Everyone knows you can make more money (or save money) by "cutting out" the middleman. This idea is even more tempting when you consider eBooks cost nothing to manufacture beyond the cost to create the first copy. So why don't more authors and publishers sell direct to the public rather than to stores like Amazon Kindle, Apple iTunes, B&N Nook, et al.? I can think of 2 primary reasons: Those stores have an audience. Readers visit daily to look for books to read. Readers of eBooks … [Read more...]
Canaries in the Coalmine: Lessons and Insights for Book Publishers from Digital Music, Video and Content Marketing
For the last four years I have presented an annual address on eBooks to the Publishers and Writers of San Diego, a 300+ member organization focused on the business of publishing and an affiliate of IBPA. This year I choose to highlight events, trends and techniques in digital video, music and online marketing and how they apply to eBook publishing and book marketing. As one attendee put it: “You not only presented the material in an approachable manner, but you drilled down to specifics and … [Read more...]
Sideloading Large Kindle Mobi Files Using iTunes When Files are Too Big to Email
One of our specialties is programming complex eBooks and that can often mean that the final file can be quite large (here’s why*). If you are uploading the files into the stores then as long as the file size meets the requirements of the store, a large file won’t be a problem. But what happens if you want to have someone help you proof the eBook? Or you wish to share it with a colleague? The procedure is called sideloading and there are two steps. Sending the file(s) and loading them on the … [Read more...]
CreateSpace eStore: Pros, Cons and Why You May Not Want One
A potentially nice benefit of using CreateSpace is that you can create a branded online CreateSpace eStore to sell your book. It’s fast and easy to setup, and it’s free. But I say potentially because there are a few things to know before you decide to funnel your shoppers to your eStore instead of the regular Amazon store. This is important because the process of buying a book is a little more involved for the regular Amazon shopper and you might end up losing sales at the expense of improving … [Read more...]
Sideloading Mobi Files: Installing Kindle eBooks When You Don’t Buy from Amazon
Reading an Amazon Kindle Mobi eBook file is like reading a PDF, all you need is the free reading software designed for your device or app. But for many people the challenge isn’t finding the free software (click here for that), it’s how to get the darn eBook file onto your device! The most popular ways to do this are: Download the file and then transfer it via a cable. Import it into iTunes and then sync with your iOS device. Use a cloud storage app like Dropbox, Box, SugarSync, … [Read more...]
8 Ideas for Planning Your eBook Holiday Sales Strategy
I’ve read that holiday sales for some retailers account for as much as 40% of their annual revenue. Even if that number is inflated, us eBook publishers should be able to sell a few more books than our usual monthly average, right? Like any marketing effort it requires advance planning, and a budget. After all, sales during this period are no different than any other sale—it’s the theme that’s different. Let’s brainstorm a few ideas… As with any sale some of these work together, some are … [Read more...]
Scribd’s Real Opportunity-It Isn’t Subscription Revenue
One of the most talked about developments in eBooks this week was the partnership of HarperCollins and Scribd to sell eBooks on a subscription basis. For $8.99 a month readers can read all the books they want—not just those of HarperCollins but any in the library. (Here are stories from the LA Times, TechCrunch and Time.) I’ve been a fan of Scribd for a couple years now and regularly recommend it to clients as a marketing tool. Authors and publishers routinely put up chapters or more of their … [Read more...]
Do Author’s Need a Website? Maybe, Maybe Not
It seems like a forgone conclusion that every author needs a website. But with the free services that major retailers and social media websites provide, do these investments of time and money pay off by helping authors sell more books? A panel discussion at a recent Digital Book World conference made a strong case for authors to question this investment. Social media—especially Facebook—seems to be a worthy alternative to authors trying to build and engage a community on their own. In fact, … [Read more...]
An eBook Strategy for Barnes and Noble—Thinking Outside the Bookstore Box
Barnes and Noble has been in the news a lot this year. Not just because of poor earnings—again—but because they seeming have no eBook strategy or plan to deal with their predicament. Ever since admitting their Nook unit was not performing as expected it has been a chain of bad news stories. People are beginning to ask if the end could be near. It may be near as we know it, but there is no reason Barnes and Noble's eBook infrastructure and talent can't be extended. Here are 3 things BN has … [Read more...]
Free on Your Website, Charge on Amazon-An eBook Publishing Strategy for Businesses
One thing that the eBook publishing revolution has brought us is the ability for any rights holder—businesses, universities, associations, museums, teams, etc—to offer eBook formatted information to the public. At the same time it doesn’t mean that you need to charge for it. As I’ve talked about before some businesses provide their information in these formats strictly for customer convenience. But simultaneously charging and giving away is different because the goals of revenue and promotion … [Read more...]
