If you’re a writer planning to self-publish your work, you’re probably investigating print on demand books. Their popularity is based on the premise of making a profit while taking no risk holding inventory in the form of books you’ve printed ahead. There’s safety in a responsibility-free publishing arrangement for someone taking a chance on writing a book with no idea whether it will sell. But on the flip side, it cuts into profits and keeps a bookseller/printer between you and your readers. These sacrifices may be worth it if you’re risk averse, lack the funds to pay for book printing, or are unsure if your work will sell.
When you get into a print-on-demand (POD) set-up, you also may need to accept templates or pre-set items that make your book fit into a system. You may be disappointed if you want it to be image-building and have a unique branded look. If you print the book with a professional printer in advance, the floodgates open, and you can have more options. The dilemma self-publishers face is the need to keep costs down while competing effectively against high-quality books from traditional publishers. Regardless of publishing technique, everyone competes for the same readers with high expectations.
The other convenient feature of print-on-demand publishing is book order fulfillment. Authors trying to ship books to readers face a heavy workload, especially during busy periods. There are order fulfillment houses out there that can help. Anyone selling books in medium or large volumes can do better with outside printing and order fulfillment than staying inside the POD system. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and the best way to make your decision is to gather information and become well-informed. Writing and self-publishing a book that is popular and sells well can be lucrative.
Marketing your book will also be vital if you want to become a successful writer. Unless you’re already a celebrity and a book is an add-on to your fame, it takes work to be noticed. Hiring a publicist and planning a launch campaign always helps. There’s no doubt that online space is helpful for book promotion, but traditional media coverage also helps. Starting a buzz requires many elements working together. It also takes a well-designed website and ensures you have one before your first book is published. Just about everyone who hears about your book will check your website at some point.
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