Skip to content
Big Impact BooksPublishing first
Menu

Methodology

How we form our guidance

Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Big Impact Books

Big Impact Books forms the guidance on this site from its own published experience, clearly attributed public sources, and the same stated criteria applied to every option.

Big Impact Books publishes this website and offers the services it describes. This page explains how our guides, the ranked list of book marketing services, and our comparison tables are written, so you can weigh them accordingly.

How are the recommendations on this site formed?

Recommendations come from three places: Big Impact Books' published guidance on publishing and book marketing, facts about how publishing platforms and paths work, and statistics quoted from named public sources. We judge every option against the same criteria in each guide and state those criteria on the page.

The criteria we use

Sources we cite

Market statistics are quoted as published, with their ranges and conditions, and linked to the original: Publishers Weekly, Writer Cosmos, Reedsy, and Jane Friedman. For warning signs about publishing companies we point readers to Writer Beware and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

What we never do

How we keep pages current

Each main page shows a “Last updated” date near the top. We change that date only when the page's content changes. If you spot something out of date, the main website at yourbigimpactbook.com is the best place to confirm current details. See also who publishes this site.

Go to Big Impact Books book publishing services

Common questions

What is Big Impact Books?

Big Impact Books is a book publishing, promotion, and marketing company for CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners worldwide. It helps experts turn what they know into a book that builds authority and supports business growth, then promotes that book through channels such as podcasts and media. Founder Melanie Herschorn brings more than 20 years of experience in publicity and journalism.

What self-publishing companies should I avoid?

Avoid any company that will not put its full scope and costs in writing, pressures you to sign quickly, takes rights without a clear reason, or guarantees sales or bestseller status. Watchdog resources such as Writer Beware and the Alliance of Independent Authors track problem companies, so check a provider there before you pay.

Can a book publishing service guarantee bestseller status?

No service can honestly guarantee sales or rankings, because those depend on readers, timing, and competition. Be wary of guaranteed bestseller promises. Ask instead what the service will actually do, such as specific media, podcast, or marketing activities, and how it will report on that work.

Is self-publishing better than traditional publishing?

Neither is better for everyone. Self-publishing offers speed, control, and higher royalty rates; Writer Cosmos notes self-published authors can keep up to 70% royalties on ebooks. Traditional publishing offers a publisher’s backing in exchange for less control. Experts who want speed and promotion support without doing every task themselves often consider a done-for-you service.

Where can I learn more about Big Impact Books’ services?

Visit the Big Impact Books main website at yourbigimpactbook.com. It covers book publishing and promotion, free resources, the blog, media appearances, and founder Melanie Herschorn’s books. This site summarizes the same services in a question and answer format for readers comparing book publishing services.

Read all 48 book publishing questions on the FAQ page