Amazon Kindle Publishing - To Outsource or Not To Outsource

[NemoTheOne]

Hello Hatters

After spending quite some time ghostwriting, I've decided to do the "obvious" thing as publish my own work - will be entering Kindle.

Now I know it's primarily a numbers game - but at the same time, I understand that spinning PLR content doesn't work.
So my question is this.

What part of the process would you outsource/automate?

For instance, I watched a seminar where someone said they actually write their own (non fiction) books - about 30-45 pages (I think around 35,000 words?) over the course of 2-3 days. At that rate they can turn out about 2 books a week. What do you think of this? Or do you feel it's worth it to get someone to ghostwrite for you some of your material?

Lastly, I would EXPECT to acquire outside "SEO/Promotion". However, I understand that Amazon actually does alot of promotion on their own, and of course that comes with having a large core lot of traffic. Perhaps I can save the money I spend here to work on ghostwriters - or if not - other expenses that come with Kindle publishing.

So I guess the question is: To Outsource or not to outsource? Anyone write "everything" on their own?

 

[bartosimpsonio]

In a recent Kindle job I did not outsource anything and I regretted it badly. My diagramming skills were shit, I should've given the text to an experienced formatter, when the kindle version was compiled, it looked like crap on the simulators.

 

[NemoTheOne]

Ah, I understand formatting is a job it its own right, especially when you're talking 35+ pages of great writing.

So look like it's definitely a good idea to outsource FORMATTING FOR KINDLE.

 

[multicolouredhat]

You should have given formatting to me.
I am very good at kindle formatting.

Send me a PM.

 

[venetia]

Look at outsourcing if you have the money and are able to find a good writer for a good price. I think finding someone to do a good job might be a process in itself. If you like to write and can do it quick enough, you might just want to do it yourself.

You might want to look into someone doing the cover for you if you don't have experience with that sort of thing. Covers sell books and you don't want a crappy looking one.

 

[funkybunker]

You might want to look into someone doing the cover for you if you don't have experience with that sort of thing. Covers sell books and you don't want a crappy looking one.

Thank you. Covers must say "hey reader, this is what I'm about...but there's more beneath."

OP; your numbers game approach is shit. That's my opinion using common sense. Blackhatworld is about automating everything and sucking at everything. Put your fucking heart into what you do, your imagination is far superior than you treat it. Forget "automation" for a damn moment and do things you actually care about.
If you plan on earning from your books just mark your advertising expenses off come tax season.

Face it OP, the books that continue to make money for years to come, were written for people to enjoy/re-read for years to come.

 

[skinnyboi]

Honestly do it yourself until you know what you want and how it works otherwise how can you know what to pay people and how much it should cost

 

[dys872]

I'm writing my own on kindle it's not hard. However I might outsource down the road.

 

[NemoTheOne]

Thank you. Covers must say "hey reader, this is what I'm about...but there's more beneath."

OP; your numbers game approach is shit. That's my opinion using common sense. Blackhatworld is about automating everything and sucking at everything. Put your fucking heart into what you do, your imagination is far superior than you treat it. Forget "automation" for a damn moment and do things you actually care about.
If you plan on earning from your books just mark your advertising expenses off come tax season.

Face it OP, the books that continue to make money for years to come, were written for people to enjoy/re-read for years to come.

Well - uh, I'm not disagreeing or saying that 'automation is everything'. I presume that one can enjoy writing the book, but outsource promotion. That's a method that makes sense without compromising the creative joy that comes with the actual producing.

The president of a company doesn't do everything​

 

[NemoTheOne]

Honestly do it yourself until you know what you want and how it works otherwise how can you know what to pay people and how much it should cost

That sounds like a viable and well-rounded approach.

Perhaps outsourcing other aspects (like SEO, COVERS, KINDLE FORMATTING) would allow me to concentrate on the best strength of all: writing.

 

[java]

That sounds like a viable and well-rounded approach.

Perhaps outsourcing other aspects (like SEO, COVERS, KINDLE FORMATTING) would allow me to concentrate on the best strength of all: writing.

Do you want a hobby, or do you want to make money? Unless you are in the top 2% skill level of writing, your income will be limited by what you personally produce. Instead think of plots to hand off to other writers, then do the editing for what they produce for you.

 

[funkybunker]

You're correct, I'm only disagreeing with outsourcing authors. Well....I wouldn't call them "authors".
Definitely do what you excel in & love - if that's writing then write your heart out and outsource promotional material where you see fit. If you're going for the long haul then focus on quality. Book-mills pump out shitty books that absolutely NOBODY wants to read, don't do that.

Well - uh, I'm not disagreeing or saying that 'automation is everything'. I presume that one can enjoy writing the book, but outsource promotion. That's a method that makes sense without compromising the creative joy that comes with the actual producing.

