Table of contents:
The vast majority of my clients come to me planning to publish a hard copy book. Not necessarily hardcover, because paperback is lighter and less expensive, but they want a tangible, physical book.
I don’t blame them, since print books are still considered the gold standard in building credibility and authority.
In Praise of Print
A print book has a “thud factor” — the satisfying sound it makes when you drop it on a desk. The heavier the book, the deeper the sound.
A print book also has a laundry list of potential uses. You can use it as a direct mailer to send to prospects and current clients as evidence of your expertise. You can bundle it with speaking engagements as a value add. You can assign it to students in the college courses you’re teaching as an adjunct, as well as many other promotional opportunities that are easier when you have a physical item.
People don’t generally throw books away, so your title will have permanence.
The two big downsides of print books are the speed and the cost.
No matter which type of publisher you’re working with, a print book will take longer because of all the pre-production work required. After the editing and proofreading, there is the page layout and print preparation, followed by the actual printing. Then the printed pages have to dry before they can be bound together.
I don’t think anyone has ever referred to printing a book as a “speedy” process. It’s not.
As for cost, if you’re working with a traditional publisher, your agreement likely requires that they pay for production. The tradeoff is that the speed of production is typically much slower than that of hybrid and independent presses. Hybrid publishers do require that you pay for production and printing, but it is possible to expedite the process.
Given the time required for books to be printed, there are many situations where it can make sense to release a digital version first. This would be in advance of your official release date.
You can still follow it with a hard copy book, but digital-first can help ensure you don’t miss any marketing opportunities that are time-sensitive.
The Digital-First Approach
Digital-first publishing allows you to get your ideas out into the market faster. In many cases, your book can be available in weeks versus months.
This can be critical when you’re addressing timely topics, a competitor is also working on a book, or in industries where obsolescence is a concern. You need yours out there first.
In addition to speed of availability, since digital-first means your manuscript is formatted digitally for availability online as an e-book, your potential reach is massive. When the electronic version of your book is available on platforms from Amazon Kindle to Google Play Books to Apple Books, buyers worldwide have access. There’s no shipping delay to get to the other side of the globe.
I’m not saying that this is an either-or situation, however. You can and should still proceed to release a print version of your book, but if time is of the essence, lead with a digital version while the hard copy is in production.
Print as a One-Two Punch
Physical books carry more weight as evidence of your accomplishments than digital versions. For that reason, business leaders building their personal brand will want to proceed with a print version.
Another important reason to proceed with a hard copy book is that traditional media outlets, conference organizers, colleges and universities, and corporate buyers prefer to see hard copy books. A print book is a tangible credential that digital-only authors lack.
Sequential Release
Frequently, it’s smart to release both versions of your book in staggered fashion: first comes the digital format, followed by print weeks later.
Launching a digital version first allows you to capture market attention.
The other advantage of leading with a digital version is that you can get reader feedback. This can be useful if you still have time to revise your hard copy edition before it goes to the printer.
With the pace of business only increasing, finding ways to circumvent traditional slow-moving processes can yield even greater success long-term.
Contact Us