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Reason to Self-Publish Number 4

Self-publishing and traditional publishing are both viable publishing methods. Each has its own function and should hardly be compared. However, I am daring to make a comparison to encourage those of you who have niche ideas to go ahead and publish your books. Though a traditional publisher will not be able to sell to a select few, you can. Your audience will appreciate your efforts.

You can probably think of many great reasons to self-publish. As you make your list of pros, many opportunities might come to mind. I've developed a list of reasons myself.  I love self-publishing and the do it yourself method is so far the most exiting way to get my books to those who need it. My list has included the benefits of controlling creativity and marketing your way and where it counts. The third reason I love self-publishing is that I am publisher and I receive all the money, minus expenses of course.

Money, Money, Money-Self publishers earn all the profit. Set your price, pay the distributor and keep the rest. As publisher, your costs can be as little as $100.00 to set up each title and about $5.00 for each book sold. This setup fee is required when using a supplier like Lightning Source. You can also use CreateSpace and pay less. However, after customers order your books, the book printer and distributor pays the author for the sale minus the print costs and any discounts authorized. If you order the books yourself, you will also be responsible for taxes and shipping.

I have signed contracts with other publishing companies that have paid 8% royalty. One publisher offered 2% royalty. Either way, work hard, write a book, earn a few bucks based on the sale price. This formula works with selling hundreds of thousands of copies. However with niche publishing, the few hundred to a thousand copies that you will likely sell, will pay very well. Consider a $25.00 book. With the self-publishing model, you work hard, write a book and keep about $12.00 after expenses and discounts. With another publisher, that could be as little as $1.44 depending on royalty and final sale price.

Self-publishers and traditional publishers should not be compared. Each serves a function. But, when the author is at the helm as a publisher they get to benefit the same way traditional publishers do. One of those ways is profit. Be sure to price your book fairly, set up a good discount for stores, and manage expenses.





Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing. Jeff is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. He also owns Red bike Publishing. Published books include: "Get Rich in a Niche-Insider's Guide to Self Publishing in a Specialized Industry" and "Commitment-A Novel". Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook". See Red Bike Publishing for print copies of: Army Leadership The Ranger Handbook The Army Physical Readiness Manual Drill and Ceremonies The ITAR The NISPOM
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