Self-Publishing Costs: How Much Does It Cost to Start Writing and Selling Your Own Ebooks Online

May 7, 2013 - PRLog -- I'm a self-published author who's been writing and selling ebooks online since 2002. One of the things I'm queried about from time to time is cost; as in, just how much does it cost to start selling ebooks online. There are a couple of answers to that question because it depends on the outlets you use.

Costs of Selling Ebooks Online via Big Outlets Like Amazon

It can literally costs $0 - yes, nothing! - to sell your ebook online if you go this route. All you have to do is write it and upload it. This is true for other sites too by the way, eg, Barnes and Noble, Lulu, etc.

The thing I like about selling ebooks via these "big box" outlets is that they take care of all the backend paperwork for you, eg, processing returns, delivery to customers and paying affiliates. And you get to keep most of the profits.

So if you don't have your own website or blog - and don't want to get one - you can sell very effectively via these outlets without any out-of-pocket cost.

Costs of Self-Publishing and Selling Ebooks Online via Your Own Website/Blog

I sell my ebooks on sites like the ones mentioned above, as well as from my own websites. Following are some costs associated with going this route.

Digital Delivery Service Provider: This is for services like e-Junkie or PayLoadz. They automatically deliver your ebook to buyers as instant downloads. Cost: $0-$10 per month, depending on which one you go with and how many ebooks you list with them.

Web Hosting: Cost: $0-10 per month. If you use a free blogging platform, for example, it can cost $0. I don't recommend this, but if you're just starting out and have very limited funds, then it's certainly an option.

Domain Name Registration: Note: Less popular extensions like dot pw tend to be cheaper than the ones that end in "dot com." Many of these can be had for less than $5 per year. Cost: $3-$15 per YEAR.

Internet Service: Many of us already have a cable/internet package for personal use at home, so this is a cost you probably already carry anyway. Cost: $40-$100 per month.

Other Costs of Self-Publishing

These are the basics; there are a couple of other costs, eg, ebook cover design (software or person); and editor/copy editor. While these aren't absolutely necessary to get started -- especially if you have experience in these areas -- they are highly recommended.

Self-Publishing Costs: Conclusion

As you can see, when you subtract the cost of internet service - you can start writing, self-publishing and selling your own ebooks online - for less than $20 per month. And the good thing about self-publishing is that you keep all the profit when you sell via your own website; and a good portion of it (up to 70 percent) when you publish via major outlets like Amazon.

This is one reason why selling ebooks online can be very profitable - even if you're only selling a few hundred copies per month.
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About the Author: Yuwanda has written and self-published over 50 ebooks, which can be found on major sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, in addition to her freelance writing website, InkwellEditorial.com. If you found the info here insightful, get more in the complete package on self-publishing profits (http://inkwelleditorial.com/ebook-publishing-package-get-...) and costs. It will not only teach you how to write an ebook (in just a few days!), but also tell you exactly how to market it and start getting sales within a week - really!