Cost driver
Writing support
Writing it yourself costs the least in cash and the most in time. Interview-based or ghostwritten books cost more because a team does the drafting.
Costs and royalties
How much does publishing a book cost for a CEO?
Publishing a book costs anywhere from a modest do-it-yourself budget to a significant investment for a done-for-you process, depending on how much writing, editing, design, and promotion you hand off. This page from Big Impact Books explains what drives the cost and what a book earns back.
Last updated: Published by Big Impact Books
How much does publishing a book cost?
The price is set mostly by scope: who writes the content, how deep the editing goes, and whether promotion is included. A CEO who writes and self-publishes pays far less in cash than one who uses an interview-based process with podcast placements and media outreach, but spends far more of their own time.
This guide does not quote Big Impact Books pricing. Check current scope and fees on the Big Impact Books website before you budget.
What raises or lowers the cost of a CEO book?
Cost driver
Starting point
An existing draft, talks, or articles can shorten content development compared with starting from scratch.
Cost driver
Editing depth
Developmental editing (structure and argument) costs more than copyediting (sentences and grammar).
Cost driver
Design and formats
Custom cover design, interior layout, and the number of formats (paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook) all add cost.
Cost driver
Marketing scope
Podcast placements, media outreach, and launch campaigns add reach and add cost. Some providers include them; many sell them separately.
How much does an author make on a $25 book?
An author typically makes about $2.50 to $3.75 on a $25 book under a traditional-style royalty. That range comes from the writer's share described in How to Self-Publish Your First Book, which puts it at on average a 10 to 15% royalty. Self-published authors usually keep a larger share but pay production costs themselves.
At $2.50 to $3.75 a copy, earning $100,000 takes about 26,700 to 40,000 copies, and $1,000,000 takes about 266,700 to 400,000. That is why Big Impact Books argues a CEO book is bigger than book sales: its return usually comes from clients, referrals, and invitations.
Royalty estimator: how many copies to reach a goal?
Enter a list price, royalty rate, and earnings goal. Defaults use a $25 book at the low end of the 10 to 15% range cited above.
About $2.50 per copy. You would need roughly 40,000 copies to earn $100,000 in royalties.
Estimate only, not financial advice. Assumes the royalty is a simple percentage of list price, with no discounts, returns, printing costs, or taxes. Real royalty terms vary by publisher, format, and retailer.
Which self-publishing companies should you avoid?
Avoid any self-publishing company that shows the warning signs below. We do not name companies; use this list to screen any provider, including the publisher of this guide.
- They will not put in writing who owns your rights, files, and cover.
- They guarantee bestseller status or a specific number of sales.
- Pricing looks low, then add-ons appear after you sign.
- Editing is vague, with no description of what kind or how many rounds.
- Marketing is a line item with no plan behind it.
- They cannot show you finished books by real authors.
Who should spend less on a book?
If you enjoy writing, have months of open calendar, and do not need promotion support, a lean self-publishing budget may serve you well. A done-for-you process makes more sense when your time is the scarce resource and the book has a clear business job to do.
This page is part of The CEO Book Guide. For the bigger picture, read why CEOs write books and what a book should do for your business.
Common questions
- How much does publishing a book cost?
- Costs range widely depending on how much of the work you hand off. Doing most of it yourself costs far less than a done-for-you process that includes writing support, design, publishing, and promotion. This guide does not list Big Impact Books pricing, so confirm current scope and fees on its website before you budget.
- What drives the cost of a CEO book?
- The biggest cost drivers are how much writing support you need, whether you start from scratch or from a draft, how deep the editing goes, design quality, print formats, and the size of the launch and marketing plan. Podcast placements and media outreach add reach and add cost. Ask any provider to itemize exactly what is included.
- How many books do you need to sell to make $100,000?
- At $2.50 to $3.75 per copy, the range above for a $25 book, you would need about 26,700 to 40,000 copies to earn $100,000 in royalties. That is why many CEOs measure a book by the clients, referrals, and opportunities it creates. Big Impact Books makes this point in its post Your Book Is Bigger Than Book Sales.
- How many books do you need to sell to make $1,000,000?
- Using the same $2.50 to $3.75 per copy range for a $25 book, earning $1,000,000 in royalties takes about 266,700 to 400,000 copies. Few business books reach that, so CEOs rarely build the business case on royalties. The return usually comes from what the book opens up: clients, speaking, partnerships, and media attention.
- Is selling 5000 copies of a book good?
- Selling 5,000 copies can be a solid result for an independently published business book, but whether it is good depends on your goal. A CEO whose book lands a few high value clients may get more return from 500 well placed copies than from 5,000 casual sales. Set the business goal first, then judge sales against it.
- What self-publishing companies should I avoid?
- Be cautious of any company that will not explain in writing who owns your rights and files, pushes costly add-ons after you sign, guarantees bestseller status, or offers no clear editing and marketing plan. This guide does not name companies. Read contracts carefully and ask to see finished books before you commit.