Is Self-Publishing for You?

Authors who intend to self-publish often say things like,

I just want my story to be out there — the sooner, the better.

I want to keep all my profits.

I don’t want to have to build a platform.

And while these statements have merit — — self-publishing can be faster and, more profitable, and has fewer barriers than traditional publishing — I also believe that self-publishing is not as simple as it seems.

For starters, there’s a right way to self-publish and a wrong way to self-publish.

The right way is with intention, including a plan and strong project management skills. And probably an eye for design, a willingness to invest (money and time), as well as some patience.

The wrong way — which I see far more often — is thinking of self-publishing as an easy button to success. A quick way to get rich, to get your story out there, to be heard. But this is a mistake, often, because self-publishing can be the equivalent of shouting into a big, empty room.

Whether you plan to self-publish or try for a traditional book deal, you need a way to reach readers. And it’s not enough to have a plan.

You need to know who your audience is, where they buy books and why they buy books (or buy from you).