SELF-PUBLISHING vs. TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING
If you are not sure whether you want to self-publish,
or seek out a traditional publisher, please consider these pros
and cons:
Self-Publishing Pros
- You make more money per book every time you sell one.
- You can get your book printed and have it ready to sell very
quickly.
- You have total control over your cover design and title.
- No one can tell you to edit anything out.
- You own all the rights, except for the ISBN.
- If you already have an audience for your talks or seminars,
you can use the book for immediate back of the room sales.
- You can print in small quantities.
- You can sell your book on Amazon (we will put this in
place for you and you will receive a 20% royalty).
Self-Publishing Cons
- Distribution is limited as chains, for the most part,
do not accept self-published books.
- Marketing and promotion is your responsibility
(similar to traditional publishing).
- You've got to do everything yourself or nothing is going
to happen.
- If you aren't already out speaking or giving seminars, or in
the public eye where people will have exposure to you, sales
can be quite challenging.
- You've got to put out the money for printing, but ask
about our great rates!.
- Most reviewers won't review books that are
self-published.
Traditional Publishing Pros
- Your prestige level rises with the signing of the contract.
- Your credibility as an expert increases immediately.
- Your book will be widely distributed by your publisher's
national and/or international distribution channels, and can make
its way into the national chains.
- A sales force will represent your book to bookstores
across the country.
- A publicity person will often send out press releases
to the local media in the towns where you will be speaking. (Not
all publishers offer this option, and some will offer this option
only for a time-limited period).
- Greater opportunities for media exposure.
- The publisher assumes all printing costs.
Traditional Publishing Cons
- You must put together an extensive book proposal to sell
your book, which can be costly and/or timely to create.
- You will make approximately .75 cents to a dollar, or
so, for every book the publisher sells.
- Once they've bought your book, a publisher might take a year
or two, or longer, before they print your book and it actually
makes its way into the bookstores.
- Editorial and sales staff can come and go,
which means your project can be sacked.
- You have zippo control over your cover design and title.
- A publisher can insist on edits that you might not agree
with.
- You own the copyright, but often not much more, unless
you or your agent have negotiated otherwise.
- Publishers will typically let you buy your book at 40-50% off
the cover price, so if you want to order a case of books for yourself
you can, however, they will charge you for shipping. Example:
if a book sells for $12.95, and you have a 50% discount, you can
expect to pay about $7.50 per book with the shipping cost, leaving
you a small margin for profit.
What Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing Have in Common
Whether you self-publish or find a traditional publisher, you
are responsible for promoting your book. Period. A traditional
publisher will kick in some promotional effort, typically giving
you three months, or so, of publicity support, in which time they
will send your book (usually pre-publication) to reviewers, and
perhaps secure some media placements for you. After three month's
time, you are just about entirely on your own. Please visit Press
Kits and Publicity
for information about beefing up your promotions.
Contact us any time
to discuss how we can help you get your book out into the world.
Call (831) 726-3153. We're on the West coast.
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