Tips for Writers
Print and Digital Publishing Strategy
By Jerry D. Simmons | February 1st, 2010 | 1 Comment » (Click to add yours!)
The business of book publishing was founded on the concept of the printed word on paper. With the recent rise of the eBook and digital delivery of content the industry is being forced into rethinking their strategy toward both print and digital. Old school publishers are hesitant to give digital any noticeable recognition for two reasons: first because today it represents only a few percentage points of total business and second, digital delivery upsets the tradition of the printed word.
The development of eReaders has given rise to a potentially lucrative market for publishers. However the tendency to publish first with print followed by digital has flaws. Traditional fears of canalizing sales from one format to another is an anachronistic way of thinking and in order for publishers to succeed, they need to change. It’s no longer possible for publishers of any size to ignore the marketplace and continue with business as usual.
This is especially true for small independent publishers whose business model has up to this point centered on print. The focus of print followed by digital is no longer a viable option. The economics of production and long standing discounts to booksellers have made the margins for print virtually impossible. It makes little sense, outside an overall strategy of print and digital, to consider the printed book the cornerstone of an author’s plan to create an audience and sell books.
Recent changes within the industry now make publishing a manuscript independently more acceptable than ever before. Professional production standards with savvy marketing have created some outstanding books that have been successful competing in the marketplace against all published books, not just independently published titles. This is a major accomplishment for the segment of the market that has long since been ignored. However, the negative perception of “self-published” remains so writers must be smart about the imprint that is attached to their book.
Any writer who has a professionally edited manuscript and is interested in charting a successful course to publication must develop an overall strategy that includes print, digital, audio and foreign rights, I encourage you seek out all options before making a final decision. Setting goals for yourself as an author and for your books should include professional consultation. Information is vital to making smart decisions and avoiding the pitfalls of publishing on your own.
Tags: Book Distribution, Book Marketing, Book Publishing, Book Sales, Hybrid Publishing Model, Self-Published Author, Self-Publishing
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