What are the core activities I should be doing as a self-publishing author?

According to Chat GPT.

Photo by Vlad Deep on Unsplash

***For an article I am working on over on Substack, I asked the question: What are the core activities I should be doing as a self-publishing author? This is the answer that Chat GPT gave me.***

As a self-publishing author, your core activities can be divided into several key areas: writing, publishing, marketing, and business development.

Here’s a complete list of essential activities in each category:

1. Writing & Content Creation

• Generating book ideas — Brainstorm topics based on your expertise, interests, and audience demand.
• Outlining your book — Create a structured plan to guide your writing.
• Writing consistently — Set a daily or weekly writing goal to finish your book.
• Editing & revising — Self-edit, hire an editor, or use tools like Grammarly and ProWritingAid.
• Formatting — Prepare your book for digital and print formats using tools like Vellum, Atticus, or Scrivener.
• Creating additional content — Write blog posts, newsletters, or social media posts to expand your reach.

2. Publishing & Distribution