It's a courageous thing, indeed, to complete a manuscript and make the decision to publish it independently.
Finishing a book is a monumental accomplishment, and for some authors, deciding to self-publish is not simple. But before an author submits files to her chosen publishing platform, she should first get comfortable in her new role as Director of The Book's Digital Strategy.
Authors don't necessarily enjoy spending time they could use writing developing marketing plans. However, it's critical for an indie author to have a clear idea of what she hopes to gain by self-publishing before releasing a book. The goals that an author has for her book (other than the vague standby "selling millions") and career should play a strategic role in the selection of the publishing platform, the book's price, and the book's marketing campaign.
