Some business models for startups create an opportunity for the startup to choose between traditional publishing of various products and to learn the benefits of self-publishing. Self-publishing requires learning new skills and entails some risks; but provides several interesting benefits. Naturally these vary with the type of published product.
Learn the benefits of self-publishing
- Management
- Receive a higher percentage of revenues or pay less for publishing. Expenses are deductible
- Increased control of pricing, format, length in pages, and content including revisions; and everything else; with risks varying for each project. Direct control of reprints. In a family owned startup it may be attractive to involve family members in the publishing process.
- Better control of quotations and other subsidiary rights
- Some think that self-publishing experience is advantageous when later negotiating a deal with a publisher
- Ability to publish in a timely manner and keep the product in-print
- Assuming the startup CEO is resilient; the self-publishing process changes the nature of rewards, criticism, acceptance and rejection
- Avoids the annoyance of dealing with publishers; in some cases eases publication of controversial material
- An opportunity to extend your understanding of your niche in new ways
- Opportunity for a broader and deeper publishing plan
- Marketing
- Lower marketing costs – You can market the product any way you want or sell or license it
- Opens new ways to reach end users
- Opportunities for collaborations with new types of teams
- In some cases you can provide information that would be expensive to provide via publishers
- Personal
- Opportunities to give and receive support with peers – camaraderie
- Will be self-satisfying to some
Conclusion
The primary benefits of self-publishing are receiving a higher percentage of the revenue and having more control. The primary disadvantages are required learning workload lack of experience and in some niches prejudice against self-published products.
References
Hits: 109