What’s wrong with Print-On-Demand?
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 27th, 2010 | 5 Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Nothing as a technology, but plenty as a publishing business model. Unfortunately for those who publish with a POD their books will not be accepted in the stores or warehouses of booksellers. What this means is that corporate and large independent bookstores will not purchase books in quantity for display in their stores that are printed by a POD publisher. That is not my rule, but the rule of the marketplace.
The reason is lack of editorial control which results in a negative perception of all published books by a POD. These companies publish anything that comes their way. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as the writer understands the limitations before they sign a contract and pay money to publish. POD’s are in the business of printing books for their authors and they do not control the editorial quality of the authors they print. They make money by selling products, services and programs to large quantities of writers and not upon selling books. This is the problem with print-on-demand as a publishing model.
The technology is wonderful, allowing authors and publishers to print small quantities of books in an instant to meet market demand. The problem is market access and the negative perception of the quality of the content based solely on the publisher. Until a company using print-on-demand technology as a form of printing exercises some editorial control over what they publish and not accept anything that walks in the door, the marketplace will continue to turn their back on these books.
Ask the Tough Questions
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 26th, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Many of my blogs have to do with “so-called experts” who try and secure money from unsuspecting writers and authors. As much as I wish could write about more positive, constructive things, it becomes necessary for me to warn my readers that there are lots of people calling themselves “publishing experts” who are nothing of the kind. I find it once again important to give you some advice, and that is – ask the tough questions.
When someone tries to sell you a product or service, ask them about their success rate? Ask them to give you references? Go to their web sites and locate authors and titles, then do your best to inquire about the product or service? Network with me and other writers, members of your writing or critique group for advice. If you cannot find authors, titles, or anyone who seems to know anything about the product or service, then you really have to be careful.
The second thing you should inquire about is the person or company’s background, experience, and qualifications as an “expert.” When someone tells you they have been in publishing for 20 years, does that really qualify them to sell you their product or service? You need to dig deeper and find out the names of the companies they worked for? In what capacity, what was their job? What were their responsibilities? What were their successes in the business? Let them give you the names of the authors and titles with which they worked. Again, if this information is unavailable, then are they really experts?
If you dig deep before you buy, complete your due diligence with regard to the product or service, and ask for proof of the success, then you stand a good chance of saving lots of money and plenty of time. Ask the tough questions and it will serve you well, don‘t allow yourself to become a victim of these “experts.”
The Truth about Book Distribution
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 25th, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
One of my readers sent an email asking about a particular book distribution program. He wanted to know if it was a scam. He quoted from some article he read where it talked about a distributor that went out of business trying to distribute books for small publishers. He said the article described bookstore distribution as a scam. There was in fact a small book distributor that did go out of business a few years ago because they didn’t understand what they were doing, which often happens to businesses with a bad plan.
When a small company of any kind, distributor or publisher, enters the world of book distribution to the mainstream marketplace, they better understand the rules and how to compete with the big corporate publishers. That is especially true with book distribution. One of the reasons for launching my book distribution program last year was to offer authors, small and micro-publishers an opportunity for exposure in the marketplace. This is a program that was two years in the making and I would not even attempt to launch if I didn’t feel it was viable and could be competitive against the corporate companies.
Book distribution into booksellers such as bookstores is a very competitive business and there are no guarantees of success. My program offers access to book buyers and nothing more. Anyone that tries to offer more doesn’t understand the business. Those that wish to throw stones at the idea of book distribution to bookstores just don’t understand the market. They know how to make money selling unsuspecting writers and authors products and services that don’t work. In turn they want to attack those that are trying to make the independent market a better place for authors, small and micro-publishers.
Nothing in the printed book business is easy, but before you jump to a book distributor make sure you understand the costs, terms and risks.
Too Good to Be True Sales Offers
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 24th, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
When you run across an email with a marketing pitch that offers an “incredible sales opportunity,” or some other verbiage that sounds too good to be true, well it probably is too good to be true. I’ve written about knowing the questions to ask before you make a purchase of a product or service. Warning you about companies that are slow to respond to emails, fail to provide key executives background or experience and those that offer no contact information such as a phone number in their correspondence, as companies you should stay far away from.
When the offer sounds intriguing and the price is right, but you get to the small print and discover there are “hidden fees” then stop right there and move on, it’s not worth it. If you manage to work past the small print and agree with paying the “hidden fees” and find the web site is, shall we say, less than credible in appearance, then run the other way. If a legitimate company cannot give you (1) biographies of the principles of the company, (2) phone numbers or contact numbers besides a mere email address, or (3) a web site that looks like it was created by a ten year-old, then folks, you are not going to get what you think you are getting.
People and companies that offer products and services to writers and authors that fail to meet these minimum of standards, don’t belong in the business. Their claim to fame is making money off your desire to sell books! Don’t buy it! Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Publishers Who Avoid Specifics on Their Web Site
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 23rd, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Every week I receive emails from many of my newsletter readers asking me to comment on publishing companies, which I am happy to do. What amazes me is how many of these “publishers” never offer the names, background or experience of the people involved with the company. They typically make very generic statements such as “our executives have years of corporate experience,” and to that my questions would be: corporate experience in what? Publishing? For whom? How long? What was your job?
