Member Article

Self published authors: Where’s the value in paying for professional services?

Is there value in paying for services as a self published author? In 2012, a survey was carried out by Dave Cornford and Steven Lewis (http://bubblecow.net/should-writers-pay-professional-services/) with 1000 self-published writers.

You can find out more in their book ‘Not a Gold Rush – The Taleist Self Publishing Survey’ available on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0085M7KIU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B0085M7KIU&linkCode=as2&tag=insearcofadam-21, but here are some of the highlights.

A common belief held about self published authors is that their books are un-edited, badly proofed and poorly set out with awful covers. Of the 1000 writers surveyed, the majority published their books with no professional input at all:

• 70% of writers digitally publishing formatted their own books
• 70% of writers using print on demand designed their own internal layouts
• 45% of all self publishing writers designed their own front cover

So what services did the writers use and value?

The survey showed that 30% of writers paid for at least one professional service.

• 45% paid for a professional cover design
• 29% paid for copy editing, although a further 29% received unpaid copy editing
• 25% paid for a proof reader, although 46% received proof reading for free
• 20% paid for story editing

Interestingly, the survey showed that writers who had self published with no professional help were 30% more likely to pay for help with their next book. The majority of these valued story editing the second time round – which increased by 31%.

These may just be meaningless figures to you – so maybe these will hold more meaning when you’re thinking about your own work:

• The survey found that self publishing authors that received help with story editing, copy editing and proof reading made 13% more than average in sales.
• Authors that received help in story editing, copy editing, proof reading AND cover design made 34% more than average, which suggests your cover design alone is worth 18% in sales.

And one more final, sobering, point to note: writers who did their own story editing, copy editing and proof reading made 58% less than the average writer.

Want to cover the cost of professional services by securing ebook pre-orders? Sign up now at http://pasturesmoo.com, it’s free!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Pastures Moo .