If you're writing a book print on demand is something you'll likely want to investigate. The system, pioneered by large online booksellers, is touted as a responsibility-free way to become an author. It might work well for you depending on the kind of book you're writing and your expectations. On the other hand, there are many authors with broader expectations for whom it can be limiting. The phrase content creator is likely already familiar to you from the online world. When you go with on-demand printing, you are billed as an author but really are a content creator within the system.

The primary allure of print on demand is no upfront investment in inventory to print your book. But some also offer free ISBNs (with the on-demand printer listed as the publisher instead of you) and other similar perks. It may also limit where you can sell your books, and whoever sells copies keeps the customer data. It's valuable to on-demand printers to have a broad range of authors in their stable not only to keep their printing operations profitable but also to keep them influential. Authors who write for the sheer joy of producing books may find it helpful to them and brings much less responsibility.

How can I independently publish a book outside the print on demand system? To work outside the on-demand system and succeed, you must do two things. The first is to find a high-quality printer with economical rates and reasonable minimum quantities. The second is to find a top-quality book fulfillment house, and it's ideal when they can connect directly to your eCommerce setup. Selling books directly from your website increases your profits. It makes an excellent impression on your readers even better if the fulfillment service can ship your orders in branded packaging and with collateral.

You also develop direct relationships with your readers when printing and selling independently. Imagine the value of having a ready-made email list to promote your second or third book. It's the most direct (and reliable) way to sell your work. You can also offer people opportunities to follow you on social media and connect in other ways. Customer relationship building works well to sell books just like any other product. If you go with print on demand and never have access to your customer data, you're scrambling each time you write a book. Getting through to your target readers is the best marketing.