If you are serious about publishing your writing, one where you have invested an enormous amount of time creating, why in the world would you trust a company to publish that is afraid or unwilling to reveal who they are? I’m sorry folks but this is wrong! You are making a huge mistake if you turn your writing over to these kinds of companies! This follows a theme I’ve written about many times, it’s a buyer beware kind of industry, especially for the Independent writer.
If you don’t know the questions to ask, or you find a publisher that does not reveal who they are and what their experience in publishing might be, then please, avoid! Run the other way! Protect your copyright, protect the investment in your manuscript, save your money, don’t waste your time, there are plenty of reputable publishers.
Authors Can’t Succeed if They Don’t Participate
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 22nd, 2010 | 1 Comment » (Click to add yours!)
Too many times I hear authors complain about the fact they created a Facebook page and are writing on Twitter and nothing has happened to the sale of their book. Well the fact is you have to actively participate before anything will happen. Actively being the key word meaning consistently over a long period of time. If your page is static and you don’t provide new content then nothing will happen. It’s called the Law of Action.
The same goes for your web site, the fact is readers, those who actually buy books, will not shop a site that isn’t interesting or lacks rich content. You have to participate, you have to add to your personal profile, your bio, you need to create content for your site such as articles you have written about the subject you are familiar that should tie-into your book. Video or audio placed on your Facebook and other free sites is also recommended.
The more you create content as Independent authors, the more readers will pay attention. The Nothing Binding web site is free and has thousands of links to that site. If nothing happens and there is no new content to your web site, Facebook, Twitter page, or Nothing Binding profile consumers won’t react. Make your site and social network pages your stage, you must participate and make it happen for yourself and your book. Give an author an online presence and stage—who knows what will happen?
Facts about Publishing as an Independent Author
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 19th, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
The new hybrid publishing program offers the unpublished writer a choice, and the published author an opportunity. Anyone wanting to publish their manuscript or re-launch a previously published book should consider the hybrid model. Choosing how to publish should be a personal decision, not an economic one. If you want access to national booksellers and that market, you have to abide by their rules. There are no exceptions. The hybrid program has been designed to follow the national bookseller rules in every manner.
The new hybrid publishing and distribution program is identical to how the major New York publishers sell and distribute books for their various imprints. The economics of the printed book business require that new authors publish according to Book Industry Standards, which makes the profit margins extremely small. The marketplace demands quality in writing, production, categorization and pricing. These are the rules of the business and ones that all authors must abide.
If you have interest in learning more about the hybrid publishing and distribution model, send an email (Jerry@WritersReaders.com) and I’ll forward you free my “Guide to Publishing.” You can also visit (www.IndiPublishingGroup.com) web site by clicking on the link in the upper right hand side of this page.
Hardworking Authors
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 18th, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Every day I receive emails from authors who are busting their backs marketing their books. They are serious, hardworking, and leave few stones unturned. Many times the problem with lack of sales is that the author has not attracted attention to their book(s). That means that your message, book, or you are not being adequately marketed. Don’t allow this short term frustration move you in the direction of the scam artist who will charge you hundreds if not thousands of dollars for so-called “guaranteed” programs, products or services they attempt to sell to unsuspecting writers and authors.
Don’t buy before you know the questions to ask! This rule of thumb will save you precious time and money on programs, products and services that do not work. I don’t have all the answers but I know the questions. If books were easy to market and sell then every author would be successful. The fact is, marketing and selling books is hard, but if you remain consistent, don’t give up, and always, always ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING, you’ll be better off and have more money in your pocket.
Publication & Distribution Program
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 17th, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
There is a new program available that is offering a unique opportunity for independent writers, authors and small publishers to gain direct access to sales channels through a national distribution system for both print and eBooks. It is available for manuscripts and previously published books in one of three ways: (1) assist with print and/or eBook publication, (2) eBook distribution, and/or (3) print book distribution.
Both print and eBooks must be submitted for consideration. This program is searching for the very best independent books for national distribution. Once your manuscript or book has been selected you will be guided by the expertise of a group of professionals with more than 150 years New York publishing experience.
For consideration of your manuscript or book contact me via email (jerry@writersreaders.com). If your manuscript or book is chosen for this program there is never any guarantee of success. Distribution is the process of presenting your book to sales channels in the market largely unavailable to individual authors.
The purpose of this program is to provide “the best of the best” of independent print and eBooks access to the marketplace on a national level. Please forward me your questions or inquiries.
Book Distribution
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 16th, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Getting independently published print and eBooks distributed into the traditional bookseller market has been difficult. Many companies promise distribution services that encompass nothing more than availability as opposed to sales channel access. Our sales staff presents books to booksellers the same exact way the New York publishers sell books. That is my background and I understand sales and distribution. My group has the ability to assist writers in print and eBook distribution. This program opens the door to a sales channel that up to this point has been blocked. For more details on this program, contact me via email (jerry@writersreaders.com).
