Is Self-Publishing the Best Choice for Freelance Writers?

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Maybe it’s taken weeks, months, or even years, but you’ve finally finished your book, and you can’t wait to share it with as many people as possible. When it comes to actual publishing, you could hire an agent, query a large mainstream publishing company, self-publish…there’s a myriad of options available to you. If you’re the most interested in self-publishing, there are several important aspects of the process that you should know about first before you deem it to be the best choice for your work.

Cost Effectiveness

You might think that self-publishing means not having to spend a lot of money. Well, that can be true in comparison to the agent/traditional publishing company route. Yet, on its own, self-publishing can still mean you spending hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.

What are the potential costs involved? Writing software aside, you might want to hire a proofreader and/or a copyeditor. Then, there’s a question of whether you want to have a graphic designer create the cover. Finally, fees might be associated with the platform/s that you choose to promote your book on.

You might want to make an aspirational list of all the services you’d like to purchase as part of the self-publishing journey. Then, research the costs, and make your high and low-end estimates from there. Be cautious, especially for businesses that promise to make your book a bestseller within a month or less. Think about what you can reasonably afford, and what you could confidently do on your own for the sake of savings.

By the way, if your chosen format is an eBook, make sure that you price it reasonably, not as if it’s a hardcover. After all, a book with an engaging fictional plot, or a nonfiction one that offers a lot of fresh information for a low price, will attract sales faster.

Taking Time

Self-publishing isn’t an instant process by any means. If you think that you can format your book, put it on a platform, and watch the sales start rolling in, you’re mistaken. In fact, self-publishing is synonymous with patience. You have to commit to daily marketing to make this successful, and with perseverance, audiences should start being receptive to your book. So, if you’re prepared for all eventualities, and crave the opportunity to present your work on your terms, then self-publishing just might be the best choice for you.

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