Self Publishing A Book Is Inexpensive and Simple

Self publishing a book has to be one of the most satisfying things you can do in your life. You will increase your value to society by offering information to people who seek it. You will have opportunities be offered to you without even looking - we are talking amazing and interesting opportunities you never considered possible before you wrote a book. You will make money while you sleep - internet bookstores do not close, they are open 24 hours. The question, however is how are you going to make it happen? Many people are thwarted by the idea that self publishing is only for the rich with an abundance of time on their hands. That idea could not be further from the truth.

Okay, well the truth is that ten years ago self publishing was for the rich who had an abundance of time on their hands. Sort of, it was called vanity publishing and it was mainly for folks who wanted to see their name in print. That was the perception anyway. Some very famous authors have self published including Edgar Allen Poe, Mark Twain, Upton Sinclair, ee Cummings, Virginia Wolf, Henry David Thoreau and even John Grisham. Some pretty famous writers got their beginnings in self publishing.

Okay so now you know that some very famous people have self published and that self publishing used to have a negative connotation. Today, with the invention and proliferation of internet usage, self publishing is now available to anyone who has something to say. In fact, it is so simple and inexpensive that there are almost 90,000 small publishers.

What makes it so easy?

Competition is a huge factor. Because the internet has made it so easy to publish, there are tons of fulfillment options, distributors, printers and even book writing tools. In fact, there are a number of tools you can use online to help you write and publish your book that are completely free. For example open office offers a word processing program. Weebly offers free website hosting and design and open source marketing tools.

In addition to free options and low cost printing there are an abundance of distribution and fulfillment centers.

Additionally, the internet makes it tremendously easy to research for your book, including research for the target market, your competition, and research for the book itself. The internet also makes it easy to market your book. A website and a few tools to drive traffic to your website and your book can take on a life of its own.

Lastly, the internet makes it easy to become a publisher. All of the information you need from naming and establishing your publishing company to applying for an ISBN number can be found and implemented online.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for Publishing Products and Services, magazine publishing, outsource book publishing, desktop publishing in India, self publishing in India, poetry publishing, publishing graphic, business to business desktop publishing, laser printing machine, printing machine, printing ink sellers, internet design services, and web design services.

The internet has made self publishing tremendously inexpensive and simple. All you need to publish a book is a little time and determination.

What's Wrong With Printing?

Publishing is often mistaken for printing. Though printing is an integral part of publishing, nevertheless it is a different business with its own set of challenges. This argument will not convince many who have dealt with printers who in their eagerness to secure the client's business readily undertake the publisher's job to the detriment of the final product. Unfortunately wily printers are adept at convincing clients that what they deliver is the best there is until a wary client puts paid to this by demanding a reprint or reduction in price for not delivering as requested. Some printers in all honesty do not themselves understand the role of a publisher. To compound the issue, there exist errant 'publishers' with no sense of the propriety, discipline and rigour of publishing, portraying their work as a published work.

Publishing starts with a concept. This image is usually in the head of an initiator. This person may be a junior person but in all major undertakings a senior executive sets the direction. When asked to get designs for the company's logo, I remember some years ago, its administrative manager calling up the printer. The importance of the logo, like the company's mission statement, cannot be emphasized enough in building a company image. The printer called will seek the help of a typesetter who will throw up some nice looking designs and after some presentations and discussions, in its haste to get things moving, the better looking of the designs submitted will be chosen. The company is then stuck with that design and image for years.

Though it's not uncommon for businesses to operate in the early years with a weak logo or even without one, there usually comes a time when they seek to differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Shouldn't the logo's relevance be studied in greater depth and the management be guided by professionals who relate passionately to designs as a livelihood? Design houses, advertising agencies and publishing houses are peopled by such creative bodies who look beyond the niceties to how the management wants the company to appear in the consumers' mind. MacDonald's and Singapore Airlines have logos that are strikingly symbolic of what the companies stand for.

