We’ve had some amazing Wednesday Wisdom sessions in March, and we’re here to bring you our Top Five Takeaways from sessions with Áine Ryan at JKP, Ruth Bradstreet at Edelweiss and David Marlin from MetaComet Systems.

If you’re a BookMachine member, you can log in and catch up with the session recordings here.

1. Your skillset is your best asset 

If you’re trying to break into the industry, make sure to highlight what unique skills you possess. Skills like design, copywriting and coding are in high demand. It can be surprising what skillsets a team might be deficient in – you could be the answer!

If you’re already established but looking to switch roles, it is key to update your skillset. Having something extra and exciting to offer will definitely boost your chances. 

Upskilling is a great way to bolster your CV as well as your confidence in the workplace. Getting to grips with tech you use everyday is invaluable; Excel is one to master in almost every role. Bringing fresh skills to your current role could greatly improve both your workflow and the quality of your work itself. 

2. Accessibility

Don’t be afraid to ask what you’re doing wrong – and how you can do better! Accessibility measures are improving all the time, but everyone has to do their bit to change things. We should be continually learning how to make events more inclusive. Small changes like subtitles, transcripts and audio descriptions can make a big difference to so many people. 

3. Digital is forever changing the landscape of publishing

Love it or hate it, having an online presence is an important part of the world today. Social media is an essential marketing tool, but can play an integral role in work across all aspects of the industry. Authors inevitably have a platform which they can use to brand themselves and engage directly with their readers. 

Advances in technology have fundamentally changed how readers can experience books. Digital Reader Copies, audiobooks, enhanced ebooks and video content are always offering publishers new opportunities. Keeping abreast of digital technologies and how you can implement them keeps your work up-to-the-minute. 

Automation software, something that is becoming increasingly accessible to any user, is revolutionising workloads and changing how our work is being done. How much more could you achieve every day if you could cut out emails and spreadsheets? Complicated tasks like royalties can be easily and accurately taken care of, reducing the strain on your workload. Automation is proven to increase productivity as well as creativity – the computer takes on the tedium, and the professionals get back to what they do best! 

4. Daily planning to keep you on track

One of the key tips for success flagged in our sessions was the power of daily planning. Mapping out your workflow and some manageable goals is a great way to work effectively and sustainably, with a target of what you want to achieve in mind.

5. Think bigger than books

Inspiration can be found outside the publishing industry – be creative and open to your ideas. For marketing, consider what other industries sell well, what are they doing right? Can we apply this to books? 

Remember to also think outside the box when it comes to your audience. Books often don’t reach your reader directly. A book travels through a series of experts and authorities to reach a reader – librarians, teachers, academics, booksellers, book reviewers, influencers and journalists can all be gatekeepers of a book. Keep them in mind and how they interact with the industry, too.

To join us at upcoming Wednesday Wisdom sessions, visit our events page here.