He emphasizes the importance of understanding the entire publishing process, from idea generation to marketing strategies that yield consistent royalties.

2. Testing Ideas and Outlining Your Book

Cole outlines two primary methods for writing a book:

a. Writing from a Blank Slate

He cautions against starting with a blank document without a clear plan, comparing it to navigating a vast forest with limited visibility. This approach, as he experienced with his first book, led to a prolonged writing period and minimal financial return.

"This is a recipe for disaster... trying to find your way out of a 10,000 acre forest with a flashlight that only shines three feet in front of you."
[02:30]

b. Writing Online First

Contrastingly, Cole advocates for building content around a specific niche and target audience online before committing to a book. This strategy allows authors to test ideas, engage with readers, and refine their content based on real-time feedback. His second book, "The Art and Business of Online Writing," benefited immensely from this approach, taking only four months to write and generating substantial revenue.

"By taking this strategy, it didn't take me four years to write this book. I wrote this book in four months and it has made me hundreds of thousands of dollars."
[09:15]

3. Editing Your Manuscript

Cole discusses the role of editors, categorizing them into three types:

• Positioning Editors: Assist in positioning the book within the market.
• Structural Editors: Help with content organization and delivery.
• Grammar Editors: Focus solely on correcting grammatical errors.

He personally finds hiring an editor optional, preferring to rely on the market for feedback and maintaining a rapid writing pace. However, he acknowledges that some authors may benefit from professional editing based on their individual needs.

"Hiring an editor is completely optional... I enjoy moving really quickly."
[12:45]

4. Publishing on Amazon

Cole demystifies the Amazon self-publishing process, breaking it down into manageable steps:

a. Acquiring an ISBN

Purchasing an ISBN from Bowker ensures the book can be distributed across various platforms, not just Amazon. The ISBN serves as a unique identifier for the book in the global market.

"Everyone says, oh, you can't get into bookstores without signing a traditional deal. Well, actually you can."
[16:00]

b. Formatting Your Book

Using platforms like Reedsy, authors can professionally format their manuscripts for both ebook and print editions with minimal effort and cost.

"Reedsy has this really cool free tool... it literally takes 10, 15 minutes."
[17:30]

c. Cover Design Investment

Cole stresses the importance of investing in high-quality cover design, suggesting that a compelling cover can significantly impact sales. Platforms like ineedabookcover.com connect authors with talented designers.

"Nothing is going to have a bigger impact on sales for your self-published book or traditional book than the cover."
[20:10]

d. Pre-Publishing Research

Utilizing tools like Publisher Rocket aids in market research, helping authors identify profitable niches and effective keywords to enhance discoverability.

"Publisher Rocket pulls data straight from Amazon so you can look up how other books are selling."
[22:50]

e. KDP Account Setup

Setting up a Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) account on Amazon is straightforward. Authors input their book details, upload the formatted manuscript and cover, set pricing, and publish. The book typically goes live within 24 to 48 hours.

"All you do is just link that to your Amazon login. Then you go to the bookshelf, you add a new title... and your book will go live 24 to 48 hours later."
[24:30]

5. Evergreen Marketing Strategy

Cole debunks the myth of a "secret" marketing strategy, illustrating how successful authors like Alex Hormozi and Dan Ko leverage consistent content creation within their niches to drive book sales.

a. Content Creation

Regularly producing relevant content helps maintain visibility and authority within a niche. This consistent presence naturally leads readers to author’s books.

"Make content in a niche, turn your highest performing ideas into a book... and you do that every single day for a year."
[28:00]

b. Building a Content Engine

Establishing a robust content ecosystem ensures continuous traffic and sales. Cole cites Ryan Holiday as a prime example of dominating a niche through persistent content generation.

"Ryan Holiday executes the blueprint every single day. Write about stoicism 100 times a day and then write books about stoicism."
[32:20]

6. Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing

Cole presents a strong case for self-publishing over traditional publishing, outlining the limitations and misconceptions associated with traditional book deals.

a. Limitations of Traditional Publishing

• New York Times Best Seller Game: Often inaccessible without significant publisher support.
• Bookstore Distribution: Limited and dependent on initial sales performance.
• Financial Constraints: Advances are typically spread out and may be insufficient compared to revenue from successful self-published books.
• Ownership and Royalties: Authors often relinquish substantial rights and earn lower royalties.

"On average, the average nonfiction book advance is around 25 grand... you are effectively buying 85% ownership of your book."
[35:00]

b. Benefits of Self-Publishing

• Creative Control: Full autonomy over content, design, and marketing strategies.
• Higher Royalties: Direct earnings from sales without intermediary cuts.
• Rapid Publishing Cycle: Ability to publish multiple books in a short timeframe.
• Long-Term Revenue: Building a library of books that continuously generate income.

"Self-publishing is the way to go... These skills are not that difficult. They are so doable."
[45:50]

7. Q&A Session: Addressing Common Queries

Cole addresses several listener questions, providing practical advice based on his extensive experience.

a. Finding an Editor

He recommends platforms like Reedsy, Upwork, and Fiverr but emphasizes defining the type of editing needed—whether structural, positioning, or grammatical.

"Reedsy is essentially a marketplace for editors... find someone whose point of view you like or feels aligned with you."
[48:30]

b. Balancing Passion and Market Demand

Cole advises authors to align their writing with high-demand categories to maximize sales while pursuing topics they are passionate about.

"Of the best selling 444 business books... the majority fell into personal development and personal finance."
[52:15]

c. Topic Selection and Validation

He underscores the importance of writing online first to validate topics and build an audience before publishing a book.

"Start writing online... attracting your target reader and getting feedback to refine your book’s content."
[55:00]

d. Fiction Writing and Literary Success

Addressing literary and upmarket fiction, Cole acknowledges the smaller market but highlights success stories like Gabrielle Zevin and George Saunders who blend literary quality with broader appeal.

"Gabrielle Zevin... a really good middle ground to look at. Her books are fun... and still feels smart."
[1:05:00]

8. Design and Production Tips

Cole reiterates the simplicity of the design process when self-publishing on Amazon, emphasizing that authors can achieve professional-quality covers and interiors by leveraging the right tools and platforms.

"Amazon prints it on demand and ships it to them... it's like the same person who designed Stephen King's book covers you can hire and they are not as expensive as you think."
[1:15:30]

9. Final Thoughts and Long-Term Strategy

Concluding the episode, Cole shares his vision of building a vast library of self-published books that generate substantial passive income. He advocates for a consistent, investment-driven approach to publishing and marketing, encouraging authors to view each book as a mini-business within a larger portfolio.

"Write a lot. Publish as often as you can. Reinvest in your library. Repeat forever."
[1:20:45]

Cole emphasizes that success in self-publishing is attainable through dedication, strategic investment, and leveraging data-driven tools. He positions self-publishing as a superior alternative to traditional publishing, particularly for authors seeking creative control and higher financial returns.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Planning: Begin by content creation within a specific niche to validate ideas and build an audience.
• Invest Wisely: Prioritize high-impact areas like cover design to enhance book marketability.
• Leverage Tools: Utilize platforms like Reedsy, Publisher Rocket, and K Lytics for formatting, market research, and design.
• Consistent Publishing: Build a library of books to create continuous revenue streams and establish authority in your niche.
• Self-Publishing Advantages: Enjoy greater creative control, higher royalties, and faster publishing cycles compared to traditional publishing.

Nicolas Cole's in-depth exploration serves as a vital resource for aspiring self-published authors, offering actionable insights and proven strategies to achieve financial and creative success in the digital writing realm.