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How to Sell Self-Published Books Online

There are more books than book outlets, and the gap is growing. The popularity of self-published books has grown in recent years, mostly due to the popularity and ease of publishing online books, as well as the expansion of online booksellers. While large publishers, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, still dominate the market, dozens of brick-and-mortar bookstores have established online pages that offer a less-traditional but potentially higher-profile outlet for your book.

Instructions

    • 1

      Use multiple publishers. More outlets can translate into more buyers. Research the companies that will give you the best margins or the highest number of sales. Many online sellers will require you to pay shipping costs and provide them with an adequate inventory. Often, this will come down to a choice between selling more books or making more money. Determine your priorities.

    • 2

      Price your book appropriately. Your book should be priced to cover your costs, and then some, but shouldn't cost as much as a bestseller. Figure out the per-copy publishing costs and add any shipping or advertising costs. Decide how much you want to make for each book sold.

    • 3

      Look for opportunities to draw attention to your book, such as conventions and meetings. Let people who might be interested in the subject know that you've published a book. Post links to your book on your Web page. Offer to talk on radio, television or online podcasts about your book.

    • 4

      Promote your book. Take copies to places where people might be interested in it. Buy online advertisements on relevant websites. Find email lists on which people would be interested in your book and notify them of its availability. Create a Web page for your book. Use social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter, for promotional purposes.

Book Publishing

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