Self-Publishing Shouldn't Mean Cheap Publishing

There are a lot of self-publishing providers out there nowadays. Many of those companies offer "low-cost" or "cheap" publishing services. As an author myself, I know how tempting it can be to choose a cheap service instead of a premium service. I struggled with this early on when I was putting together my own book, Unconventional (this was before I started offering services through MindStir Media). One company said it could publish my book for $1000 (including the cover design) and someone else offered to design the book cover for the $1000. $1000 for only a book cover is a little steep, but this professional's work was far superior to the cover design samples from the other company. I decided to go with the premium book cover design. It set me back $1000 but I wanted quality and I was willing to pay for it. I wasn't writing or publishing as a hobby; I wanted to make a living from it. I honestly believe the book cover for Unconventional has helped attract sales. I've sold over 100,000 copies of Unconventional to date, so I'm very pleased with the outcome...

If you're serious about your writing career and you want others to take you seriously, you absolutely need to focus on quality. Premium self-publishing services usually command premium prices but the money is well worth it in the long-run. If you use a cheap book designer, for instance (or a cheap printer, etc. etc.), and aren't willing to invest in your book, why would anyone be willing to invest the $10 to $15 it takes to purchase your book? Your cheap-looking book will scare away potential customers and you'll be very disappointed with the outcome. The old adage stands true for self-publishing: You have to spend money to make money.