How to Self-Publish a Business Bestseller*

Order Quantity

How do you decide the right quantity to order?  Since you’re not going the print-on-demand route, that’s a key decision.

Like everything, the answer depends. The more books you order the lower your cost per unit since you take advantage of operating efficiencies and the manufacturer spreads makeready (job setup) costs across more units.

Of course you have to be confident you can sell the books you order, since returns are not allowed.

You’ll need to balance your confidence in your marketing abilities against your desire to minimize unit cost.

A quick note on terms.  Don’t expect to get terms like net-30 or net-45.  It won’t happen.  Your local print shop may allow you to pay on or after receipt but larger manufacturers will not.  Minimizing accounts receivable is important and as a small customer you have no leverage to dictate generous terms.

At a minimum expect to pay something along the lines of 30% at order, 30% after proofs, and 40% before shipping.

Some printers expect 110% of contract price at time of order with unused money refunded once the exact ship quality is determined.

So if you decide to self-publish and print your own books, you will need to pay up front. Don’t expect to finance the cost of production using revenue from books sold.

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Jeff Haden learned much of what he knows about business and technology as he worked his way up in the manufacturing industry. Everything else he picks up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest leaders he knows in business. @jeff_haden