Self publishing has both a long standing history, even Edgar Allen Poe self published. Technology today makes self publishing quick, easy, and as expensive or inexpensive as you want to make it. Best of all, consumers do not care who published you; all they care about is whether your information holds value and benefit for them. But this is not the only reason to self publish. Self publishing means you get 100% of the control of your book and 100% of the profits. Traditional publishing means you give up control and the majority of the profits.
Whether you self publish to build your current business or you are planning on using your book to launch a new business, you can easily make six figures and more each year by leveraging the fact that you are a published author.
Many authors miss major money making opportunities when they write their book because they are focused on the old publishing model. The model that says you write for years and years, suffer tons of rejection from the large publishing houses, and then finally on some golden day in the future, you make it big.
Traditional publishing definitely is not the fastest way to make a good income. Royalties are never what you think they will be and you are still responsible for promoting and marketing your book - with money from your own pocket. The only thing traditional publishing accomplishes is to place your book in bookstores, and to handle the printing and cover art decisions. You can do that on your own.
Want another truth? Selling books in bookstores can be one of the worst ways to monetize your book and your new business. Utilizing tools available to you via the internet and marketing your book online is now one of the most lucrative methods of selling books - no matter what the topic.
What most authors think of when they contemplate writing a book is heading to the bookstore to see their book on the shelves. What about seeing their book listed at Amazon.com or being able to visit their own website where they sell their book? While you can still go to the bookstore to see your book on store shelves, the internet has changed the face of publishing. Not only is it easier to self publish a book, the internet makes it easy to market your book and to sell it. Quite simply, the internet makes it easy to make a tremendous profit off of your book.
With the internet available 24/7 and accessed by billions all around the world, after you have written your book, it will be a sales person working all hours of the day and night just for you. People will purchase your book at anytime, day or night. As an author, you can literally make money in your sleep. Imagine waking up each morning and counting what you have made overnight!
Here is the last step that 'starving artists' do not know. Your book is only the first step in a line of products you can create. These products can be anything your imagination will allow you to create. Including information products, coaching, continuity programs consulting, public speaking, software, courses the list goes on and on. What will be your most effective marketing tool to sell all of your new products? Your book, of course.
It was the first time I overheard someone whisper "she's the author", as I walked into a book signing, that I suddenly realized that I had achieved something very special. Not only had I managed to get my book published, I now received respect and admiration from total strangers. Being an author even it today's digitized world, is still an awe-inspiring accomplishment.
In 2005 USA TODAY reported eighty-two percent of Americans say they plan to write a book someday. I think the critical word here is 'plan'. If you want to be someone who really does write a book, you can begin right now by understanding how being an author will improve your life.
Here is my top ten list why you should become an author today, especially if you are a spirituality, self help or personal growth expert:
Authors are recognized as experts by virtue of having a book with their name on the cover
The media loves authors (i.e. experts) and uses them often, on all levels
Being an author improves your chances of getting paid speaking engagements
While you may not become a millionaire from writing a book, you can certainly improve your chances of increasing your income
When you go to your high school reunion, you can finally shove your book under the noses of all who snubbed you in your teenage years
If you ever felt that you weren't 'smart enough', writing a book will certainly go a long way in curing that.
Being an author gives you a stronger sense of self-esteem
Your book will open doors and create business opportunities you wouldn't have received without it
Having a book gives you a platform for teaching workshops and seminars
Being an author is a great icebreaker at cocktail parties. (Hint: authors are often considered VIPs or celebrities! It's true!)
When I started writing my first book, it wasn't because I was sure I wanted Bill O'Reilly's producer to have my name in his Rolodex to call whenever he needed a 'mystical' New Age expert. (In fact I'm not sure I've ever wanted that at all!) I didn't devote hundreds of hours to stories of couples finding one another through magical, mystical ways just to impress strangers at a cocktail party. And I can definitely tell you I didn't write six books just to tell my old high school classmates about it.
I wrote because I had to. I had a story inside of me that wouldn't rest until I put it onto the page. The benefits of actually finishing the book and becoming a bona fide author and the other "reasons" were simply an afterthought.
I can do everything short of putting a cattle prod under you to get you started on writing your self help book, but, at the end of the day, writing has to be something you want to do. Sure, it's hard to sit down day after day and stare at a blank computer screen. I know how hard it is to tell your mom or your husband that you only typed two pages in an entire day. I can tell you hundreds of great things about being an author, but not a single one will really get you to the finish line.
What will get you down the home stretch is the satisfaction of knowing that you're being true to yourself. You dreamt of becoming an author because you had to. You envisioned title ideas and chapter outlines because they came to you and wouldn't go away. You told your friends you wanted to write a book because you could and you will.
You are an author, and you always have been. All you need to do now is make it happen. It might not be scintillating cocktail banter that puts a finished manuscript in your hands, but keeping your eyes on the prize can't hurt.
Both Bob Burnham & Arielle Ford are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bob Burnham has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, Writing and Marketing. For Your FREE MP3 (Value $97.00)How To Make A 6 Figure Income Writing & Publishing Your Own BookGo To: Bob BurnhamE. Bob Burnham's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Arielle Ford has sinced written about articles on various topics from Self Improvement and Motivation, Energy Healing and Writing. Arielle Ford is a world renowned publicist credited with launching the careers of Deepak Chopra and more than a dozen other New York Times best selling authors in the field of self help, spirituality and personal growth. To learn more, go to. Arielle Ford's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.