A clear concept laid down by top management, interpreted professionally by a responsible designer, can well be the flag employees feel proud to fly. Design does matter and with publications, each has a character of its own and this has to be transparent. Think of all great books you have read and each will have a distinct character even if one is an adult fiction with an abridged content, and the other is a children's edition. Take Harry Porter books, the adult and children edition have different covers and presentations which give each a different character.

Design involves knowledge of the target audience, the format of the book, the type and size of fonts to use, the illustrations and pictures, colours to employ, type of paper to print on, etc. Each area, be it format, fonts etc has its own peculiarities that the experts use to produce as near perfect as possible.

Presuming the text is written (writing is another subject we won't discuss here), it would have to be set in an appropriate typeface, proofread and edited so that there is a good flow. Spelling and grammatical mistakes will not be permitted. A professionally managed publication will hardly have any such mistake.

Once the design is complete and the text is laid out, it is handed to the printer either as an artwork or in a CD format. The printer will then have to colour separate the pictures (if in colour) and ensure the reproduction is no worse than the original. Colour proofs are provided the client to verify and approve. The rest of the text is laid out according to a scientific layout so that they run page-wise consecutively and do not clash with overall positioning. The binding method, aside from reflecting the expectation of the market (for example, lawyers prefer hardbound books), also determines the pricing of the book. Books are generally bound as paperback, saddle-stitched or thread-sewn. Once the printing is complete and the printed sheets are folded and bound with the cover into a book, the printer has only to deliver the book.

If the book is meant for a restricted audience, the books are delivered to specified locations and the trail ends there.

However if it is to be made commercially available, publishing becomes more complex and requires the services of others who are experts in their field. Obviously a marketing plan must be in place and this would have helped to determine the retail price, print run, profits and so on. A good publicity programme will help to promote the book and raise public awareness of its availability. The author must also have considered the saleability of the book in foreign markets in which case he would have to engage foreign representatives (distributors). Dealings with distributors and retailers can be involved and for the uninitiated an exacting experience.

The marketing and distribution of books is a challenge worldwide and publishers employ various platforms to sell their books. This aspect of the business has to be fully understood before even engaging in writing and designing the book. I have had many authors approach me with a finished book asking me to sell to specific markets. However the pricing strategy employed would be wrong most of the time and the packaging may not be appropriate (for example, a hardcover novel is a poor proposition for certain markets).

I have attempted to dispel the misunderstanding that prevails between printing and publishing. Printing is a fascinating field and was my first love until publishing came along and swept me off my feet. I suppose knowing that I don't have to disown printing to engage in publishing makes it an easy transition. In fact, knowledge of the printing process has made publishing a more exciting proposition.

How to Be a Self-Publishing Millionaire

Self-publishing simply means writing, publishing and marketing your own work, maybe a novel or autobiography, poetry or family history, a newsletter or 'How To' book, or any of numerous other writing forms.

Self-publishing allows you to write what you want and market it any way you choose. The right titles and topics could earn you a fortune.

REASONS FOR SELF PUBLISHING

- To see your name in print.

- As a keepsake or heirloom. Family histories are useful examples, as are autobiographies, diaries and poetry.

- To enhance one's image and standing. Doctors, dentists, lawyers and other professionals frequently self-publish to enhance their professional image and standing with colleagues.

- As a form of advertising. Some self-published products are little more than advertising vehicles for other of the writers' goods and services. Mail order newsletters are a notable example.

- For money.

This blueprint is written with the latter objective in mind.

WHY DIY?

Why bother with self-publishing? Why not instead offer your book for someone else to publish and market?

Generally speaking, traditional publishers are only interested in high volume sales, to wide markets and for items with a long-shelf life. Getting a mainstream publisher to handle your work can be a very long and painful process. There's no saying you will be successful and even big names face their share of rejection. Frederick Forsyth's 'The Day of the Jackal' apparently had 19 rejections and one of Jeffrey Archer's most popular works got 18, showing publishers don't always get it right.

VANITY PUBLISHING V SELF-PUBLISHING

The two are frequently confused, although few similarities actually exist. Vanity publishing generally means having someone else print, publish and market your book for you. Costs can be high and benefits not always proportionate. For products intended as gifts for family and friends, vanity publishing can be a worthwhile option; no always so for commercial products.

