Do your research and be informed. Many order fulfillment and distribution companies charge a hefty monthly minimum fee if your monthly sales volume does not meet their requirements. Keep this in mind when you are choosing an order fulfillment company.
Stop! Ask! And move forward when guided by knowledge.
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Many days, there is too much to do and not enough hours in the day to get it done. Everyone experiences that feeling! No one more so than independent publishers. Writing is a business, publishing is a business and then there is the business side of both, too. Keeping track of your sales and inventory reports, maintaining a database of your customers purchasing your company’s publications, handling pro-forma invoices for trade and wholesale accounts, shipping orders. It all takes away from your task at hand of publishing. If you are a growing publishing company, you know exactly what I mean.
Affordable order fulfillment companies for independent publishers are available to help with the business and shipping side of your publishing company. What would it mean if you could really focus just on the tasks of publishing?
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Are you ready to self publish but not quite sure to where to begin? There is a wonderful guide published by Tri-State Litho called Self Publishing: A Writers Guide. It will help you make the transition from manuscript to a printed, published book. It has information on applying for ISBNs, copywriting, Library of Congress Catalog Card numbers, page design, fonts, paper weights. Other useful information includes offset vs. digital printing, book binding options, and a super glossary for all publishing terms. It is a resource that beginner independent publishers should not be without.
To obtain a copy of this book contact Frank Compagna at Tri-State Litho, Phone #800-836-7581 or see their website www.tristatelitho.com. While you are at it, ask them about their short run printing services and tell them Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC said to call.
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Many independent publishers make the mistake of concentrating on the writing of their book foremost. Marketing should not be thought of after the book is written. For the best outcome for book sales, it should be considered before a word is written. Think of your audience – who you are writing to and for. It is often easier to identify target markets for non-fictional publications, and you can often market to wider, broader markets.
With fiction, ask yourself, is your publication more age appropriate to adults, children, ‘tweens, young adults, preschoolers? Throughout your writing, keep your writing age appropriate to your identified market. Are there any special interest groups within the age group you have identified?
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Creating a “buzz” about your book is what it is all about. Independent publishers or self publishing authors play a critical role in book sales. Authors need to make a connection with their readers as well as sell themselves.
A few years ago, I attended a publishers “college.” I met a woman that I will never forget, nor her book! Her book was called “Grandma’s Magic Scissors.” First of all, the author was a grandmotherly type, through and through. She dressed unlike grandmothers of today, but like grandmothers of days gone bye. Best way I can describe it was “matronly.” In short, she played the part to the hilt, and was as nice as can be – you know, “grandmotherly.” To top it all off, she wore a fabulous hat. Her book was about paper cutting. How to fold paper and cut it into fabulous designs like snowflakes, castles, birds, chess peices. All I wanted to do was buy a copy of the book and sit down, scissors in hand, with this fabulous woman and learn the craft of paper cutting!
She sold her book well, her craft well, and her brand was recognizable!
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Were you successful in finding a traditional publisher for your manuscript first time around but after sending a deluge of query letters for your next publication, each one was met with a letter of rejection? Have you considered independent publishing? It is an option and there are advantages as well. You have greater control over your written word, there are lots of freelance professionals to assist you and you may even retain a greater percentage of the profits.
Begin by talking with others who have made the transition from traditional publishing to independent publishing. Local writers groups often have author members who have experienced both traditional and independent publishing. See how the two compare. Gather information from freelance professionals – editors, book printers, cover designers, book marketers, order fulfillment companies and the like.
Knowledge is power!
All Things Fulfilling 