If your passion is writing, then writing down the things that go through your mind is perhaps your greatest joy. However, publishing your written work, whether it’s a short novel or a book, is a totally different thing. It takes a lot of effort, time, and courage to publish a book. If you are determined to get your work published, then your number one goal for now is to know how to publish a book.

When it comes to publishing a book, there is a plethora of options available. However, know that the publishing industry is a difficult world to explore for starting authors. You could either opt for a traditional publishing company or choose the newest trend – print-on-demand publishing.

POD, or print-on-demand publishing, is a new technology in which a certain book is printed on a per-demand basis. In other words, the book would only be printed when there is a paying customer who orders it. The principle is simple – when there is a demand, go ahead and print. This method was created to avoid mass publishing books. When books are published in bulk and they are not sold, just imagine the sheer amount of wasted of resources. POD publishing was created to save money and time.

POD makes self-publishing an easy and fulfilling choice. However, the question of whether it is a good way to earn money is still up in the air. So, to shed light on this topic, here are some points that you should consider as you decide whether POD publishing is right for you.

Quicker Technical Setup

Compared to printing press publishing, print-on-demand is much faster. The technical setup is quick and simple. There’s no need to publish tons of books, which might not all be sold. It simply means that you only pay for what is printed, which in turn means that you spend less and earn more.

Marketing Depends on You

Since POD is a form of self-publishing, how the book gets advertised depends on you. You can actually look at it in a negative way, but it can also be an advantage on your part. After all, you’ll be able to market your book through your website or even through social networking sites (without spending anything). If you go for traditional publishing, marketing is part of the fee that you’d need to pay.

Fixed Cost per Copy

This is perhaps the greatest advantage of per-demand publishing. No matter how many copies are printed, each copy has a fixed price and there is no possible increase in the pricing. So, for instance, if your book becomes a big hit and many people wish to purchase copies, you’ll be able to keep the printing going without worrying about increases in printing costs. Everything is fixed, and the income is all yours.

If your main aim is just to publish a book, then POD publishing is a great and economical way to earn money. On the other hand, if you want your books to reach a wider audience, then you’d have to promote it all by yourself because POD publishing companies seldom offer free marketing services. Simply put, to make a proper decision, you’ll have to think thoroughly.