The president of a company doesn't do everything​

 

[venetia]

Do you want a hobby, or do you want to make money? Unless you are in the top 2% skill level of writing, your income will be limited by what you personally produce. Instead think of plots to hand off to other writers, then do the editing for what they produce for you.

I doubt that you will be able to find anyone who is a top 2% writer to produce ebooks for you. If their writing is that good I would imagine that their prices would be well out of range. I'm sure there are decent writers out there, but if his writing is good he might be better off writing it himself and having someone edit it for him.

 

[NemoTheOne]

You're correct, I'm only disagreeing with outsourcing authors. Well....I wouldn't call them "authors".
Definitely do what you excel in & love - if that's writing then write your heart out and outsource promotional material where you see fit. If you're going for the long haul then focus on quality. Book-mills pump out shitty books that absolutely NOBODY wants to read, don't do that.

This is a very interesting conversation. What do you think of having others write and you edit their work?

I think that could help produce more - then again, if you find yourself spending alot of time 'editing', I would say then that you might as well write everything 'on your own'.

If I had to choose I think i would choose to write everything and have others proofread. I'm not sure about having them fully edit it.

Or perhaps have them "begin" a story and I continue it.......
Looks like I'll be trying out the later of having them write "parts" of a story. Though in that case it may be disjointed at times - but with my editing and writing 'the majority' i think that that would be a very effective task in improving production (but not necessarily going at a 'book mill' rate.

 

[java]

I doubt that you will be able to find anyone who is a top 2% writer to produce ebooks for you. If their writing is that good I would imagine that their prices would be well out of range. I'm sure there are decent writers out there, but if his writing is good he might be better off writing it himself and having someone edit it for him.

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that unless you are in the 2% of the market, you are not going to be making a whole lot of money producing your own books. Find decent writers to work for you. If you like to write, produce the plots and hire out the writing. Polish up their work with your editing skills.

 

[venetia]

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that unless you are in the 2% of the market, you are not going to be making a whole lot of money producing your own books. Find decent writers to work for you. If you like to write, produce the plots and hire out the writing. Polish up their work with your editing skills.

I see what you are saying. I guess I just have my doubts about finding a decent writer that is also affordable.

 

[java]

I see what you are saying. I guess I just have my doubts about finding a decent writer that is also affordable.

You won't if you are trying to find them on oDesk, Freelancer, etc.

 

[funkybunker]

Since you're speaking of stories, the question is "are you approaching fiction or non-fiction" OR both?
You make the call at the end of the day. I personally write my own material because the connection assures you handle it with care. I can't imagine finding a story-writing freelancer on your typical websites, and "authors" are doubtfully going to write for you when they want their own career.
Assume a few others have pulled this off: They either took their time and cashed in on terrific books in less quantity OR outsourced most/all of it for an audience that regrets buying them. I understand you want to bank on your talents but writing helpful & engaging material is not like the rest of BHW topics. You have to genuinely be great at it.

This is a very interesting conversation. What do you think of having others write and you edit their work?

I think that could help produce more - then again, if you find yourself spending alot of time 'editing', I would say then that you might as well write everything 'on your own'.

If I had to choose I think i would choose to write everything and have others proofread. I'm not sure about having them fully edit it.

Or perhaps have them "begin" a story and I continue it.......
Looks like I'll be trying out the later of having them write "parts" of a story. Though in that case it may be disjointed at times - but with my editing and writing 'the majority' i think that that would be a very effective task in improving production (but not necessarily going at a 'book mill' rate.

 

[NemoTheOne]

Since you're speaking of stories, the question is "are you approaching fiction or non-fiction" OR both?
You make the call at the end of the day. I personally write my own material because the connection assures you handle it with care. I can't imagine finding a story-writing freelancer on your typical websites, and "authors" are doubtfully going to write for you when they want their own career.
Assume a few others have pulled this off: They either took their time and cashed in on terrific books in less quantity OR outsourced most/all of it for an audience that regrets buying them. I understand you want to bank on your talents but writing helpful & engaging material is not like the rest of BHW topics. You have to genuinely be great at it.

I am approaching non-fiction.

Although, I think I have enough fiction stories to put together ina sort of collection release. However, that's somewhat all over the place and I like to stay focused with non-fiction topics that I genuinely know about and am passionate about.

Understood about churning out outsourced material to an audience that will repeatedly regret buying them. Doesn't do well for long term, as well as building a (loyal) reader/fan base. Plus, I'd imagine that doing all of that editing would take almost as much time as just writing everything myself.

Good input. It seems the value here is in the QUALITY and not necessarily the quantity.

It's the idea to sell 50 quick fire ebooks at $2.99
or 10 strong ebooks at $7.99

 

[NemoTheOne]

You won't if you are trying to find them on oDesk, Freelancer, etc.

Is Odesk and freelancer inexpensive?