There is an incredible amount of self-publishing companies. More and more open their doors every year to fight for the attention of the free-agent author.

These companies are in different locations, have different core beliefs, and often specialize in different genres. But do you know what they have in common?

Empowering authors.

Or, at least, that’s what they’ll tell you.

Self-publishing, at its core, is about giving authors a voice, creative decision-making, and more control than they would ever have in the traditional publishing route. Some self-publishers stick to those core principles a lot better than others.

And that’s got me thinking.

What should an author expect from a self-publishing company that holds the author’s best interests at heart?

While there are many layers to this question, I’ve identified 5 components that every self-publishing company must-have.

Important features all self-publishing companies need to service their authors

If you’re an author, your book is—in many ways—like a child: you’re proud of it, you’ve watched it grow, and you want what’s best for it.

Self-publishing is a fantastic way to ensure the book gets the proper treatment it deserves, but only if you work with the right self-publisher.

With that in mind, here are five things to look for in a self-publishing company. If the company does not have any of these things, consider taking your book elsewhere.

• Previous success: Is it impossible for a brand-new self-publishing company to find success with your book? No. But do you want to trust your book to a company that has never done it before? Again, probably not. With so many new self-publishing companies popping up, a track record of success becomes even more valuable. I recommend only working with companies that have sustained success. How can you tell? A good place to start is by looking for awards earned by both the company and its books. Also, see if any of its books have been bestsellers. 
• Trusted owners: Self-publishing companies reflect the values and knowledge of its owner. For this reason, be sure to work with a company that has a respected owner who is knowledgeable about the publishing industry – as a writer, publisher, or both.
• Author right-retention: Some self-publishing companies force authors to give up their rights or agree to an exclusive publishing agreement. Do NOT do this. In self-publishing, authors should always keep their rights.
• High royalties: A proper self-publisher should pay the author a high royalty rate. Think 50% or better. For many authors, those high royalties are a major appeal compared to the 10% or so that traditional publishing pays. Make sure you get what you deserve!
• Effective distribution and services: Some self-publishers claim to have distribution or book marketing services that market a book “worldwide,” but in reality, they only send out a template press release and list the book on their distributor’s website. It’s all smoke and mirrors. Other companies don’t even pretend to have either service. That said, there is a lot of value in working with a company that has effective distribution and additional services provided: from in-house book design to marketing and PR services to help spread the word after the book releases. While there are some powerful ways to market your book as an author, you don’t want all the weight to be on your shoulders. Find a self-publisher that can help.

My recommendation for you to get the most out of your book…

Picking a self-publishing company is a very big decision for you and your book, so I want to do my part to help with the process.

First, I say this: please do your homework and check out other companies. Give them all a fair shot before making a decision.

But, with that in mind, you should strongly consider MindStir Media as your all-in-one self-publishing platform. It’s a company that not only checks all five boxes of my five features to look for, but moreover, I believe it’s the company that best exemplifies exactly how other self-publishing companies should provide support and partnership to their authors.

I’m not the only one who thinks this, either, since MindStir Media is the #1 choice on many lists, including Penny Matters, BestTechie, and iTech Post.

I encourage you to read this post to get a feel for what sets MindStir Media apart and makes it the self-publishing leader: a decade of award-winning success, a trusted owner, a proven formula to deliver best-selling books, up to 100% royalty rates, industry-leading book designs, marketing and distribution services, and more.

Again, consider all of your options before making a selection, but you can also trust that MindStir Media is a very safe bet for getting in on the best service that the industry has to offer.