Self v. Hybrid v. Traditional Publishing -- Which is better for you?

Publishing Options--How does one choose?

I am asked, almost on a daily basis, to explain the difference between self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing. This is mostly so that the person I'm talking to can choose the best option for them. And while I'm heavily biased toward self-publishing (a.k.a. indie/independent publishing), I do know the other options are the perfect fit for many aspiring authors.

I'm going to give a 30,000-foot overview on each option, complete with just three-ish of the benefits and drawbacks of each. There are, of course, many other aspects of each option--my goal here is to eliminate some basic confusion and provide clarity. Feel free to reply with your question(s), and I may address them in a response or even a future newsletter.

If, in the end, you think self-publishing might be a fit, grab some time on my calendar * so we can further discuss your options.

Let's start with traditional publishing.

What it is: A publishing house (usually in New York, LA, or London) publishes your manuscript using a team of experienced professionals who handle the editorial, design, and publication processes of the book.

The benefits:

• Your book is going to look, feel, and read amazingly well.?An experienced team of book nerds?(this is the highest compliment I can give) will touch every aspect of your book and do everything they can to ensure the quality standard is at the highest level.
• You'll have a seal of approval.?Having a publishing house publish your book means you get brand validation. It can amplify your career, expand your audience, even turn you into a household name.
• Low initial investment.?You don't have any initial out-of-pocket costs (save your marketing and PR outlay), and could even garner an advance depending upon your name and face recognition, as well as the size of your email list and social media following. The publishing house is taking the risk by investing in your book, and that will be reflected in your advance and royalty rates.

The drawbacks:

• Barrier to entry. Publishing houses usually only work with literary agents, who will require a book proposal. You'll need to find the agent who believes in your work, and then invest in getting a book proposal done before they can sell your book to a publisher. (If you want to go this route, I know a couple of excellent book proposal writers--just ask!)
• Time. Finding an agent, crafting a book proposal, and selling your book can take time (think six months to two years), and once your book is sold, it can take up to a year or even two for your book to be published. You'll have to have patience and a thick skin (but that's in life, too, right?).
• Control. The publisher has the final say on the content, timing, price, art and design, as well as how much they will do (or expect you to do) to sell your book. They'll want you to sell your books (and lots of them) as quickly as possible, for as long as possible.

This is a terrific option for someone who loves delegation and doesn't mind giving up some financial perks while still working hard to promote their books. I think if you're a celebrity, political figure, or well-known influencer, this could be the option for you. If this is you, and you have the budget for it, you also might want to explore my bespoke option that gives you the quality and control without any sacrifices.

Hybrid publishing is next.

What it is: A publishing house publishes your manuscript using a team of experienced professionals who handle the editorial, design, and publication processes of the book. Very similar to traditional publishing, with a much lower barrier to entry.

The benefits:

• Your book should look, feel, and read well. While the end product will vary depending on the house you use (do your research, and talk to previous authors and ask about their experience), you will usually get an experienced team working on your book.
• You have a team doing most of the work. Hybrid publishers take a finished manuscript (one you've written or paid a ghostwriter to write; you'll need to do the editorial piece as well) and publish it. You won't have to worry about cover or interior design, ISBNs, creating publish-ready files, or any of the other details (including publishing your book to retail platforms).
• Low initial investment. Hybrid publishers usually request an initial investment and some require you buy a number of books during the book's lifetime. This investment is quite reasonable for any professional (especially considering the many financial upsides to having a book)!

The drawbacks:

• You have to pay, and they keep a large percentage of the royalties. You have your initial investment(s) (for your ghostwriter and/or editing and proofreading + PR & marketing + book buys), and while they pay a higher royalty rate than traditional publishers, they still keep a piece of the action.
• Time. You are on their time-frame, and it still might take up to a year (or more) for your book to be published.
• Control. Hybrid publishers have the final say on the content, timing, price, art and design, as well as how much they will do (or expect you to do) to sell your book. Very often their designs aren't on-par with traditional publishing.

This is an option for someone who has some money to invest, but also doesn't have the time or patience for all the details or execution of said details. Out of the three, this is my least favorite option by a long shot.

