Distribute Your Self-Published Book - Part 2
Judy Cullins c. 2005
Where is your book now? With a distributor? In a book store? Or,
did it already die an early death after a few months?
New self-published authors often believe they need a distributor
to sell a lot of books. They want to use Ingram or Baker & Taylor
because they think they need to get their book into the "brick
and mortar" bookstores like Barnes and Noble.
Authors go through many hoops and snags to accomplish this--what
I call the "traditional publishing nightmare" of inefficiency
and lack of support for authors. Usually the author only gets around
15% royalties. So many hoops, some give up. So many authors I speak
with who have gone this route still have hundreds, even thousands
of unsold copies littering up storage space. Talk about discouragement.
Part one is available at article-69@bookcoaching.com.
Whether you have a Print on Demand (POD) book, traditionally printed
book, or an eBook (eDocument), you can become your own distributor
these Online ways:
2. Distribute through your own ezine.
Write your own ezine if you want to attract more credibility, trust,
and sales. Because your potential clients and customers expect a
lot of free information, include useful content such as a feature
article, editor's note, resources, and tips. You'll get to be well
known as the "expert" in your field. In each ezine, add
your sales messages for your products or service. Keep your ezine
regular-once every two weeks or once a month to start. Keep it short--a
real challenge to many of us.
3. Distribute by submitting how-to free articles to top opt-in
ezines.
Online readers love free information. They subscribe to ezines
to which you can submit your well-written article. After learning
acceptable article formats from a bookcoach, start subscribing and
submitting them. Collect 5-10 edited articles before you send. After
you subscribe you can start submitting your articles to each ezine
who has a thousand or more subscribers. These potential buyers will
see your article with your sales-powered signature file on it every
time you submit it, leading them to your Web site.
Be sure your product is up on a Web site. Many Web publishers will
take your e or print book, sell it, and distribute it for you for
a commission of 60% or so. This is great for people who do not have
their own site.
4. Distribute through your signature file on every email you send.
Be sure to include at the bottom of each email or article submitted
your signature file. Include your name and title, your top benefit,
a free offer, a link to where your book is sold, your email and
Web address, and your local phone number. Aim for seven lines or
less. Everyone on the net accepts this subtle promotion form. If
you do not include it, you are passing up an easy way to draw attention
to your book.
5. Distribute through your own Web site.
Create your Web site with marketing pizzazz. Don't call the Web
Master until you have your plan, the home page sales copy and other
sales copy right. Some Web people are good with colorful graphics
and whirling things, but these don't sell your book. Be sure your
sales letter gives enough information for your potential customer
to decide to buy. Ask a book or copywriting coach to guide you.
6. Distribute through someone else's Web site.
Other ePublishers want your books--both print and eBooks. They
want you to write a 100 word or less blurb (including benefits and
testimonials). They will sell, distribute, and keep track of your
sales, sending you a check every few weeks or so. Most give you
royalties of 30-50% depending on whether it is a print or eBook.
For more information on where these sites are contact a bookcoach.
7. Get an ISBN number.
When you put an ISBN number on your book you are listed in "Books-in-Print."
Libraries, bookstores, and Amazon.com require ISBN. You pay $225
for 10 or $800 for 100 today. Another path to take is to contact
a publisher who works with authors who will put in time to promote
their books. I recommend www.yowbooks.com. Marshall is taking three
of my titles to Amazon and more.
For the money and amount of work this can be, you may do better
by putting your money and time into other Online venues, because
you don't need an ISBN number when you sell from your own Web site.
8. Distribute through a sales letter straight from your email.
Every time I want to promote my books or teleclasses, I send a
sales letter. You may already have your ezine subscribers in a list.
Collect all kinds of lists of emails to include satisfied customers,
teleclass participants, ePublishers, or fellow networkers.
Send sales letters that promote your books, your classes, or your
service. Once I learned this follow-up method of staying in touch
with my target audience, sales rose from $75 a month to $3000 a
month in only eight months--much more the following years. Each
month, count profits, not numbers of books sold. Internet marketing
authors get to keep all the money!
After several years of research and submitting to traditional publishing
and distribution venues, I got discouraged and decided to become
an author's advocate. When I turned to the Internet four years ago,
I found that with a little delegation, a little study with a knowledgeable
coach, a little attention, and a little money, my top-selling 10
eBooks earn enough for me to make one-half of my income each month.
I encourage you to try this kind, gentle, and easy way to get your
print or eBook into your audience's hand.
For more information about writing, books, and publishing click here.
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Book and Internet Marketing Coach, Judy Cullins, can help you build credibility and clients, sell a lot of books, and make maximum profits. Author of 11 books including Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast and The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic" Get her free eBook"20 High Octane Book Writing and Marketing Tips" and two free monthly ezines at http://www.bookcoaching.com
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