How can you choose the best publishing platform for self-publishing your book?

When selecting the best publishing platform for self-publishing your book, consider factors like distribution reach, royalties, ease of use, and available support services. Evaluate platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital to determine which aligns best with your goals and budget. Additionally, research each platform's terms and conditions, user reviews, and publishing options to make an informed decision that maximizes your book's visibility and potential for success.

A book should last for years, which means you need to put time, energy, and resources into creating a great product. A good platform or hybrid publishing company will work with you to create an excellent book. That will cost money. You get what you pay for, though. Working with a platform/company that charges more for editing or design but creates a top-notch book is always better than a cheap, rushed, half-baked product that reflects on you poorly. Keep in mind that 98% of the work a self-publishing service does is over once the book is published. So pay more up front to get a good product, but don't pay anything after you publish unless they are providing ongoing services you can't or don't want to do yourself.

When choosing a self-publishing platform, prioritize aspects such as user-friendliness, distribution options, royalties, marketing support, author control, and pricing. While assessing costs is essential for budget considerations, it's equally vital to weigh factors like potential profits, long-term viability, and pricing plan flexibility. Ultimately, select a platform that strikes the right balance between features and affordability to meet your publishing objectives efficiently.

When considering self-publishing platforms, scrutinize their fee structures. Some platforms charge upfront fees, while others take a percentage of your sales. You should also look out for hidden costs such as charges for revisions, cover design, or expanded distribution. Your goal is to maximize your profit while getting the best value for the services you need.

Unless the platform offers significant ongoing services, it's usually better to use one that sets you up with YOUR seller accounts on Amazon and IngramSpark, then releases the book to you. You make 100% of the profits and have 100% of the control. This means paying for services up front, but that's typically a cleaner, more transparent way to operate for self-publishing. It also means a little bit of a learning curve with regard to Amazon and IngramSpark, but the process is not hard, and it's an investment that pays off. Note: if you expect bulk sales, ask how those are handled and priced. A platform that handles these for you might be worth the fee.

Understanding the royalty rates offered by publishing platforms is key to your financial planning. These rates can vary significantly, and they determine how much money you'll make from each sale. Some platforms offer higher rates for exclusive distribution rights, while others have a flat rate regardless of where your book is sold.

Different platforms may support various book formats, such as eBooks, paperbacks, or audiobooks. Consider which formats are important for your target audience and choose a platform that supports them. For instance, if you're targeting tech-savvy readers, an eBook format might be essential.

Generally, eBooks are a no-brainer: they are cheaper and more convenient for many readers, and delivery is essentially free. Royalties are comparable or higher than print, so you don't really lose anything by offering this format. One exception could be illustration-heavy books, since since ebooks don't do well with images. Ebooks require technical know-how to create properly, so make sure to research how a platform handles them. Audiobooks are popular, but the market mostly belongs to Audible, and they only pay about a dollar per book sold. Audiobooks are also expensive to produce. I still recommend them because some people won't buy anything else, and if they love it, they will recommend it; but it's hard to make your investment back.

When selecting the best publishing platform for self-publishing your book, consider its distribution reach. Look for platforms with wide distribution networks, including major online retailers like Amazon, Apple Books etc. Evaluate their reach across different formats such as ebooks, print-on-demand, and audiobooks. Additionally, assess any potential marketing and promotional support offered by the platform to help increase visibility and sales. By prioritizing distribution reach, you can ensure your book reaches a broader audience and maximizes its potential for success in the self-publishing market.

Any platform should make your book available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, walmart.com, target.com, and many others. Don't be overly impressed by a long list of stores or sites, though: they all buy from the same limited wholesalers. The platform should publish your book through a combination of Amazon (retail sales) and IngramSpark or a similar company (wholesale supplier for bookstores and distributors). Make sure your platform does both, not just Amazon. By the way, this doesn't mean your book will be sold in physical stores, but it does mean it will be available if they choose to stock it. You can't control a seller's choice, but you can control whether they can get the book if they want it.

The platform you use to self-publish is one thing to consider, but no platform can replace an author's involvement in selling their book. You know your audience and topic better than anyone, and it will be up to you to get your book in front of their eyes and into their hands. That takes work. I often tell people that publishing a book is like having a baby. The real work begins AFTER it's born (with apologies to my wife, who definitely worked harder than I did during childbirth). Just because you launch your book doesn't mean anyone will buy it. Make sure you spend time thinking about who would want to buy it, where those people are, and how to let them know it exists.