Finally, self-publishing.

What it is: You publish your book, and handle the crafting, writing, editorial, design, publication and marketing processes of your book.

The benefits:

• You have complete freedom and control. You decide the content, creative aspects, and timing of your book, and you retain all of the financial rewards.
• You can change any aspect of the book at any time. You can release your book and then make changes almost immediately, in a year, or even a decade.
• You can use, give, or sell the book in any way you choose. Want to develop new business with your book? You can give away as many copies as you want (digital, audio, and print), and you can purchase them at the lowest per-book price (called "author copies," usually $2.50-$4/copy (paperback) and $6-$10/copy (hard cover), and ebook versions are free to giveaway). Want to create a companion guide, journal, or workbook or expand into a series? You can do these simultaneously or shortly after initial publication. Want to develop a keynote presentation, course, or other income stream? You own all the rights and can do whatever you'd like, on your own timeframe.

The drawbacks:

• You have a lot of work to do. There are dozens of details, and I advise against just "writing and publishing your book in a weekend" (or a month). Trying to figure everything out can be overwhelming, and there's a lot of meh, not-so-good, and downright horrible advice out there. You can make a mistake, not realize it, and the opportunity cost can be huge.
• Self-publishing isn't completely respected (yet). A lot of people still think self-publishing is for losers, and that's because a lot of people publish quickly and cheaply--and it shows. This opinion is changing daily, and you'll avoid most judgment by publishing professionally.
• The marketing is all on you. Wait, this is actually a drawback for all three options. I was hard-pressed to find a third drawback, and it is actually a myth that traditional and hybrid publishers do your marketing (and PR) for you. In fact, they'll most likely take you on because they think you'll do a bang-up job of selling books. But that's a story for another day. :)

Self-publishing, especially with a guide or someone to do it for you, is truly a solid option when it's done well.

What they all have:

• Distribution. Yup, that's right. While traditional and hybrid publishing models are known for getting your book "everywhere," self-publishing now has channels available, and you can get distribution to big box book stores, small/independent bookstores, and even giant retailers like Target and Walmart.
• The lists. You can hit a list (or "the list" ... The New York Times), but keep in mind this is almost always pay-to-play. My good friend and fellow author Tim Grahl (Your First 1000 Copies, 2nd Edition ) has a lot to say on the subject .
• The ability to help you boost your brand, get more business, and become the go-to expert. Which is why I believe You Must Write a Book, and then maximize it to monetize it. Writing and publishing a book is just the beginning--there are so many opportunities to sell or give away books and turn them into multiple income streams (or just generate more income from current income streams).

My outcome is always to provide insight, inspiration, and information you can use- to write, publish, and monetize your book. You're going to love being an author, and I'd love to help . In fact, I offer the option of teaching you how to do it yourself through my course Publishing Ph.D.

I even have an option where I handle every single detail. These books are Honoree Corder Bespoke Book Productions . You'll end up with the quality of a traditionally published book while retaining all of the goodness that comes with self-publishing, like this book by Matt Feret (he shares his experience here ), this one by 15-time World Series of Poke Winner Phil Hellmuth, this one by entrepreneur Dani Whitestone, and this whole series I did with Hal Elrod (author of The Miracle Morning ). There are two options, and you can find out more here and schedule some time with me to learn more here .

Can you tell I really do want you to write your book and get the most out of it? Whether you choose traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing, I hope you'll keep me posted!

Cheers to you, your book, and your future success!

To Your Success! Honorée Corder | [email protected] | HonoreeCorder.com

Book Spotlight:

As a woman of a certain age (ahem), I've always been curious about how to take excellent care of myself. I don't like downtime due to illness in particular. So, it was awesome to have certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Fertility Friday Podcast host Lisa Hendrickson-Jack take my very first Publishing Ph.D. Course back in 2018 and write The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility . This book is for any woman of any age, and it's certainly the book I wish I'd had as a young(er) woman. You can also learn more about Lisa and all of her amazing offerings at FertilityFriday.com .

P.S. Want to go back and review the previous emails in this series? Click here to view my newsletter feed !