In previous installments of this series we talked about the advantages and disadvantages of Traditional Publishing and Self-Publishing. In this article, we will continue to explore the publishing options by talking about Print-on-Demand publishers, Vanity Presses and similar solutions. alternativehealthdirectory

If you are an entrepreneur, you may be used to solving your problems with your checkbook. Sometimes the quickest, easiest strategy is to simply pay someone to accomplish the task you are facing. Real estate millionaire Ron LeGrand was once asked about the best way to kill termites in the homes that he bought. LeGrand replied, “The best way to kill termites is to write a check. Write a big check to the right people, and they die.”

Print-on-Demand and Vanity Presses are very similar to that model. If you’ve got a completed manuscript, and you want it published fast, showwhatsinside simply write them a big check and like magic, your book is published. If you are planning to release a book as part of your business strategy, then this might be just the solution you are looking for.

Here’s the way it works: There are companies out there that will publish your book for you, without questions. They will handle all of the details, such as layout work, cover design, gaming tips legal paperwork (ISBN numbers, Bar Codes), and more. Then, once the process is set up, they will print copies of your book as you need them. That is, if five people buy your book, they will print five copies and send them out. This is known as “Print-on-Demand.” If there is a demand, they will print. Otherwise they will not print the book. No inventory costs!

In exchange for this service, they require an upfront fee, and a certain percentage of each book ordered.

To many of you, this may sound like the ideal compromise between traditional publishing and self-publishing. But there are, of course, some drawbacks to this method. Let’s take a look at a few.

1. Upfront Cost – It’s going to take some cash up front to play this game. Sometimes thousands of dollars. And even after you’ve paid these fees, you still don’t have an inventory of books to sell. You have to buy those separately.

2. Limited Input – Most Print-on-Demand solutions will let you make some suggestions on cover art and other production decisions, but the final say will still be theirs. You may be able to ask them to make a few changes, but the final result will be a negotiated compromise.

3. High Cost Per Book – As you can imagine, if they are going to print your book “on demand” in small runs of one or two, the Per Book cost is going to be much higher than standard. Your paperback book that looks identical to others on the shelf costing $5.99 may be priced at $23.99, or possibly higher. If you choose to go with this publishing option, you must resign yourself to the fact that your book will be the highest priced in the section.

4. Lack of Ownership – One thing that most people overlook is that they are giving up some rights to the book. You will not own the ISBN number, and you will not be able to reproduce, goodsandnaturals reprint, or resell the book without going through the Print-on-Demand company.

Some of these drawbacks may mean nothing to you, or they may become “deal-breakers.” It really all depends on what your goals are for getting your book in the hands of readers.

Understanding all of your publishing options certainly brings you one step closer to a successful book. But nothing happens until you can interest people in buying it. So what should you do next? What can you do to entice people to try your book? indobet