Here is my 2 cents: I self publish as well as go with pubs - both big and small. My views have been consistent even higher when I self publish but then again it might be due to the fact that I have an audience -

The reason why I go with pubs is I enjoy being part of the community - the small pub one like CT and many of my Medium friends own pubs and I feel it is all part of building community to contribute and be part of their growth as well -

For example I doubt you and I would have had the opportunity to be friends if I chose to self publish and not be part of the CT community