Blogging versus Printed Books

[blackwater]

I have been writing up some essays on psychology lately and I am poison to publish them on my blog. Now, however, I am in doubt of wheater I should actually do so (and attempt to make money with Adsense) or go for the old-school publishing industry, eventually seeing my work in print.

I have written the work focusing on generating quality essays in and of itself. However, I really need an income stream and as such I am interested in whatever solution would bring in the most. I know that there are several variables that pertain to making money as a blogger, and I have read up on what the experts say on pro-blogging.

So my question is more with regards to the publishing industry: How much can you possibly hope to make as a published author?

[dennis08]

I didn’t read it but blogging.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by blackwater

However, I really need an income stream

If you need an income stream... get a job...

Chances that you will get published are probably a thousand to one... and even it you do get published you'd be making more selling empty beer cans...

Robert Pirsig who wrote the classic, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" which was subsequently translated in more then ten languages and sold many millions had to submit his manuscript to 122 publishers before anyone agreed to publish it...

In these pages, where we probably have hundreds of bloggers... we can't find anyone (except Steve) who makes at least $50.00 a month with it... (if there are... they have not manifested yet...)

I hate to be the bearer of bad news... but those are the facts of life...

The very best of luck to you...
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[Brutha]

It isn't either or.
Steve is at the moment writing his book.

Cool people like the Freakonomics authors, Steve Godin, the four hour workweek guy, the Mind Hacks guy, Guy Kawasaki, are all both published authors and bloggers.

If you seeking "the money" in either blogging or as an author the chances to make a living are against you.

Especially if you write like this. Restricting the circle of potential reader by the criterium of who knows what MBTI means.

If you want to sell something that is written like this you need to be a prof at a university and sell your textbook for psychology students.

[blackwater]

thanks for the replies.

Robert Pirsig who wrote the classic, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" which was subsequently translated in more then ten languages and sold many millions had to submit his manuscript to 122 publishers before anyone agreed to publish it...

that's not really the question, though - how much did he make once he actually made it?

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no it isn't either or. but i've got to start somewhere. just like steve did and indeed we all do. steve doesnt need to make money from his book when it eventually comes out. if i were to devote my time to writing a book id would need the money not to fall into despondancy.

Restricting the circle of potential reader by the criterium of who knows what MBTI means.

i know what you mean. it definately bottlenecks the audience. but on the other hand its a very tight and clearly defined niche.

[Buddy]

Check out Clickbank. You can publish your book in pdf and get affiliates to hrlp you sell it. Ergo, no publishing costs.

[Brutha]

but on the other hand its a very tight and clearly defined niche.

That niche is probably to small for a blog.
Even if you get a publisher for a book for that niche you probably won't make more money than minimum wage.
If you want to make money you need a greater audience.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by blackwater

that's not really the question, though - how much did he make once he actually made it?

First you must understand that the book was first published in 1974 and that you can still find it on the shelves of bookstores today... also that the book became what is called a "cult" book... that is, a must read book for anyone who claims to be a well read person...

Robert Redford bought the movie rights... but the movie was never made... and two books were subsequently written by PhD to shed even more light on the messages to be found in the book...

So the guy made millions... but one thing that you must understand is that if you want to get published and make money out of it... you must be an exceptional writer and have something exceptional to say... (unless you are a well known personality... in which case your name alone sells the book...)

Also, during the course of my life I have found that every Tom, Dick and Harry thinks that he can write a book... that is true, they can write the book... but it's also true that no one will ever read it...

Just food for thoughts...
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[MartialDev]

If I were you, I would figure out who will benefit most from your work, and attempt to sell to them directly.

If you can't sell it to them, then you can't sell it to anyone, right?

[ginkgo]

Blogging is the simple easy road. Publishing is not. You can self publish. I read that the people who have the best chance of being published are not the best writers but those who are the best at the science of getting things published which includes submitting etc. If it is a best seller, you could make a lot of money. People with MD next to their name have a better chance of being published. Do you want to learn the science of getting things published.

If you are fat, should you tape yourself singing and dancing to a song so you can become famous??? What is up with that? That guy sang the Numa Numa song and 100 million watched it. So I watched it. I did not find it to make me want to dance and sing to it. The point is-- you cannot for sure. Invent a third option like an electronic book.

[blackwater]

is it really that hard to get published in the USA? i live in a country with 5 million people (of all age groups, mind you) that publishes 10,000 books a year i a language that only they can read.

those are pretty good odds i think. but i would not be surprised to learn that the competition was steeper in america, which is where I eventually want to publish, writing in english and about an american instrument as the mbti as it is.


and its good advice selling the stuff directy to the target audience. that would almost certainly involve a website with paid content though, and that's a stony road, isnt it? I mean, there's a reason that steve provides his articles for free although i understand that his business model is different from mine

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by blackwater

is it really that hard to get published in the USA? i live in a country with 5 million people (of all age groups, mind you) that publishes 10,000 books a year i a language that only they can read.

