Should You Self-Publish Your Book? | Forbes

Many authors spend a lot of time investigating how to publish their book. Here's a quick crash course in how self-publishing and commercial publishing differ, as Elaine Pofeldt, Journalist, content strategist, blogger and ghost writer reports.

Both self-publishing and commercial publishing can be profitable for entrepreneurs turned authors. But it's important to know how they differ before you come up with a plan of action.
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As a ghostwriter, I often hear from prospective authors who would like to write a book but are on the fence about whether to self-publish it or try to find a commercial publisher.

Many of these budding writers are entrepreneurs—whether solo professionals or founders of scalable companies—who want to raise the profile of their business to bring in more clients or speaking engagements, or who want to establish themselves as thought leaders.

These days, this is a tougher choice than it was in the days of "vanity" publishing houses. Self-publishing has come a long way since then, and you can earn money and build your reputation with both types of publishing. However, the experience of commercially publishing versus self-publishing is very different. It’s important to have a general sense of how they differ before you start your book, because commercial publishing requires some extra steps up front. Here’s a look at how they compare in some key areas.

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Source: Forbes