Guest blogger John F. Allen on an e-book marketing strategy.
When new authors look to get their e-books published, I recommend they take the time to formulate a marketing and distribution strategy. A simple start would be to look at advertising using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc… This will allow the authors to inform a wide range of people that they have a book coming out, in order to build a level of anticipation. This can also serve to allow potential readers a glimpse into the author’s mind and process/writing methods. This can help to humanize authors and allow for interaction between them and their readers.
Next, they might determine where they will sell their e-books. Barnes & Noble has a platform for Independent Authors known as PubIt!. With this platform, the author creates a free PubIt! account, uploads their manuscript to the Barnes & Noble website, selects a price point and places the work for sell. Readers can purchase the e-book directly from the website for download to their PC, nook reader, or other mobile device by utilizing a free and easy to download app.
Amazon.com is another place to sell e-books. They have a similar platform called Kindle Direct Publishing which allows independent authors the ability to make their work available on the Kindle. With both of these platforms the author must agree to allow Barnes & Noble or Amazon to collect a percentage of the retail cost (usually a third or less, depending upon the price point set for the work). The remainder of the money is then deposited into a bank account designated by the author as a royalty. Going this route gives the author a slight reputation boost by having their work distributed by a two of the largest and most well known distributors of books.
Another avenue is for authors to sell copies of their e-books exclusively from their websites. With this option, the authors receive all of the profit made by selling their work; however, they are also solely responsible for getting the word out about their work. What authors gain in maximizing profits, they lose in having their work associated with a well known distributor and a generally larger platform for circulation.
I personally recommend using all three in conjunction with print on demand (POD) options, in order to maximize exposure and profit. I’d also advise authors to offer a pdf version of the work from their websites as well. This allows for those who haven’t yet obtained an electronic reader or other mobile device to have access to your work on their PC.
To learn more about John F. Allen, go to his website at www.johnfallenwriter.com
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