…are they right for you?
There are several quality print on demand (POD) book services that have many benefits to an author. With advancements in technology and the current shifts in the book industry, authors need to evaluate the differences between finding a book publisher, self-publishing through a POD service or self-publishing and printing in bulk. No matter what your decision, you are ultimately responsible for marketing your title.*
Here are a few things to consider when evaluating your options. Print on Demand services are:
Ideal for authors who:
- Have exhausted the traditional route of finding a publisher for their title.
- Do not have the money or knowledge to find their own illustrator and printer.
- Do not have the space to store the books produced by a batch printer.
- Do not need the revenue generated from book sales.
- Are publishing a black and white book with no size requirements.
- Are publishing journals, academic titles or other niche titles.
Pros of POD:
- Authors can turn their manuscripts into books within weeks.
- Upfront costs to layout and format your title can cost as little as $500.00
- Books can be updated often as necessary.
- POD services usually supply an ISBN number for your title.
- Will set up your title on Amazon.com and in the system of other major distributors.
- Can convert your title into an eBook for digital download for that growing market.
- POD services will sell your title on their site and have a link from your site to theirs.
Cons of POD:
- There are restrictions on the size, shape and type of the book. i.e. most can’t do color picture book or landscape shapes.
- You need to do your homework and check references with other authors who have used their service. Although technology has improved, not all POD services are the same. Watch for inflated fees to cover free services.
- You will make far less money than if you printed the title in bulk. Most POD services charge apx $8-$10.00 per book sold and shipped.
- Most distributors or national chain stores will not take you seriously unless you have hundreds if not thousands of copies available to you immediately.
- The distribution programs with Amazon, Ingram, B&T and others is poor. Your title is just set you up in their system with the basics and that’s it. No one will be marketing your title for you.
- Most POD services will charge you to convert your title to an eBook.
Links to some popular POD services.
*Rick Lite is the marketing and distribution brains behind Stress Free Kids. He has been responsible for launching dozens of book and CD titles over the past 6 years. His marketing strategies have included creating partnerships with dozens of distributors, resellers, catalog resellers both domestically and internationally along with many non for profit organizations who buy their titles for fundraising events and promotional programs. To date he has sold over 100,000 titles through Amazon.com alone and has successfully gotten his titles with Borders, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million for in-store placement.
Currently Mr. Lite is helping other authors create and implement marketing and distribution strategies. His offering helps authors navigate the road to bringing a title to market and out through a distribution network. His unique marketing strategies use today’s technologies along with traditional and proven marketing to produce results. His love for working with others coupled with his success growing Stress Free Kids, makes his service a valuable asset for any author, musician and publisher.
He is available for a FREE 15 minute phone consultation to discuss your title and his offering by contacting him at 770.321.4066 or rick@StressFreeKids.com.