- April 19, 2021
How Improve The Profit From A Self Published Book
Self-publishing has changed the publishing world, with lots of new authors – and many without publishers.
Even if they master the technical side (and that can be complex and demanding for the POD printers), making a good profit can be tricky on a 350-page novel. You can get the services of self-publishing online through selfpublishingmadeeasynow.
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Here are some hints on how to turn a profit. Surely, self-publishing is very profitable? No, not always. Why so?
Well, the variable costs can be substantial for a decent-sized novel using POD publishing. The fixed set-up costs are, in general minimal, though a knockout book cover will cost a few hundred bucks from a truly professional designer.
Let's look at the math a self-publisher faces, using a company, round figures only, and short-run POD printing (though these costs are broadly applicable in other currencies, after conversion):
Now, if we want to get this ordered by the retail trade, we have to offer them a reasonable profit, say of 40%. So, the production cost of 4.55 is 60% of the final cost, and 3.04 is the 40% margin for the bookseller, making a total of 7.59.
Most of the retail chains will only take books 'on consignment', and the author / self-publisher will have to take a risk in that regard.
The best way to increase profit though is to get the sales volume up and invest in an offset printing run, which can reduce the cost per copy to 1 or much less for a 350-page novel.
This gives more flexibility to work at a lower cover price and at the same time make 3-4 per copy profit. This will require an investment in maybe a couple of thousand copies.
