Part 2: Self Publishing
By Stephanie Koehler -Director of Marketing Services Ingram Content Group Inc.
As a reader and occasional copywriter, I’ve long suspected that there is a book somewhere inside my brain. Its exact nature is speculated to be either shakily plotted science fiction or melodramatic literary fiction. Either way it would have more ennui than plot and I’m doing the world a favor by leaving it firmly in the idle house party banter phase of development.
However, lots of other people actually complete the task of writing books. I am in their shadow. The potential output of the well motivated wordsmith is fascinating. I’ve seen folks at NaNoWriMo write-ins crank out 5,000 words an afternoon. For those who succeed in creating a work, congratulations! Now your challenge is finding an audience.
It is easier than ever for an author to self-publish – check out Ingram’s indie publishing platform – IngramSpark. The tools and technology for editing, producing and distributing books are widely available. Still, successfully producing and marketing a book can be daunting for many non-professional authors. Choosing covers, managing metadata, and finding distribution channels are all important keys to success. Non-traditional publishing and author services companies are emerging resources that offer self-published authors stewardship and technical assistance.
Self published authors have a big responsibility in promoting their books independently. Market access for self-published authors is different than for traditional publishing. This means that connecting with large chains, libraries and indie retailers is more difficult. Many authors find success in the direct-to-consumer market. By identifying an audience and working a strategic marketing plan, authors can bring books to the people who are most likely to read them.
In future posts, I’ll discuss four things to consider in promoting a book:
- Accurate and robust metadata
- Know your audience
- Offer discounts
- Seek alternative channels
Stephanie Koehler
Director of Marketing Services
Ingram Content Group Inc.
