How Much Money Can You Make Self-Publishing?

Last week during one of my Book Coaching Sessions, an aspiring author asked me, “So how much money can I make from self-publishing?” 

It's a really good question. But I actually think it's the wrong question to ask. 

How much money can I make from self-publishing?

Here's the truth: with self-publishing (or any other entrepreneurial endeavor), the sky's the limit! You could make $30 a month or $30,000 a month. It all depends on your time, your effort, your budget, and your costs. 

So while we all want to know how much money we can make as an author, there's a better question to ask. 

What's my break-even number?

Do you know how many books you need to sell to break even? When launching a book (or re-ordering a supply of books), this is a number you need to know. You should have it in the front of your mind. Keep in on a post-it note on your desk. Make a temporary tattoo and place it somewhere on your body (okay, that may be a bit extreme). 

Here's my number: 65 

This means that when I place an order of 250 books, I need to sell 65 of them before I start seeing a profit on that specific shipment. Actually 64.8 books, but who's counting?

Here’s the breakdown:  

250 books cost me $1,037 and I sell each one for $15.99.

So 1,307/15.99 = 64.8 books before I break even.

What are the other costs of self-publishing?

Does your break-even number include all of the costs that come with being an author? No, it doesn't. So while it's an important metric to track, it's also critical to know your up-front costs and ongoing expenses. 

Are you tracking all of your expenses? If not, check out my blog post on Creating Your Author Budget.

So tell me, what’s your break-even number?

Comment below!

Want to get really specific on the steps to becoming a successful self-published author?

Check out my limited Author Coaching Sessions!