Digital publishing is becoming more popular. I have to admit, I resisted ebooks for a long time. I still like the turning of the pages and the smell of a book, but I have come to realize ebooks and other digital media are becoming the preferred method of consuming information.
As a writer I can appreciate the digital format, simply because of the benefits to both author and reader. Read on for 9 reasons to publish your work digitally.
Lower production costs
Publishing in digital format is generally much cheaper than printing and distributing physical copies of your work. This is because there are no printing or shipping costs involved. Plus you can reach a larger audience with digital publishing, which can offset the lower production costs. And if the reader wishes for a print copy, they can order that option (I have done it myself) in addition to the ebook.
Immediate availability
When you publish in digital format, your work is available to readers immediately. There is no need to wait for print copies to be shipped or distributed. This means that readers can access your work as soon as it is published. (Just think of the blog post you’re reading. If it were a printed publication, it would be weeks before you’d have access to the information herein.)
Increased Reach
One of the primary benefits of publishing in digital format is that it allows you to reach a wider audience than traditional print publishing. With digital publishing, your book can be read by people all over the world with just a few clicks. Digital books are often (but not always) less expensive than print books, which makes them more accessible to a wider range of readers. Plus digital publishing makes it easy to share your work with others, which can help to increase its reach even further.
More Flexibility
Digital publishing also offers more flexibility than print publishing in terms of format and design. With digital publications, you can include multimedia elements such as images, videos, and audio files, which can help to make your work more engaging. Plus you have more control over the layout and design of your work. This alone can allow you to better showcase your ideas.
Greater Control Over Your Book
When you publish digitally, you also have greater control over your book than you would if you were to go the traditional route. For example, you can determine the price of your book and how it will be distributed. You also have more control over the marketing and promotion of your book when you publish digitally. And, if you find you’ve made some mistakes, it’s much easier to fix them.
Greater Accessibility
Digital publications are often more accessible than print publications, both for authors and readers. For authors, digital publication can make it easier to submit their work for publication as they do not need to worry about mailing physical copies of their work to editors or publishers. For readers, digital publications are often available for free or at a lower cost than print publications.
Faster Production Time
Another advantage of digital publishing is that it generally has a faster production time than traditional print publishing. With digital publishing, you can typically get your book on the market much faster than if you were to go the traditional route. This is because there is no need to wait for the printing process to be completed and for the books to be shipped out to bookstores.
Portability
Publishing digitally allows readers to carry their entire library with them. Between my audiobook and ebook apps I have hundreds of books at the ready, no matter what I am in the mood for. Whether it be fiction or nonfiction, with a quick scroll through my library I can pick whatever I want to read/listen to next.
Higher Royalties
I know as an author, this last reason is a big determining factor to publish digitally. Traditionally published authors typically earn as little as 5% to 15% for their work, whereas those publishing digitally can earn up to 90% or more of the retail price.
If you’re considering whether or not to publish your book digitally, keep in mind the many advantages it has over traditional print publishing. With digital publication, you have more control over your book, production costs are lower, and royalties tend to be higher. Plus, it’s a faster process overall with immediate availability and increased reach. Not to mention, digital books are much more portable than their physical counterparts. So if you’re on the fence about going digital with your next publication, remember all of the wonderful benefits it offers!
Do you (or plan to) publish digitally? Let me know in the comments.
Birchbark Publishing 
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