Okay, maybe not everything. But a lot. The big picture stuff, at least.
Have you ever been through a kitchen remodel? I’ve performed that juggling act a couple of times, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
The process is rife with so many moving parts, unfamiliar terminology, a plethora of decisions to make and expenses to manage.
But oh, the joy when the dust settles, the countertops sparkle, the cabinets beckon. All of it no longer a dream but a vision come to life.
The same can be said of publishing a book. As with any project where you don’t know what you don’t know, the view at the starting line can be simultaneously tantalizing and daunting.
So how do you transform your vision into reality while maintaining your sanity?
Best answer: Work with a team of trusted professionals. That’s what I did for my recent kitchen remodel, and the results prove the point.
The aspects that I am not 100 percent happy with are the ones I took charge of, whether to save money, time or because I thought I knew what I was doing. The parts I love are the ones where I got out of the way and let the pros take charge.
But experience and talent alone are not enough to see the job through. Communication is vital from start to finish. And both parties bear responsibility to ask questions, voice concerns and report progress regularly.
Why? Because open lines of communication help ensure that when life intervenes, as it will, the project is more likely to take a minor detour rather than completely derail.
All of this is as true for putting a book out into the world as it is for creating the kitchen of your dreams.
You could do it yourself, but is that really a good use of your time and energy? The learning curve is steep and the results can be less than satisfactory.
The fact is, whether you are publishing a book for credibility, leverage or legacy, the finished product should increase your value, much like a kitchen upgrade increases the value of your home.
Publishing professionals, from designers to editors to marketers, know how to make that happen. And they know the answers to questions you haven’t thought of yet. Seems like a more predictable path to success, right?
My kitchen remodel had its challenges (supply chain issues, anyone?), but thanks to a team of pros, I am now cooking in style and have upped the ante on our home’s value.
Publishing a book is an investment in you. Collaborating with experts puts you on the fast track to maximizing the return.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]