Self-Publishing & Marketing with PublishingRoom: The DIY Mentality

What's the DIY Mentality?

DIY ( or “Do-it-yourself” ) is a term coined from the ‘50s that commonly refers to the process of making or building something for oneself without the aid of paid professionals. Therefore, the DIY Mentality is the mindset that encourages self-empowerment, learning, freedom of expression and independence, creating decorative or useful products as a result.

How Is Self-Publishing (and PublishingRoom) “do-it-yourself?”

Literally, with PublishingRoom, you are in total control of the design and content of the book that we'll publish. In addition to exercising your power over your physical book product, you also dictate how your title will be promoted after publication. Whether you distribute your book globally or have it adapted into a movie, the decision is always yours.

Those who value their independence and the freedom to contribute to the birth of their own book will definitely enjoy the PublishingRoom process. So too, as you design your own cover using PublishingRoom's wizard and choose your own selling price, you'll learn all about the publishing industry, a DIY activity that captures the very heart of your author self-determination.

You've already written your story and captured your voice. Perhaps you've even snapped the pictures you have in store for you book. The next steps may seem illusive and mysterious, but our wizard demystifies the publishing process. Now, you mold your interior, design your cover, select your prices, come up with a royalty scheme that suits you and outline your own marketing budget that fulfills your publishing goals, all from your own computer.

That said, you may think PublishingRoom makes the process too easy to be considered “doing-it-yourself,” but just because something is easy doesn't necessarily mean you're betraying the DIY mentality. Sure, we've developed the Internet tool and posted tutorials to help you along the publishing process, but the wizard isn't making your decisions for you. Think about it – you may be able to sew your own shirts, but you would never say that the needle and thread are helping you. Likewise, our online software is simply the tool you can now use to bring your publishing vision into focus.

Essentially, when you break self-publishing down to the basics, its spirit is one of individual expression. Instead of relying on publishing professionals to portray the vision only you can have for your book, now you can take advantage of innovative publishing tools to shape your manuscript and the future of your publication.

Speaking of the future of your publication, you must also bear in mind that, as a self-published author, the task of promoting your title falls to you as well. Instead of a busy publicist, you arrange the book signings and readings you want, at the bookstores you choose. You decide to which magazines and blogs you send review copies. You yourself contact the radio stations you admire for interviews.

Remember, so long as you're learning and expressing your individuality, the DIY process is ongoing, and publishing (as well as marketing) your manuscript should be no exception. You may have entered the PublishingRoom in the off chance of publishing your book, and now you can do so with your own unique touch, which is the very essence of the DIY mentality.

What Are the Benefits of Self-Publishing with PublishingRoom?

As mentioned earlier, the benefits of self-publishing (and self-marketing) lay in the control you have over the development of your book. Where a traditional publisher might cut you out of the publishing process, publishing your manuscript with companies like PublishingRoom or Wordclay speak to the very heart of your book's production and promotion. If, indeed, you reap what you sow, and you have a deep desire to work closely on the design and representation of your intellectual property, then choosing a DIY publisher may work to your advantage.

Some of the benefits DIY minded individuals will notice publishing with PublishingRoom include:

• Cover design control
• Interior layout choices
• Retail selling price options
• Higher royalties
• Marketing alternatives
• Promotional event preference

But most of all, you're the boss. There's no hierarchy of publishing professionals to whom you need to answer. You're the one who's responsible for the image and promotion of your book, so you can achieve greatness in the effort you yourself put forth. More than anyone, you know your strengths and weaknesses, and you can certainly highlight your strong points, while relying on professionals when it comes to your limitations.

Remember, basic publishing with PublishingRoom is absolutely free, but if you're looking for services to supplement your DIY experience – say you want a marketing kit but just don't have the time or energy to design the materials yourself – then check PublishingRoom's Services Store for a complete list of services we provide.

What Are the Drawbacks of Self-Publishing?

For years, self-publishing has come under fire, and the dust from the attack is only now beginning to settle. Back then, the common conception was that self-publishing admitted a kind of defeat or surrender, since traditional publishers turned you away.

But did you know that Walt Whitman and Henry David Thoreau self-published, two among thousands who achieved renowned success? Not to mention the recent self-published books such as Eragon and September Dawn that were optioned for movies. In a word, a good book is a good book, whether self-published or not, and with the right marketing mentality, your publication can sell regardless of your publisher.

With the possibilities of a self-published book in mind, there are certain details to the DIY publishing process that may dissuade people. Ironically, these deterring factors are the same as those listed as benefits in the above section of this article.

You may wonder: how can the benefits of self-publishing be the drawbacks as well? It's a good question, and it speaks to the foundation of the DIY mentality itself.

Basically, not everyone wants to control their book. In fact, some authors find the production and promotion process tedious as well as frustrating, and instead of fussing with the details about which they know little, they would rather leave it to professionals.

How Does Self-Publishing Fundamentally Differ from Traditional Publishing?

Self-publishing and publishing your manuscript through a traditional publisher primarily differ on the level of control you possess during the production and marketing processes.

With PublishingRoom, you control the layout, the cover design, your selling price and royalties, as well as the marketing plan that will ultimately sell your book. But with traditional publishers, your control is forfeit when you sign your publishing contract. Because they must represent their publications in a certain light, with a certain company image, their traditional publishing professionals must lend their organization's style and mission to your book.

Of course, traditional publishing staff members want to preserve the essence of your writing, or else they would not have selected you for publication in the first place, but when it comes to the representation of your material, your feedback might go unheard, your warnings unheeded.

That's where the DIY publishing process can help. You might not trust faceless designers with your work, and as the author, you might feel your firsthand insight into your book can accomplish more design-wise than a stranger's vision.

Or you may want to ensure that you have control over the way your future book will be marketed. Often, traditional publishers will devise a marketing plan that may take your publication in a direction that might not target the audiences you had in mind while writing. Truth be told, only you can really grasp the nuances of your intellectual property, and perhaps you are the only one who can capture (and express) those touches to the public.

For more information on the rights and control over your intellectual property, read “Retaining Your Creative Rights” in PublishingRoom's articles section.

Is DIY Publishing a Good Choice for You?

Like most of life's big decisions, this choice depends solely on you. Ask yourself if you're the kind of person who enjoys hands on experience and learning about new industries. Or would you rather rely on the professionals to represent your publication? Honestly, how much control do you want over the production and marketing of your book? Or would you prefer to leave the direction of your book to those who have been around the publishing block a few times?

This is really more a question of personality than practicality. Sure, as a free publishing service that allows you to build your own packages based on your preferences, PublishingRoom is an extremely practical solution for writers. But to determine if DIY publishing is a good choice for you, you'll need to establish your level of comfort when it comes to your intellectual property.

If you're hoping for the support of a production team and marketing staff that will mold your manuscript into a product that will appeal to audiences of their choice, and you're not too concerned with the peripheral details like cover images and promotional materials that could potentially draw in different groups of readers, then you may want to consider approaching traditional publishers with your work.

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