Q. How do I decide among the many publishing paths — should I seek a traditional publisher? Should I self-publish? Something in-between? Hard copy? E book? both? I’m not asking what path I should take — I’m asking for criteria for making that decision.
A. Here’s what I know from my 20 years in this business about the Agent/Publisher & the Self-Publilsher
What the Agent and Traditional Publisher Want:
They only want and promote big names. They want people who can travel and market well. They spend only a few months with a new author–book tours You must pay back all advances for book tours and their minimal promotion They do not promote the author at all. You must do the PR yourself-the flyers, the press releases, the talks, the easy Online ways.
As a Self-Publisher of 40 books over the last 20 years here’s what I know about Self-Publishing:
You keep all the profits You have all the control, cover/title You can sub out work you don’t know how to do You can print your books through PQN (Print Quantity Needed) Printing costs can be around $1000 if you print only 600 books of 125 pp. You get to choose easy ways to promote your book
With coaching, you can write a salable book by learning the essential “Hot-Selling Points such as the title, back cover, introduction, “tell and sell,” and audience before you write.
Write your print and eBook at the same time. EBooks cost less and are less hassle.
What I know about eBook Self-Publishing:
The benefits are many: You can make 1/3 to 1/2 your monthly income just through the sale of one book, you all the money, you create lifetime ongoing profits, you build your client base and credibility, get your word out, become the expert in your field and the logistics are easy too: no packaging, no printing, no mailing, no travel, no tell and sell, can sell from email and a Web site, can finish within 30 days, and best of all reach your target audiences easily and distribute yourself. I have 12 eBook selling well. I spend only 9 hours a week on promotion.
You may need a coach for a short time, perhaps 2-3 months at 2 meetings a month to learn Internet Marketing, where your message gets in front of a 1000 to 500, 000 eager buyers every day. A short cut and less expensive method will include taking a teleclass, or series from an expert.
Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works with small business people who want to make a difference in people’s lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income. Author of 10 eBooks including “Write your eBook Fast,” “How to Market your Business on the Internet,” and “Create your Web Site With Marketing Pizzazz,” she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says…and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 145 free articles. Email her at Judy@bookcoaching.com.
