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Martin Publishing Services

Publishing and Design Services for Authors and Presses

in Publishing Advice and Resources· The Business of Self-Publishing

Reflections on Being a Small Business Owner

As I reflect on being a successful small business owner, I can pinpoint one important thing that sets me apart from others: my personal definition of success. I have never been motivated by money. I never set out to “get rich”. I simply wanted to help. As my value and skill level increased, I adjusted my rates as the market dictated and still continue to do so. (And trust me, I ain’t rich by any means.)

Besides attending the occasional author conference, I don’t market my business in the traditional way. 99% of my business is word of mouth. And I like it that way. That usually ensures that my clients and I are a good fit.

In the years that I have been doing this, I have given away thousands of dollars in work (underbidding, soft heart, learning curves that cost me valuable time, not setting clear expectations with the client). And labor isn’t a tax-deduction. Even though I was self-educated, I promise you that my education wasn’t free nor was it without sacrifice.

In 2016, I had an amazing thing happen: 2 clients paid me double my quote of their own free will. One is a large health organization who told me they wouldn’t even consider my bid unless I doubled my price. One was another work-at-home/homeschooling mom who was raised Amish and understood that a workman is worthy of his hire. That was quite an eye-opening experience.

In my mind, I don’t have competition. I’m not focusing on other people that do what I do. Their vision is different, and it only slows me down when I focus on them. I have to keep all my focus on my own business.

On average, it takes at least 3 years to grow your business to the self-sustaining point. The first year, you feed your business. The second year, your business feeds itself. The third year, your business feeds you. If you do it right. I didn’t always do it right.

I love to watch business shows and documentaries. A favorite saying I’ve heard is, “I had to work a lot of years to become an overnight success.”

And above all, there is this: if you’re a business owner, then your primary business is people. Everything else is secondary.

Take care of your people, and they will take care of you.

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I so loved working on this cover Beth Stillman Bla I so loved working on this cover Beth Stillman Blaha. Her writing is phenomenal and honed to a fine point by @shaylaleeraquel's editing skills! I can't wait to add this beauty to my bookshelf.

@beth62881
I often have requests to use watercolor in the cov I often have requests to use watercolor in the cover design, but most of the time, it's just because the author likes the look, not because it has anything to do with the content. I like the design to reflect the title/subtitle/theme of the book, not just pick a design style at random. So finally an author has a title that actually supports using a watercolor theme. Yay!

In watercolor, a bloom is a flow mark created when liquid is added to an already drying wash. These unpredictable textures are also known as blossoms, backruns, or even cauliflowers. These terms all refer to the same thing. They occur because water always seeks a state of equilibrium. (@watercoloraffair_com )

This is a concept that the author had that I was able to polish up and bring to life. #bloomwithdeb
I love tapping into the sci-fi side of my designer I love tapping into the sci-fi side of my designer skillset. Fiction novels give me room to flex, because I can delicately weave in the elements of the story.

Since this book is based in Alamogordo, NM, and also New Mexico State University as a setting, I chose a serif typeface that is similar to the typeface that NMSU uses.

As you read the story, elements of the cover will be revealed to you when you go back for a second look.
"Nurses, you know how to heal others, but who is h "Nurses, you know how to heal others, but who is healing you? It’s time to focus inward and begin to honor yourself. 'Emotional Triage' offers an unassuming, real-life perspective on caring for others while still caring for yourself."

Thank you, nurses, for all you do.

"Emotional Triage" by Olivia Lovejoy, RN, releases next week.

@olivia_lovejoy_rn_author
Of all the things I ever wanted to be, a lawyer wa Of all the things I ever wanted to be, a lawyer was never one of them. If you're a lawyer and you don't want to be, connect with Philippe and snag a copy of his soon-to-be-released workbook to help you discover what you actually want.
Intentional design. The bird/fish pattern on the s Intentional design. The bird/fish pattern on the spine, the rounded san serif, the color palette, the italicizing of "Because,"—everything was chosen and placed with care.

Thank you, @beckykopitzke , for choosing me to design your book. <3
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