That said, however, there are numerous firms - not vanity or subsidy publishers - who can print and publish for you, leaving you to concentrate on marketing and distribution. Such firms can be found advertising in most writers' newsletters.

FAMOUS SELF-PUBLISHERS

America boasts a wealth of super-successful self-publishers, including heads of multi-million dollar publishing companies. Names like Joe Karbo, Dr. Jeffrey Lant and Melvin Powers spring readily to mind.

WHAT CAN BE SELF-PUBLISHED?

Virtually anything can be self-published profitably to a greater or lesser extent. Novels, poetry, short stories, local and family histories, newsletters, autobiographies and 'How To' books are all worthy examples.

MOST PROFITABLE AREAS OF SELF-PUBLISHING

The most successful products are those that fulfill universal needs or desires, especially where they contain information not available elsewhere. Examples include:

- Directories (e.g. Designer Clothes Discount Guides, Factory Shop Guides).

- Newsletters (e.g. Business Opportunities Digest).

- 'How to' books (e.g. '£100,000 in My First Year Just by Working Weekends', 'Last Chance Guide to Financial Success').

' Self-Help Books (e.g. 'How to Flatten Your Tush', 'How to Talk to Your Cat').

The above are examples of topics and do not indicate self-published titles.

WHAT INVESTMENT IS NEEDED?

This depends on a number of things including the length of the finished product, whether it is to be typeset and who is responsible for typesetting, what printing and binding methods are used, size of the initial print run and what marketing and distribution methods are involved.

Generally speaking, most first-time self-publishers opt for a low print run with the majority of capital reserved for aggressive marketing. Profits are subsequently ploughed back into longer print runs.

BENEFITS OF BEING YOUR OWN PUBLISHER

* Cuts out the middle man and generates higher profits for you.

* No working to someone else's deadlines.

* Total control over your work, from conceiving the idea to researching and writing, to printing and publishing, advertising and distributing.

* Very cost-effective if handled properly.

* Allows virtually anyone to compete with big names writers and publishers.

* Self-publishing is a business like any other, offering freedom, the chance to work your own chosen hours, work where you like, etc.

* Massive potential market for some titles.

DRAWBACKS TO BEING YOUR OWN PUBLISHER

Some outside help might be necessary for various aspects of your project and costs can be high. This might involve help with writing and editing, proofreading, desktop publishing, printing, marketing. Do as much as you can yourself, as long as quality is good.

WHAT YOU CAN EARN

Ask most people about profits in publishing and they'll turn to the bestseller lists, mainly compiled for sales through book shops. A more accurate guide would include other methods of marketing and distribution, primarily mail order. In 'How to Publish a Book and Sell a Million Copies', Ted Nicholas explains that another of his books 'How to Form Your Own Corporation Without a Lawyer for Under $75' has been among the top 10 nonfiction bestsellers in the United States for over 20 years, but has never appeared on a bestseller list. The main reason he sells it himself, by mail order.

PRACTICAL TIPS

- Be realistic about your initial print run. Don't be too ambitious and be saddled with lots of unsalable stock. But don't underestimate popularity either. Extra print runs frequently mean higher costs than a larger initial print run.

- Have readers finance your printing costs by obtaining orders before you print your book, even before you research and write it. Legally, you are not allowed to offer anything for sale unless adequate supplies are available. So be careful how you word your advertisement or direct mail copy. A 'pre-publication' offer is usually acceptable. Offering your book this way has other benefits, including allowing you to test the market for your book and to test the optimum price where the product is offered at different prices and response rates and profits compared. If results aren't satisfactory, you can issue refunds.

- Some writers simply do not have a head for business. If this sounds like you, have someone else concentrate on publishing and marketing your products while you devote time to writing.

- Be careful about pricing. What you charge will affect your advertising strategy and viceversa.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for Publishing Products and Services, magazine publishing, outsource book publishing, desktop publishing in India, self publishing in India, poetry publishing, publishing graphic, business to business desktop publishing, laser printing machine, printing machine, printing ink sellers, internet design services, and web design services.

