It’s a question that I get a lot from authors: “Should I produce a printed book?”
Like a lot of other things, the answer is often, “it depends.” But in general, I recommend that first-time authors who intend to self-publish forego producing a printed book—at least until they are able to start earning some money from the electronic version.
What are your goals for the book? Do you need a physical copy to have on hand for events? If so, you might change your strategy. But thinking like an entrepreneur, you don’t want to take on extra costs too soon.
We live in an age now where the cost of distribution has dropped to nearly zero. You can get your book in the hands of your readers for very little cost. That equation looks very different with a printed product, however. It will change your timeline for success, so make sure that your are clear about your goals so that you can make a good decision.
—
For more about Content Strategy for Authors, please see the “For Authors” section of this site.
To hire me for specific help with your content strategy, please see my “Helping Authors” page. I specialize in non-fiction authors, and the first “orienting” session is always free. Contact me directly here.