The Complete Guide to Outsourcing Your Self-Publishing Journey

Hey there! Thinking about outsourcing some of your self-publishing tasks? Let’s talk about what you really need to know – not just what you can outsource, but when it actually makes sense for your budget and career stage.

First Up: The Business Side of Writing

Here’s something a lot of authors don’t want to hear: self-publishing is a business. I know, I know – you got into this because you love writing, not because you wanted to be a CEO. But thinking like a business owner will help you make smarter decisions about where to spend your precious resources.

What Really Matters for Your First Book

Let’s cut to the chase – for your first book, there are only two things you absolutely must invest in: editing and cover design. Everything else is negotiable when you’re starting out. Why these two? Because they directly impact whether someone will buy and enjoy your book.

A good editor isn’t just fixing typos (though that’s important!). They’re helping ensure your story actually works. They’re catching those plot holes you missed and helping your characters feel real. And your cover? It’s your book’s handshake with potential readers. In a world where people spend seconds deciding whether to click on your book, a professional cover that screams “this is exactly the kind of story you love” is priceless.

The DIY Stage (AKA When You’re Just Starting Out)

When you’re starting out, you’ll probably need to handle quite a bit yourself. Here’s what most new authors typically manage on their own:

Basic formatting (pro tip: tools like Vellum or Atticus make this way easier than it used to be)

Setting up social media (start with just one platform you actually enjoy)
Creating a simple author website
Writing your own marketing copy

Reader magnet/ landing page/ email list setup (sorry, this has to get done sooner rather than later, even if you have no budget)

Yes, it’s a lot. But here’s the silver lining: doing these tasks yourself initially teaches you valuable lessons about what works for your books and your readers. This knowledge becomes super helpful when you’re ready to outsource later.

Once your first book is bringing in some cash, it’s time to look at what’s eating up your writing time or making you want to throw your laptop out the window. These are your first candidates for outsourcing. Maybe formatting makes you cry, or perhaps you’re spending so much time fiddling with your website that you can’t write your next book.

At this stage, many authors start outsourcing:

Book formatting (unless you found that you super loved it when you were setting up your first book– I did! )
Proofreading for their next books

Website maintenance (especially if you’re not tech-savvy)

The “Okay, Now We’re Getting Somewhere” Stage

This is where things get exciting. You’re making steady money from multiple books, and you can start building a real team. But hold up – don’t go outsourcing everything at once! That’s like trying to hire an entire staff for your small business before you even know what you need.

Instead, think about outsourcing one thing at a time:

Maybe start with a virtual assistant for a few hours a week
Consider professional audiobook production if your readers are asking for it
Get help with bookkeeping (because tax time shouldn’t make you cry)

Bring in experts for advanced marketing campaigns (but more on that in a second)

The Marketing Question (It’s Complicated)

Here’s the thing about marketing – everyone wants to outsource it because it feels scary. But here’s a truth bomb: you shouldn’t outsource marketing until you understand it yourself. Why? Because no marketing expert knows your readers better than you do.

Before you even think about hiring marketing help:

Set your email list up
Figure out your reader magnet (that free book or story you offer to get subscribers)
Test different marketing approaches yourself

Know what actually sells your books

Once you understand these basics? Then you can bring in help to scale what’s already working.

The “Never Ever Outsource” List

Some things should stay firmly in your control:

The actual writing (unless you’re deliberately co-authoring)
Final say on your book’s creative elements
Uploading your book (like, never ever EVER let anyone else upload your books into their account)

Direct chats with your super-fans
Your overall vision for your author career

Think of it this way – you wouldn’t let someone else decide what to name your kid, right? Same principle here.

Making Smart Choices With Your Money

Before you hire anyone, ask yourself:

Can I afford this without eating ramen for a month?
Will this investment likely pay for itself?

Do I know enough about this task to tell if someone’s doing a good job?
Could this money be better spent elsewhere?

Building Your Dream Team (Slowly)

Think of building your publishing team like building a house – you need a solid foundation before adding a hot tub. Start with the basics (remember: editing and cover design), then add other professionals as your business grows. Keep track of what each investment returns in terms of sales or time saved.

The Bottom Line

Here’s the real talk: every author’s journey looks different. Maybe you’re a whiz at design but need extra help with editing. Or maybe you rock at marketing but tech makes you break out in hives. That’s totally okay! The key is to know your strengths and weaknesses, then outsource strategically as your budget allows.

Remember: it’s better to do a few things well than to do everything halfway. Start small, grow gradually, and keep focusing on what matters most – writing books your readers love.

What aspects of publishing make you want to hide under your desk? That might be where you want to start outsourcing once you can. Just remember – Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your publishing empire!

Want to know more about finding and vetting professionals for any of these services? Or maybe you need help figuring out what to prioritize first? Let me know!