- Consider various printing and publishing options. Desktop publishing produces a quality look and can be introduced to most computers. For binding your products, consider the many options from saddle-stitching (basically stapling), to comb binding and heat binding (both need special equipment).

Book Printing Tips - Five Questions to Ask Your Printer

If you are publishing a book and have chosen to print the books traditionally (using an offset method), then you will probably be sending out Requests for Quotations (or "RFQ") to various book printers. Before doing this, it might be helpful to learn a bit about each book printer, since the resulting price quote is heavily dependant on the machinery they use. Any deviation from their standard machine processes will result in an increase in your quote. Make sure you ask the following questions before submitting your RFQ:

1. "What is your standard signature page count?"

Book printers have different signature page counts. Although printers can usually print in smaller page increments (page counts divisible by 8, for example) you will get the cheapest price if your page count adheres to their standard signature -- usually 24 or 32 pages. You may need to tweak your print-ready files to adhere to their signature count.

2. "What kind of process will you be using to print this book?"

Two basic types of machines -- a web press and a sheet-fed printer -- are the most common. Web presses are common for larger runs (2,000+ books), and sheet-fed printers are used for smaller runs. Both machines may have different signature page counts, but the resulting book is usually the same. Digital presses are fine for extremely small runs (500 or less) but the cost per book will be high, and the quality and printing consistency will not be as good as with a traditional press.

3. "What are the price differences for different quantity orders?"

Usually your RFQ will allow for the quote of different quantities of books. For example, they may quote you on 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 copies. You will see that the price per book goes down as the quantity increases. Depending on a lot of factors (including your projected retail price), you should try to get the book's price below $2.00 a copy for a standard paperback.

4. "What is your cheapest paper, cover stock, trim size, etc.?"

Trim sizes are pretty standard (such as 5.5" x 8.5"). If your book requires a nonstandard trim size, the book price will go up. More than likely your printer will have a variety of paper and cover stocks, and unless your book calls for a specific kind of stock, it is best to use what the printer can get for the cheapest price.

5. "Do you offer discounts?"

An important (and often overlooked) question is whether the printing company will offer you a discount if certain criteria are met. For example, if you choose to print during a month of their choosing (when their incoming orders are low), or are print multiple titles with them at the same time, they might offer you a percentage off the RFQ for the total job. While discounts are not always given, it never hurts to ask, especially if you have worked with the same printer multiple times.

Printers are usually very understanding and will be happy to answer these questions either before the RFQ or on the RFQ itself. For example, you may choose to ask "Please quote me on the cheapest page count between 200 and 250 pages for the following quantities..." and they will assist you with getting the most bang for your buck.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for Publishing Products and Services, magazine publishing, outsource book publishing, desktop publishing in India, self publishing in India, poetry publishing, publishing graphic, business to business desktop publishing, laser printing machine, printing machine, printing ink sellers, internet design services, and web design services.

Self Publishing - What Will it Cost You?

On of the big concerns people have regarding self-publishing their newly completed book is cost. How much is this going to cost me? It's a valid concern and there are many different opinions. In which format do you want to publish - e-book, paperback, hard cover? Are you trying to make a living as an author? Is this just a hobby? Is your book for family and friends? Do you want to be famous with readers all over the world? The answers to these questions will help determine the cost.

Publishing your book as an e-book is the least expensive way to publish. E-books can be published for free in some cases. Although, most people incur some cost. To sell your book as an e-book all one needs to do is convert the manuscript into a PDF and set up a way for customers to pay for and download your book.

I am going to list all the steps involved in producing a professional book and a range of their costs. What you actually pay will depend on what you can do for yourself, how you outsource what you need to have done and whether or not you purchase a publishing package utilizing an independent publisher, print-on-demand (POD) or a vanity press.

