Some reports say that close to 800 new books are published each day in the United States. If only 1% of those books are published by new, self-published authors (and I’m just making up that number for my point), that is nearly 3000 newly published authors each year.

I’m not sharing that statistic to scare you, but instead I hope it will make you understand that you need to find ways to differentiate yourself in that big crowd. Some authors do that instinctively, but most new authors would benefit from having a coach guide them along the self-publishing way to give them tips and hints.

One of the first things I tell each of my author/clients is this: Get a professional photo done. It will distinguish you as a professional and help you rise to the top of that crowd of new authors.

If you use a picture from your summer vacation at the beach, or worse, one you’ve taken with your webcam, you will look like an amateur. A professional photo will make people take you more seriously.

Here’s an example:
One client used this photo for the first 6 months that his book was out:

Not a bad photo; it shows him working his craft at his favorite writing spot. But look at the difference it made for him to have a professional photo made:

This photo makes him look like a bonafide, experienced author who has printed and sold thousands of books. His photo could be the back cover of a book. I haven’t looked at his stats, but I would bet that this blog traffic and book sales picked up after he began using this photo. (Maybe you’ll tell us in the comments, Michael Gunter?!)

Admittedly, a professional photo shoot can cost big bucks; you could save a little bit of money by contacting a college to see if any students would like to shoot your photo–but don’t skimp too much because you always get what you pay for!

If you want to get noticed as a professional author, get a professional photo and you’ll be on your way.

Write On!
 (and smile pretty for the camera!)

Alane

(for more about my author/client and blog model/example please visit his website at GunterBooks.com; you’ll like what he does!)