The digital revolution's most significant impact on the book industry has been the rise of self-publishing. Surprisingly it has not meant the death of the printed book, at least not so far. Today book printing services continue to thrive as more than eight in ten books are read as physical copies. There is incremental growth in eBooks and audiobooks, but they have yet to make printed copies obsolete. Many people still prefer the experience of reading books as they always have and keeping copies in their collections. Their preferences have implications for self-published authors.
Of all traditional media, it could be said that books are faring the best. Thanks to self-published authors, times have been challenging and competitive for legacy publishing houses, but the industry is growing. It's unlike TV, newspapers, and magazines that have been battered by online media and had their audiences shrink or go away completely. Even more encouraging for the book industry, many younger people have become avid readers (and book buyers). It helps ensure a brighter future for books. They will be a significant part of the media landscape in printed form for the foreseeable future.
What does all this mean if you're writing and independently publishing a book? You should take printing seriously and make it easy for people to buy copies. Because you'll be competing against books from many sources, take quality seriously. Hire a professional editor to help you finalize your content—the work with a cover designer on a great-looking cover. As you're nearing the launch date, consider working with a book marketing firm. Yes, plugging your book on social media helps, but it rarely compares to the boost you get from media coverage. It gives you stature as a published author.
How should I print my book? One of the easiest ways to answer the question is to look at others in your genre and then consider your content. You may go with the flow and publish a book that's easy to recognize for what it is. For example, a book about investing might have a green cover with artwork suggesting dollar bills. On the other hand, depending on your genre, you might go for something more abstract and unusual. If you go that route, be careful to keep the look easily understandable. Book shoppers aren't known for their patience; you want to spark their interest in your work.