• ISBN - $40 - $125. If you plan on selling your book through bookstores or online stores such as Amazon your book needs to have an ISBN. These can be purchased directly from Bowker or one can be assigned from a variety of publishing companies. Sometimes included for "free" in publishing packages
• Bar Code - $25 - $50. Selling your books in traditional brick and mortar bookstores require that your book have a bar code.
• Editing - $.025 - $.12 per word. This price varies greatly depending on how extensive and the type of editing you need.
• Proof-Reading - $199 - $500 or more. Varies based on your connections and how long your book is.
• Formatting/Interior Layout - $149 - $750. Once again depends on how much work needs to be done and who you hire. POD companies have several templates to choose from. An independent publisher may cost slightly more but your format/layout will be just like a traditionally published book.
• Cover Design - $100 - $1000. What type of cover do you need/want? A totally custom cover will cost significantly more than a cover based on a simple template.
• Printing - $2.00 - $20.00 a copy or more. This could be the most expensive cost you will incur. This is cost is based on: number of pages, page size, type of paper used and last but not least - the number of copies printed. Discounts are given as the quantities increase. It is cheaper to use digital printing up to 250-500 copies depending on the printer and offset printing for 500 copies or more. It is not uncommon for authors to print 1000-2500 copies on their book.

As a general cost range for someone that wants to independently publish their book (not POD), prepare to spend between $2500 - $6500. That should allow you to produce a professional book and receive between 250-1000 paperback copies of your books.

If you use a vanity press or POD publisher your price range will be between a few hundred dollars up to $10,000 or more. On the low end you will receive 0-5 copies of your book and on the high end you will receive a number of paperback copies, a few hard covers and one leather bound copy as well as a number of marketing tools.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for Publishing Products and Services, magazine publishing, outsource book publishing, desktop publishing in India, self publishing in India, poetry publishing, publishing graphic, business to business desktop publishing, laser printing machine, printing machine, printing ink sellers, internet design services, and web design services.

E-book publishing can be free or close to free up to several thousand dollars for someone that needs extensive editing, proofing, interior and cover design.

America's Publishing Companies

VIZ Media, LLC is one company located on San Francisco, California. They do not only focus on publishing but also do animation. They are a licensing company, focused on the publication and distribution of the Japanese manga for English speaking audiences. They are also a licensor of the Japanese manga and animation. They also publish the magazines SHONEN JUMP and Shojo Beat.

VIZ Media makes videos, graphic novels, DVDs, and audio soundtracks. They develop and market all kinds of animated entertainment for initial production, television placement and the distribution. After developing and marketing, they do the merchandise licensing and afterwards the promotions for consumers of all ages.

The main goal of VIZ Media LLC is to develop novels into movies of TV series. Aside from developing projects from the own library of the company, they are planning to apply as liaison of the Japanese creative licensor and the studios and production houses in Hollywood. This would then involve all aspects of development. This will make the company a full pledge production house.

Another reputable company is the Publishing Group of America (PGA). This is located at the Cool Spring Boulevard Suite, Franklin. It acts as a media publishing company. They publish magazines, newspapers and books. They are the publishers of the American Profile, a weekly newspaper that gives information about places, people and things in America.

PGA also has the Relish, a newspaper-distributed magazine coming out monthly. The magazine gives tips for cooking, recipes and the newest kitchen products. They also provide cookbooks. This is also the company that published Spry, a newspaper providing facts and articles about diet, health, recreation, and leisure activities. The Hometown Content magazine is also their publication, released weekly and daily.

The Publishing Group of America Inc launched Spy just this year. This is a health-themed supplementary newspaper. This features tips from celebrities and advices from experts. Another publication, the HealthyStyle, will be celebrating its debut this year. HealthyStyle follows the newest parade spinoffs under new and penetrated ad categories. Lastly, there are editorial-produced sections of single-topics only. This is called the Selects. It has a variety of subjects but is to be sponsored by just a single advertiser.

Larry Flynt Publications (or LFP) Inc is located in Wilshire Boulevard Suite, Beverly Hills, CA. they produce pornographic content like videos and magazines. This is has three divisions - Broadcast, Internet and Video divisions. This includes numerous web sites, Hustler Mobile, Hustler TV and the production/distribution of all Hustler and VCA DVDs.

