Something I noticed is that all of those guys who are able to make a living from publishing Ebooks have more than 7 books out. Something I can easily do. And I have social media to help push myself along.Leigh, I think the key phrase is, "if it does well." What are you going to be able to do to make sure it does well? It is not impossible, but it is difficult.
The website and cover are not a concern since I do a lot of digital art as a hobby. Marketing service I don't really think will be an issue since I already know my plan of action for marketing and if I need marketing assistance, I do have some money set aside. I've been reading blog by editors and new authors at the Big 6 don't even get marketing assistance really.Remember, it's not 70% returns -- it's 70% royalty. If you pay for an editor, cover and layout designer, website, marketing services, etc., you won't have any return on investment until your royalties have exceeded those costs.
(And remember, for all beginning authors, published by the big guys, the indies, or self, do NOT calculate your own hourly pay rate or you'll be too depressed to continue and decide it would be more profitable to grow and sell your hair)
The only thing making my cringe is the editor fees, but the editor who is taking a look at my other book said that its a 3-4 hour job for the length that I write and at that point is only $150-200. That's really reasonable from what I have seen.
All of those people have to be paid when you get a Big 6 contract too.... and if the book sells well then you only get I think it was roughly 17%. This way, I get more money for what I'm writing.
I'm not completely sold on this idea..... merely giving it more weight as an option.