Is It Better to Book Self Publish or Go Traditional?

I’m considering whether to book self publish or pursue a traditional publishing route for my first manuscript. How much control, cost, and marketing responsibility should an author expect when self-publishing? For writers who have self-published, did it help you reach your audience effectively, or were there unexpected challenges? I’d love to hear experiences about the benefits and drawbacks of choosing self-publishing over traditional methods to better understand which path might work best.