Carpe Diem is a Wiley Company in Floral Vale Boulevard, Yardley, PA. This operates a controlled circulation publication. It publishes Food Quality, Pharmaceutical Formulation & Quality and Contamination Control. Food Quality is a magazine on food safety and quality in United States of America.

Pharmaceutical Formulation & Quality covers trends and advances for product formulation, development, regulations, quality control, and drug delivery to readers in Europe and North America. Contamination Control covers technology and methods used in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals and medical devices to prevent contamination while manufacturing. This company has been a subsidiary company of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for Publishing Products and Services, magazine publishing, outsource book publishing, desktop publishing in India, self publishing in India, poetry publishing, publishing graphic, business to business desktop publishing, laser printing machine, printing machine, printing ink sellers, internet design services, and web design services.

There are many more publishing companies in United States that offer substantial reading references. If you are planning to publish something that you have written, choose the one that is known by people for some many publications that they have published.

How to Be a Self-Publishing Millionaire

Self-publishing simply means writing, publishing and marketing your own work, maybe a novel or autobiography, poetry or family history, a newsletter or 'How To' book, or any of numerous other writing forms.

Self-publishing allows you to write what you want and market it any way you choose. The right titles and topics could earn you a fortune.

REASONS FOR SELF PUBLISHING

- To see your name in print.

- As a keepsake or heirloom. Family histories are useful examples, as are autobiographies, diaries and poetry.

- To enhance one's image and standing. Doctors, dentists, lawyers and other professionals frequently self-publish to enhance their professional image and standing with colleagues.

- As a form of advertising. Some self-published products are little more than advertising vehicles for other of the writers' goods and services. Mail order newsletters are a notable example.

- For money.

This blueprint is written with the latter objective in mind.

WHY DIY?

Why bother with self-publishing? Why not instead offer your book for someone else to publish and market?

Generally speaking, traditional publishers are only interested in high volume sales, to wide markets and for items with a long-shelf life. Getting a mainstream publisher to handle your work can be a very long and painful process. There's no saying you will be successful and even big names face their share of rejection. Frederick Forsyth's 'The Day of the Jackal' apparently had 19 rejections and one of Jeffrey Archer's most popular works got 18, showing publishers don't always get it right.

VANITY PUBLISHING V SELF-PUBLISHING

The two are frequently confused, although few similarities actually exist. Vanity publishing generally means having someone else print, publish and market your book for you. Costs can be high and benefits not always proportionate. For products intended as gifts for family and friends, vanity publishing can be a worthwhile option; no always so for commercial products.

That said, however, there are numerous firms - not vanity or subsidy publishers - who can print and publish for you, leaving you to concentrate on marketing and distribution. Such firms can be found advertising in most writers' newsletters.

FAMOUS SELF-PUBLISHERS

America boasts a wealth of super-successful self-publishers, including heads of multi-million dollar publishing companies. Names like Joe Karbo, Dr. Jeffrey Lant and Melvin Powers spring readily to mind.

WHAT CAN BE SELF-PUBLISHED?

Virtually anything can be self-published profitably to a greater or lesser extent. Novels, poetry, short stories, local and family histories, newsletters, autobiographies and 'How To' books are all worthy examples.

MOST PROFITABLE AREAS OF SELF-PUBLISHING

The most successful products are those that fulfil universal needs or desires, especially where they contain information not available elsewhere. Examples include:

- Directories (e.g. Designer Clothes Discount Guides, Factory Shop Guides).

- Newsletters (e.g. Business Opportunities Digest).

- 'How to' books (e.g. '£100,000 in My First Year Just by Working Weekends', 'Last Chance Guide to Financial Success').

' Self-Help Books (e.g. 'How to Flatten Your Tush', 'How to Talk to Your Cat').

The above are examples of topics and do not indicate self-published titles.

WHAT INVESTMENT IS NEEDED?

