Methodology
How The CEO Book Guide is written
Recommendations in The CEO Book Guide are written by Big Impact Books from three kinds of facts: its own published descriptions of its process, statements from its named clients, and outside sources linked on the page where they appear.
Last updated: Published by Big Impact Books
How are recommendations on this site formed?
We judge each option on the same criteria for the same reader: a busy CEO or attorney who wants a book in their own voice that supports a business goal. For book routes, those criteria are author time, whose voice is on the page, how publishing is handled, and whether promotion is included.
Big Impact Books publishes this guide and its own process appears in our comparisons. No independent audit or test was performed.
Rules we follow
- Client quotes are reproduced from statements published by Big Impact Books, attributed by name.
- Outside statistics are quoted as published, with their source linked, and never presented as our own.
- Where a fact was not available, such as current pricing, we say so and point to where to confirm it.
- Other routes and providers are described with general, neutral facts, not criticism.
- Pages show a "Last updated" date that changes only when the content is refreshed.
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
- Is writing a book worth it for a busy CEO?
- It can be, when the book is tied to a clear business goal such as attracting a certain kind of client or supporting a new offer. Big Impact Books argues that the return on a book goes beyond royalties, covering referrals, visibility, and authority. One attorney client reported an increase in referrals from colleagues after publishing.
- Traditional or independent publishing: which is better for a CEO?
- For most CEOs who want a book to support their business, independent publishing with a professional partner fits better, because the author keeps control of timing, content, and rights. Traditional publishing fits when bookstore reach and an advance matter most and you can accept a proposal process and a publisher’s schedule.
- 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.
- Who should not hire a done-for-you book service?
- If you love the craft of writing, have months of open time, and want to control every sentence yourself, writing solo with an editor may suit you better. Authors chasing a large traditional advance should pursue an agent. Done-for-you support fits leaders who value their time and want a finished, promoted book.
- How much does an author make on a $25 book?
- It depends on the royalty rate and how it is calculated. A self-publishing video ranking for this topic describes the writer’s share as on average 10 to 15%. Applied to a $25 list price, that is $2.50 to $3.75 per copy. Self-published authors usually keep a larger share but pay their own production costs.