when selling a book through an on line or print on demand publisher what would be considered a good payout % ?

Answer 1

None, because POD books will not sell no matter how vigorously you market them--unless and only if you have a niche market you can already reach.

So if you're active in a model train community, for instance, both in person and online, and attend conventions and such, you may already have a market you can reach. You can advertise to them in their newsletter, maybe even set up a table at Train-Con, mention it on your train blog, etc.

But if you're written fiction, the percentage of royalties you agree to is moot, because you're unlikely to sell more than about 75 copies no matter what you do. The income difference between six percent and ten percent will be laughably small.

Sorry, I wish I had more encouraging information, but PODs are a terrible way to blow $800 or so. Instead, spend it on writing classes, reference books, and other things that may make you competitive in the real market.

Answer 2

Through those methods, you'll be lucky if you break even.