This depends on a number of things including the length of the finished product, whether it is to be typeset and who is responsible for typesetting, what printing and binding methods are used, size of the initial print run and what marketing and distribution methods are involved.

Generally speaking, most first-time self-publishers opt for a low print run with the majority of capital reserved for aggressive marketing. Profits are subsequently ploughed back into longer print runs.

BENEFITS OF BEING YOUR OWN PUBLISHER

* Cuts out the middle man and generates higher profits for you.

* No working to someone else's deadlines.

* Total control over your work, from conceiving the idea to researching and writing, to printing and publishing, advertising and distributing.

* Very cost-effective if handled properly.

* Allows virtually anyone to compete with big names writers and publishers.

* Self-publishing is a business like any other, offering freedom, the chance to work your own chosen hours, work where you like, etc.

* Massive potential market for some titles.

DRAWBACKS TO BEING YOUR OWN PUBLISHER

Some outside help might be necessary for various aspects of your project and costs can be high. This might involve help with writing and editing, proofreading, desktop publishing, printing, marketing. Do as much as you can yourself, as long as quality is good.

WHAT YOU CAN EARN

Ask most people about profits in publishing and they'll turn to the bestseller lists, mainly compiled for sales through book shops. A more accurate guide would include other methods of marketing and distribution, primarily mail order. In 'How to Publish a Book and Sell a Million Copies', Ted Nicholas explains that another of his books 'How to Form Your Own Corporation Without a Lawyer for Under $75' has been among the top 10 nonfiction bestsellers in the United States for over 20 years, but has never appeared on a bestseller list. The main reason he sells it himself, by mail order.

PRACTICAL TIPS

- Be realistic about your initial print run. Don't be too ambitious and be saddled with lots of unsalable stock. But don't underestimate popularity either. Extra print runs frequently mean higher costs than a larger initial print run.

- Have readers finance your printing costs by obtaining orders before you print your book, even before you research and write it. Legally, you are not allowed to offer anything for sale unless adequate supplies are available. So be careful how you word your advertisement or direct mail copy. A 'pre-publication' offer is usually acceptable. Offering your book this way has other benefits, including allowing you to test the market for your book and to test the optimum price where the product is offered at different prices and response rates and profits compared. If results aren't satisfactory, you can issue refunds.

- Some writers simply do not have a head for business. If this sounds like you, have someone else concentrate on publishing and marketing your products while you devote time to writing.

- Be careful about pricing. What you charge will affect your advertising strategy and vice versa.

- Consider various printing and publishing options. Desktop publishing produces a quality look and can be introduced to most computers. For binding your products, consider the many options from saddle-stitching (basically stapling), to comb binding and heat binding (both need special equipment).

MARKETING

The most common marketing methods employed by self-publishers are direct marketing (mail order) and direct mail.

Direct marketing means advertising your product in appropriate publications, using classified or display advertisements or a combination of both.

Direct mail means offering your products by post, usually to prospects identified from mailing lists. These are available from various sources including competitors, other mail order and direct mail specialists and mailing list brokers.

Numerous books are available to explain the basics of marketing by mail order and direct mail. Other ways to market your products.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for Publishing Products and Services, magazine publishing, outsource book publishing, desktop publishing in India, self publishing in India, poetry publishing, publishing graphic, business to business desktop publishing, laser printing machine, printing machine, printing ink sellers, internet design services, and web design services.

- Press Release. A simple letter providing information about you, your book and what benefits it has for readers can generate hundreds of sales through appropriate sources. One Canadian publisher reports tens of thousands of sales for two books promoted by press release through international newspapers and magazines. Copies should also be sent to television and radio stations local and national.

- Through bookshops. This can mean negotiating wholesale terms through major outlets or offering copies on a 'sale or return' basis through independent retailers. Increase profits by holding autograph parties in larger bookshops.

- Write a course about self-publishing or organise classes, seminars and lectures. Offer your book to students and participants.

- Write articles and readers' letters about your book or its subject. Alternatively, write about something else in return for a mention for your book.

- Where appropriate, market your book through schools, colleges, book clubs, local history groups, or other appropriate organisations.