In case you haven’t heard, Taylor Swift has chosen to bypass the traditional publishing route and self-publish The Eras Tour Book under her new imprint Taylor Swift Publications, exclusively at Target on Black Friday. This decision gives her the opportunity to keep more of the revenue from her book than she would if she went through a traditional publisher, and it also gives her total creative control over her book—she can choose when to publish it, what her cover looks like, how much to charge, how to market it, and where to sell it—without having to answer to a large publishing company.
Swift has long been known for doing her own thing and shaking up the business industry, whether by challenging the policies of Apple music, re-recording her albums, working with Ticketmaster to help combat scalping, or one of the many other ways she's defied the norm to set her own standards.
What Taylor knows is the open secret that self-publishing is THE way to get your book into the hands of readers, while still maintaining control of your content and how you create, market, and sell it.
Not only is this a win for Taylor – it also stands to be a big win for self-publishing. Her fan base, as everyone knows, is huge and they have money to spend. Her impact on the economy overall has even led to a new term in the world of economics: Swiftonomics. Her fan base is hungry, and her influence is massive.
What this could mean for the self-publishing industry:
- Her decision could bring more attention to the world of self-publishing, which still not enough people are aware of
- It could also help change the (incorrect) perception that the quality of self-published books has to be lesser than that of those traditionally published
- A number of aspiring authors might be inspired by her and motivated to try self-publishing themselves
Now, truth-telling time…none of us are Taylor Swift, and it's unlikely we'll ever achieve her level of power, wealth, or influence.
But even if you don't have her resources, don't be discouraged from taking the self-publishing journey.
As a matter of fact, IngramSpark has many helpful—and free!—tools at your disposal. Tools that will take you from original concept to finished product with less hassle, more control over your content, and more royalties than you'd earn from traditional publishing.
From Concept to Manuscript
Free, five-star self-publishing courses that are quick to complete
Access to our award-winning, self-publishing blog covering essential publishing topics
Cool companies are happy to work with IngramSpark authors to take your book to the next level—many at special discounts!
Uploading, Formatting, Design
Our online book design tool helps you master your book cover and layout design
Info-packed guides that support your indie publishing journey from beginning to end
Marketing
Reach new readers with book promotion services and resources that'll help get your book discovered globally.
An advertising platform that gives you an affordable ad option with access to targeted audiences of readers looking for their next book.
Distribution
Get plugged in to one of the publishing industry’s largest global book distribution networks, including access to over 45,000 retailers and libraries, with fast and reliable shipping and delivery.
Sell Your Book
Sell directly to readers by creating shareable purchase links for your books and earn more on your book sales.
What Taylor Swift will do next is anyone's guess. It's doubtful that she'll merely dabble in the self-publishing game…she likely has more books to come. The takeaway from this new venture from the savvy businesswoman is that she's doing things her way and charting her own path—and you can, too!
