First of all, you need to partner with a publisher, a real publisher. Today the publishing world wants you to think you’ve got two options, “traditional publishing” or “self-publishing.”
“Traditional publishing” means that a “traditional publisher” offers you a “traditional” publishing contract, pays you a big advance on royalties, publishes, markets and distributes your book in bookstores at their cost, and sends you quarterly royalty checks as long as the book is selling.
Unfortunately, except for a very few celebrity status authors, this is a fantasy.
“Self-publishing” means that you, the author, are responsible for publishing, printing, warehousing, shipping, distributing, marketing, selling and even mailing your book. You pay for all of the costs of publishing upfront, whether you use the services of a “self-publishing” company or try to do all of the work yourself. Hopefully, after you’ve paid for and done all of the tasks involved in successfully producing, distributing, marketing and selling your own book, there will be a payday (or at least a reimbursement day) when readers find your book and begin buying it.
The cost, the work and the “aloneness” of self-publishing is a guaranteed reality. Unfortunately, the part about readers finding and buying your book isn’t guaranteed at all. And the odds aren’t in your favor.
Is there an alternative? Is there some sort of middle ground between “traditional publishing” and “self-publishing”?
There may be, but I’m not interested in middle ground. I’m interested in higher ground.
I’m not interested in creating a compromise between “traditional publishing” and “self-publishing.” I’m interested in creating something better than both.
We call it “New Publishing.” “New publishing” uses technology, talent and distributed infrastructure (that means we use the best editors, designers and printers in the world, not just the best in town) to create more beautiful, higher quality books than “self-publishers,” at far lower cost than “traditional publishers.”
New publishing also uses proven personalized marketing. That means touching your potential readers with your story, where they hang out; not taking out expensive ads that don’t work in magazines they don’t read or selling you 500 bookmarks and calling it a “marketing plan.”
Amazing technology and a simple analysis of who your most likely fans are and where they aggregate (hang out) allow us to (and train you to) target those who are likely to respond best to your message. Think of it as hitting a bulls-eye with a laser rather than a shotgun.
The cost of publishing your book is a reality. Somebody, the publisher or the author, has to cover those costs upfront for any book to become a reality. Ultimately, though, to be successful, your readers have to cover the cost by buying books.
I can show you how to reach your potential readers and begin selling your book before it’s printed.
My definition of a successful publishing experience is selling out the first print run, recouping your investment and making a profit soon after your book is launched.
That’s another unique characteristic of “new publishing.”
If you have a story to share with the world this year, if you’re ready to publish your book, please don’t believe that “traditional” or “self” publishing are your only options; they’re certainly not your best options.
True Potential and its imprints have published more than 300 books for 140 authors and we’ve sold over a million books.
We’re not a big company, as publishers go, but we see that as an advantage. We’re fast and talented, our costs are low and we know how to connect authors and readers without dragging an obsolete “traditional” bureaucracy into the mix.
If you’re ready to explore “new publishing”. I’d love to talk to you about your manuscript and where you are in the publishing process. Just complete the form below to schedule a free manuscript consultation.
Best success in the New Year,