Here are 10 great reasons why self-publishing is a great thing to get into. Now more than ever, self-publishing can be an exciting and profitable way to improve your career and your bank account at the same time.
1. You retain control of your own publication: This is probably the biggest reason so many of us decide to self-publish.
2. Keep a higher percentage of profits: You are going to work long hours to get your finished publication to market. You should benefit financially as much as possible. As a self-publisher, you can easily keep 45%-80% of the cover price.
3. Get your publication on the market very fast: Traditional publishers can take many, many months to do what a freelance publisher can do in a few months, or even weeks.
4. Very few barriers to entry: A computer, some simple software, Internet access, a basic business plan, some free time, and a dream, and you’re ready to become a self-publisher.
5. Be recognized as an authority and boost your career: Very few people in our world will actually publish a book. Doing so will make you stand out from the crowd. Having a published book is much better than a resume.
6. It doesn’t eliminate your chances of a traditional publishing deal: If their book sells enough copies, gets enough publicity, and is a hot topic, it’s certainly possible to get a traditional deal, but they keep most of the revenue.
7. Traditional publishers don’t have time to deal with you: Usually their interest in your book will only last for several months. Then they will leave you for more profitable posts. Then you have to take your book and do all the marketing, sales, and promotion yourself.
8. Great side business: This is how many self-publishers start. They create a book in hopes of furthering their career and get the satisfaction of seeing their name in a book. Some enjoy the publishing process so much that they later produce more books or start a micro/niche publishing company.
9. The stigma has disappeared: In our fast-paced and changing world, there is always a high demand for high-quality, unadulterated information from authors who know what they are talking about. Readers don’t care if the book was published by one person or by a large publisher.
10. Internet makes it easy and fast: Thanks to the Internet, we can now market and sell our publications all over the world, in a matter of minutes. We can also create a very sophisticated and successful marketing and promotional program that reaches a worldwide audience. Now, more than ever, one person can run and manage a highly successful self-publishing operation, right from their home office.
