Pros & Cons of Print-On-Demand Publishing

The best tool for promoting your business is to author a book in your field of expertise. Hand a potential client a one-page flier or tri-fold brochure and chances are they’ll never give it another glance. Present that same potential client with a professionally bound and well written book and your product’s credibility just went through the roof — not to mention your own.



So, you’ve spent weeks writing a document covering every aspect of your business and now you’re ready to turn those late nights into a book. Where do you go for publishing help?



Traditional Publisher

You must go through a literary agent and endure long waiting periods only to receive the proverbial rejection letter. In addition to being at the mercy of the publisher for distribution channels, your publisher has input to the size and cover design. In most cases, the content of your book will be under intense scrutiny from the publisher.



Print-On-Demand (POD)

POD has wrongfully earned a negative reputation among traditional publishers and old school writers. But, any method that balks at the traditional route will accumulate a group of naysayers that question its validity.



The first rumor to negate is that POD is only for vanity publishing (e.g., writers only interested in getting the title of "author" attached to their name). This is true in a small amount of cases, but POD is a viable and professional method for getting your work (and your name) in print.



The next rumor to dispel is the claim that the content of a POD published book is substandard. Not true. POD is simply the publishing method and has nothing to do with the skill or knowledge of the author(s).



Pros

• Save time (months, if not years).

• No inventory (print one book at a time).

• Don’t have to be a professional writer.



Cons

• Some bookstores/chains refuse to carry POD titles mostly due to the perceived inability to return unsold copies.

• It costs money. In some cases, lots of money.

• Marketing is the responsibility of the author.