The Vanity Press Lie: Why Publishing Your Own Book is a Power Move

Are you hesitating to write a book because you've heard self-publishing or hybrid publishing called "vanity press"? It's time to debunk that outdated myth once and for all.

In this powerful episode of The Tarryn Reeves Show, host Tarryn Reeves flips the script on the stigma surrounding self-publishing, uncovering why it's not only strategic but essential for entrepreneurs who want to stand out as industry leaders.

You'll discover:

• Why self-publishing or hybrid publishing your book is not vanity—it's visibility and leadership.
• How outdated perceptions of "vanity press" are limiting your authority and business growth.
• Real-world examples of entrepreneurs who transformed their businesses by confidently publishing their own books.
• Practical insights on overcoming fear of judgment and stepping fully into your expertise.

It's time to claim your space, amplify your message, and build genuine authority through authorship. Because if you don't publish your book, someone else in your industry will.

Tune in now to redefine your perception of self-publishing and unlock your power move.

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Transcript

Welcome to the Tarryn Reeves Show, where your journey to empowerment takes centre stage. I'm your host, Tarryn Reeves, best selling author and publishing expert. Together we'll dive into the hearts and minds of visionaries, disruptors, and trailblazing leaders to explore the most compelling and thought provoking ideas in life, business, and marketing.

Let's inspire, impact, and ignite. This is The Tarryn Reeves Show. Alrighty. Today, we're tackling something that gets me so frickin fired up. This outdated, ridiculous concept called the vanity press. Now, if you're not familiar with the term, it's what people have called self publishing or hybrid publishing for years, implying that it's somehow egotistical or desperate to publish your own book.

But I call complete bullshit on that. What utter nonsense. In fact, I'm here to flip that script upside [00:01:00] down. Because here's the thing, claiming your expertise by publishing your own book isn't vanity. It's visibility. It's leadership. It's freaking business for God's sake. It's stepping up and being seen as the expert you truly are.

So, if you've ever hesitated to write your book because you're worried about looking vain or self promotional or someone said, oh that's Vanity Press, you're exactly who needs to hear today's episode. Let's do it. Alright, let's first unpack this term. Vanity Press. Just listen to it. Vanity. You're so vain, you probably think this episode's about you.

Well, it is. Like publishing your ideas is some sort of self indulgent ego boost. Historically, this label came from traditional publishers who wanted to protect their own power, their own business model. Those gatekeepers who decided what was worthy of print and what wasn't. [00:02:00] Sounds a bit oppressive to me.

Guess what? Times have changed. We no longer need permission to share our ideas, our stories and our expertise. Entrepreneurs and industry leaders like you and me aren't waiting around for some big publisher's stamp of approval. We're taking matters into our own hands because frankly, we know our audience better than they ever could.

Yet, despite how far we've come, I still meet brilliant entrepreneurs and professionals who hold themselves back, stuck thinking that publishing their own book makes them seem less legitimate somehow. Here's why that thinking is flawed. One, self publishing today isn't what it was 20 years ago. It's accessible, it's profitable, and it's credible.

Additionally, you then have hybrid publishing, which is kind of the best of both worlds. Two, readers don't give a shit who published your book. [00:03:00] They just care about the value that you deliver. And number three, traditional publishers often take over 80 percent of your earnings. How is reclaiming your financial power vanity?

That's mad. And here's the real kicker. I've seen entrepreneurs rejected by publishers go on to become best selling authors who transformed thousands of lives. Why? Because they stopped waiting for validation and they just did it. Imagine how many brilliant ideas, solutions, and stories are locked away right now, all because someone's worried about being labeled vain.

It's wild! Now let's get something else crystal clear. Wanting to publish your own book isn't vanity. It's strategic, it's powerful, and it positions you as a leader in your field. Let me tell you a quick story about one of my clients. We'll call her Sarah. Sarah spent years hesitating because she worried her peers would think she was showing off if she published a book.

She felt [00:04:00] awkward about self promotion. Maybe you can relate. But finally, she decided enough was enough. She published her book and guess what? She didn't just gain visibility, she literally changed lives. Her book became a tool that opened doors for speaking engagements, podcasts, and media appearances. She went from being just another coach to the go to expert in her niche.

Would you call that vanity? Or would you call it leadership? You see, when you publish your book, you're not saying, look at me, I'm awesome. You're saying, I have something valuable that can help you. And isn't that exactly what great entrepreneurs and leaders do? Here's the truth. Your audience isn't judging your intentions.

They're looking for solutions. Your book positions you as the authority that people trust. Authority builds relationships, and relationships build businesses. That's visibility. That's leadership. And that's powerful, not vain. Now, you may be wondering, well, [00:05:00] what's underneath all of this hesitancy? Because there's always something deeper, right?

The human experience is deep. Sometimes a little too deep. It usually comes down to fear of judgment. Imposter syndrome and all of the discomfort around self promotion and talking about yourself. And, let's be honest. Putting yourself out there can feel vulnerable. It can be really uncomfortable. And you might wonder things like, Oh, well, who am I to call myself an expert?

What if people think I'm full of myself? What if I write this thing and pour all of myself into it and nobody cares? Sound familiar? Well, here's the deal. If you don't claim your authority, someone else absolutely will. I promise you right now, there's someone in your industry with half your knowledge and experience, boldly sharing their message, landing clients and making an impact.

Why? Because they had the courage to publish their book. Think about it. People like Rene Brown or Tony Robbins [00:06:00] didn't become household names by playing small. They stepped into their expertise, wrote their books, shared their knowledge, and refused to apologize for being visible. Your book is your legacy.

It's your declaration that your ideas matter. It's not bragging. It's serving at the highest, most beautiful level. If you're still listening to this and you're still feeling hesitant, That's normal, but staying hesitant won't change lives, yours or anyone else's. Authority is about taking responsibility to share your gifts.

And if you have something that can change someone's life or business. It's actually your responsibility to get it out there. So here's my challenge for you today. Stop letting fear or outdated stigmas around vanity press, hold you back. Stop worrying about seeming too much. Instead, choose to show up fully.

Claim your authority and publish your darn book. And if you're ready, but not sure where to start, reach out. My team and I specialize in guiding entrepreneurs like you, from idea to [00:07:00] published best selling author. You can hit me up on a DM or visit automaticauthority. com to learn more. Please remember, visibility is not vanity.

It's courage. It's leadership. It's exactly what your audience is waiting for. Now, go write your book. It's time to claim your authority.

That's a wrap on today's episode. If you love the insights and inspiration, don't let it end here. Hit subscribe to stay connected and turn your visions into reality alongside our community of changemakers. I'm Teryn Reeves. Thank you for joining me. And remember, your story has power. See you in the next episode.