Comments on: What’s Self Publishing All About? http://joekraynak.com/publishing/whats-self-publishing-all-about.html Freelance Writer Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:30:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Joe http://joekraynak.com/publishing/whats-self-publishing-all-about.html/comment-page-1#comment-106 Joe Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:17:22 +0000 http://joekraynak.com/blog/publishing/whats-self-publishing-all-about.html#comment-106 Hi, Peggy- You make some excellent points. I co-author books with some of the top experts in their fields. I always feel that we exchange things of value. I assist them in producing a book and getting it published, which helps them establish credibility. This gives them a tangible product to use to promote whatever goal they have - grow their business, achieve a higher profile, pursue other opportunities, whatever. In return, I receive top-notch content on topics I know little or nothing about and income from advances and royalties. Most of the specialists I work with earn far more performing their "day jobs" than they ever hope to earn on the meager advances and royalties from the books we do. One guy I work with spends far more money promoting our books than he earns on them. The books function as catalysts for pursuing other revenue-generating opportunities. As you say, the books function as calling cards. Hi, Peggy-

You make some excellent points. I co-author books with some of the top experts in their fields. I always feel that we exchange things of value. I assist them in producing a book and getting it published, which helps them establish credibility. This gives them a tangible product to use to promote whatever goal they have – grow their business, achieve a higher profile, pursue other opportunities, whatever. In return, I receive top-notch content on topics I know little or nothing about and income from advances and royalties.

Most of the specialists I work with earn far more performing their “day jobs” than they ever hope to earn on the meager advances and royalties from the books we do. One guy I work with spends far more money promoting our books than he earns on them. The books function as catalysts for pursuing other revenue-generating opportunities. As you say, the books function as calling cards.

]]> By: Peggy Richardson http://joekraynak.com/publishing/whats-self-publishing-all-about.html/comment-page-1#comment-105 Peggy Richardson Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:28:36 +0000 http://joekraynak.com/blog/publishing/whats-self-publishing-all-about.html#comment-105 Hi Joe, There's a part of the picture related to self-publishing that you may be missing here. Self-publishing does not necessarily mean that one must engage a company like Jenkins, nor does it mean that the only other alternative is a POD (print on demand) provider. I'm an editor who works almost exclusively with self-publishing authors. All my clients work in non-fiction, and their topics are mostly business-related. I'm a consultant, and I offer them options related to marketing plans (#1), editorial development, printing, distribution, publicity, fulfillment, and even rich media content development like video and audio. I've been involved with self-publishing since 1994, and plenty has changed in that time. There are really only two ways to make money in self-publishing; 1) Treat your book as a small business. (Which is definitely is.) This means that you have a product to market just like anything else. Professionalism in design, printing, and presentation are key. These are easy to come by, and don't cost a fortune. Margins can be excellent, especially as compared to many other small business ventures. 2) Treat your book as a promotional tool. If you have a large organization that you want to promote, augment, or add value to, a book is a great way to do that. I've had clients that just wanted to use their book as a business card - they gave away most copies. Or, they sold them at the back of the room when they gave lectures, or they offered the book as one of a variety of offerings, etc. After talking with many, many people about self-publishing for a long time, I have confirmed that everyone - I repeat - EVERYONE has a book in them. It is my belief that if one has developed a special skill or knowledge, it is our obligation to pass that on. Teaching is great, mentoring is better, but you can reach a lot more people with a well-crafted book than any other way. Don't let anyone tell you that self-publishing is too much work, not profitable, or that it's all an uphill battle. None of these things are true, and it's an extremely rewarding venture. Good luck - Peggy Richardson of TheEditorsBlog.com Hi Joe,
There’s a part of the picture related to self-publishing that you may be missing here. Self-publishing does not necessarily mean that one must engage a company like Jenkins, nor does it mean that the only other alternative is a POD (print on demand) provider.
I’m an editor who works almost exclusively with self-publishing authors. All my clients work in non-fiction, and their topics are mostly business-related. I’m a consultant, and I offer them options related to marketing plans (#1), editorial development, printing, distribution, publicity, fulfillment, and even rich media content development like video and audio. I’ve been involved with self-publishing since 1994, and plenty has changed in that time.
There are really only two ways to make money in self-publishing;
1) Treat your book as a small business. (Which is definitely is.) This means that you have a product to market just like anything else. Professionalism in design, printing, and presentation are key. These are easy to come by, and don’t cost a fortune. Margins can be excellent, especially as compared to many other small business ventures.
2) Treat your book as a promotional tool. If you have a large organization that you want to promote, augment, or add value to, a book is a great way to do that. I’ve had clients that just wanted to use their book as a business card – they gave away most copies. Or, they sold them at the back of the room when they gave lectures, or they offered the book as one of a variety of offerings, etc.
After talking with many, many people about self-publishing for a long time, I have confirmed that everyone – I repeat – EVERYONE has a book in them. It is my belief that if one has developed a special skill or knowledge, it is our obligation to pass that on. Teaching is great, mentoring is better, but you can reach a lot more people with a well-crafted book than any other way.
Don’t let anyone tell you that self-publishing is too much work, not profitable, or that it’s all an uphill battle. None of these things are true, and it’s an extremely rewarding venture.
Good luck – Peggy Richardson of TheEditorsBlog.com

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