I am a big believer in supporting upcoming and independent authors. Often, I will purchase books that I believe in, and often, I will read and review books that I believe in as well.
However, there is one problem that I often have. How do I prove to an author that I believe in, that I will be able to purchase their book?
Even with a generous 90% discount, my budget usually doesn’t stretch that far.
The Downside Of The Self-Publishing Platforms
Self-publishing is a game-changer when it comes to book marketing. It used to be that you would have to rely on traditional means of book distribution, such as bookstores and libraries. However, with the rise of the e-book, online retailers, and the self-publishing platforms, it’s now possible to create a professional-looking book that would look almost identical to a traditional published book. The only difference is that you would have to do all of the work yourself.
The upside is that it’s now possible to have complete control over the look of your book. You can design the cover, edit the content, and even test the market before you invest in a large print run.
Traditional Book Marketing
While self-publishing has brought many benefits to the book world, it has also created a few problems. One of the biggest problems is the fact that, for the most part, you are on your own when it comes to book marketing. You would have to spend a significant amount of money on social media ads, you would have to build a substantial online presence, and you would have to measure the effectiveness of all of this effort. It is a lot of work, and it is not easy to determine if all of this effort is actually paying off.
The Rise Of The Independent Author
One of the major benefits of self-publishing is that it has made it possible for independent authors to get their books out there. It used to be that you had to either be in collaboration with a major publisher, or else you had to find your own way to market your book. However, thanks to the rise of the self-publishing platforms, it is now possible to find an audience, build a reputation, and eventually become an independent author with a successful career.
The Bottom Line
In short, there are many benefits to self-publishing. However, because it’s such a competitive field, you have to put in a lot of work to ensure that your books stand out. On the other hand, traditional publishing still has its perks. If you can find a literary agent that can sell your book, they will be able to market it for you. Furthermore, you can often get input from editors and other professionals who can help you make your book the best it can be. For these reasons, I believe that self-publishing is definitely the way forward when it comes to writing. However, if you have the money, I would still recommend investing in traditional publishing simply because it is still the best way to go if you want to ensure that your book reaches a wide audience.