If there are 5 million people in your country and 10,000 books are published each year... and if only one person in one hundred buys your book... it means that you will sell 5 books...

You won't get rich with that...
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[blackwater]

i know i know. that's why im aiming for the us market

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by blackwater

i know i know. that's why im aiming for the us market

If you want to succeed in the US market, you'll have to do the TV and radio talks shows, meet Newspaper's entertainment editors and show up for book signing sessions in large book stores... are you ready...???

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[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Shamou

If you want to succeed in the US market, you'll have to do the TV and radio talks shows, meet Newspaper's entertainment editors and show up for book signing sessions in large book stores... are you ready...???.

Here's some advice. Don't take advice on what one "has to do" in order to succeed in the US market by publishing a book from someone who hasn't published a successful book. Although Shamou's advice is well intentioned, he's making assumption based on his own perspectives.

What I did when I thought I had a book idea is that I actually contacted an author and book publisher and had a chat with him. He offered me advice which gave me some perspective on what I needed to do before I publish my book, and I respect his advice because he's not only a multimillionaire, he's also an author and a publisher.

Shamou probably wouldn't recommend such advice because he would say that there are tens of THOUSANDS of authors trying to contact a very small group of publishers and unless you're already well known in the industry, it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to get in touch with a decision maker to even HEAR your book idea, let alone give you advice on what to do. Of course he doesn't have Law of Attraction on his side, so he wouldn't do what I did which was to simply "Attract" such an opportunity.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by impaul99

What I did when I thought I had a book idea is that I actually contacted an author and book publisher and had a chat with him.

How well did you do with your book...???

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[Jason S]

I have a book that was originally done as print-on-demand and that I'm now publishing and distributing through traditional channels. The book is (How to Self-Destruct: Making the Least of What's Left of Your Career)... I have advance copies being printed now, and will be doing a major launch in the spring. Some food for thought from my experiences so far:

The goal is not to be published, there is really no such things as "publishing a book." In reality, it's more like, "starting a business around a single product that happens to be a book." Quite literally, successful publishing requires an upfront investment (of time, money, or both), a marketing plan, a sales plan, and an operations plan.

If you want to earn money fast, publishing isn't the answer b/c there is a gestation period, as there is for any business. Better to use a book to reinforce another income stream. For me, it's consulting/book sales.

In terms of publishing, you have options. In a nutshell, these are:

Vanity publishing: Some printers will print whatever you send them. You pay a set-up fee and per-book fee, submit your manuscript, and get a stack of books delievered back to your house. Probably not what you're looking for.

Print on demand: You can get editorial help as well as limited distribution help from companies like iUniverse.com. Expect to pay ~$500-$1200 to get your book into print and onto Amazon. If you write a fantastic manuscript and hit certain sales threshholds, you may also get some marketing help, too, but it will be limited to helping you get picked up by a larger publisher rather than helping you increase direct sales.

Full service self-publishing: If you've got the talent and the $$$, you can find companies that will take your manuscript and give you all the same services as a full publishing house, with the exception that you get to partake in the financial "pain" of bringing your book to market. (Think $30k - $100k+) Consider this route if you want to retain full rights to your material, maintain greater control over the process, and can move a number of books directly (as opposed to through bookstores). Expect to make roughly 33% of list price on every book sold through a bookstore, and 100% of list from any books sold by you. But also be prepared to subtract out costs from that, including the potential costs of storage and returns should your book sit on the shelves too long. This is the path I'm taking. (I'm using Greenleaf Book Group.)

Publishing: If you've got the talent and the connections, or are established in a niche for which there is a corresponding niche publisher, you can get picked up. If you don't have the connections, you'll likely need a book agent to help you, which could run you ~10% of whatever your deal ends up being. The financials on these deals run the gamut... though suffice it to say that on first books, with no built-in following, the terms tend to favor the house. Also, whatever you get in an advance has to be "earned back" before you start to collect royalties. This means that if the cost of bringing your book to market is $50k, and your advance is $10k, then you don't see any royalties until after the publisher has earned back $60k.

I also maintain a blog... not for revenue as much as to provide clients fresh content, test new material, and for the enjoyment of it. I'm happy to share my specific experiences with you if you're interested.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Shamou

How well did you do with your book...???

.

As I said in my post "He offered me advice which gave me some perspective on what I needed to do before I publish my book..." and I'm taking his advice which is why I haven't tried to publish it yet. In fact, I haven't even finished writing it based on his recommendations. It will be a few years before I am ready for that.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Jason S

I also maintain a blog... not for revenue as much as to provide clients fresh content, test new material, and for the enjoyment of it. I'm happy to share my specific experiences with you if you're interested.

Great advice Jason. I've done research in this area as well but it's great to hear from your experience.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by impaul99

In fact, I haven't even finished writing it based on his recommendations. It will be a few years before I am ready for that.

I see...

Check post #17 in this thread...
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[Brutha]

» How Does a Bestseller Happen? A Case Study in Hitting #1 on the New York Times is also nice advice from someone who has succeded as an unknown author.