Is There One Best Way to Sell Books Online?

When you self-publish a book, many of the most important decisions are about what to price it and where to sell it -- two things that make book fulfillment services and full-service printers attractive options. The freedom to price your books as you see fit and sell in multiple retail channels is crucial to your long-term success. We bring up these points because it's common for self-publishers to be laser-focused on print-on-demand to exclude other options. On-demand printing relieves you of responsibilities but can come at a high price, limiting your pricing and where-to-sell options.

Hybrid models involving online sales and brick-and-mortar stores are increasingly important. In general retailing terminology, it's called "omnichannel," which means selling everywhere your customers are present. It's similar to target readers, and allowing them to buy wherever they shop is crucial. Your competitors will be doing it, and if you limit your retail options, you may reduce your book sales automatically. When you go with on-demand printing, it often limits you to selling on one website. When you print independently, you can sell anywhere online and in as many stores as you choose.

Planning is an excellent idea and often enhances your success. But you don't want to be overly controlled in your book project. Maintaining the freedom to adjust to book buying trends frees you to participate in more marketplace. People often buy books spontaneously and intuitively, and reaching them in the right places matters. It's also why a catchy title, descriptive subtitle (for nonfiction books), and unique but understandable cover design matter so much. Books are products; you need a package that appeals to your target readers. Getting it right will always boost your sales.

Some independent authors who self-publish their work engage book distributors. They have sales forces that make proactive pitches to sell titles to specific retailers. Their clients include big box stores with high-traffic book aisles. If your book Is sold to higher-traffic retailers, you can rack up more significant numbers quickly. When reorders come in, you'll see sustained sales that help your book's numbers grow impressively. If you plan to write a subsequent book, the success of your first one matters even more. Strong sales make it more likely that the same successful retailers will welcome your following books.