Book Distribution Basics for Self-Publishing Authors

Dreaming of your book on the shelves of bookstores? It’s possible even as a self-published author - but before you fork out big bucks to a hybrid publisher or any other organization promising that distribution for your book, let’s make sure you have the basics and know what is worth spending money on for your book, and what’s not. So if you’re self-publishing a book and looking to have it carried beyond Amazon - this video is FOR YOU!
Links mentioned in this video:
nonfictionauthorsassociation....
www.ipgbook.com/
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:11 What Distribution Matters for an Author?
02:36 Print on Demand Benefits
04:30 What Does Wide Distribution Mean?
05:36 IPG Distributor with Store Sales Reps
07:48 Regional Bookseller Associations

[@scotthirwin]

Hi Julie. Another great video! Here is a measure of the value of these videos for you to consider. I am a very busy professor at the University of Illinois. Almost every time I receive a notification of new video from you I stop and watch it. Don't think I do that for any other media in the book business. I do think you are being too nice in this video about the pride thing for a self-published author getting a book into the traditional bookstore distribution. This is such a powerful emotion that I think it can lead self publishers to be taken advantage of by predatory actors in the business (and I think there are a lot of them). The bottom line is that the vast majority of self-published books will never see a copy in a bookstore and one should be wary of anyone who promises anything else. I admit to being new to the book business, but I have been surprised by how many sketchy pitches and business models are out there. I now use the following rule for my first response to anything in the self-publishing world: everyone, and I mean everyone, is out to scam me. It has served me well.

[@BookLaunchers]

Yikes! It sounds a lot like everyone is guilty until proven innocent but I understand how that could be a good way to stay protected. Thanks so much for sharing how much you value these videos. That made my day!! I hope your class doesn't mind the halt in class for 10 minutes when the notification comes on. ;) Thank you for commenting the day a video was released! Our next live is happening here on February 27th at 2pm PST. You’ve been entered to win a prize for your comment so you’ll want to be on that live to find out if you won! See you then!!

[@KevinHall-ux9hn]

Whenever you post one of these videos, I have to make sure I have pen and paper at the ready as I know there is going to be great information, and this video was no exception. My takes aways, besides the various entities you named for help with book placement, is something I think is a 'MUST DO' for any INDIE author. You must promote yourself/book and drum up the interest. It does not just magically happen. Being on many website-groups, I see it over and over again - I released my book and have no sales - what can I do...When the audience drills down deeper you find that the person is doing virtually nothing from marketing/get the word out perspective. Thank you for this video.

[@BookLaunchers]

I had a call with someone today and I asked him what he has done for marketing and his answer was "I put it on Amazon". 😁 Thank you for commenting the day a video was released! Our next live is happening here on February 27th at 2pm PST. You’ve been entered to win a prize for your comment so you’ll want to be on that live to find out if you won! See you then!!

[@beelinebill]

Excellent disty information, a few that I needed to be aware of. Love how you keep us authors current!

[@BookLaunchers]

My pleasure!

[@KJ-zr2ko]

❤Always great info. And right on about the need for bookstores and the bigger picture. 🎉

[@BookLaunchers]

Right?! Happy Friday!! Thank you for commenting the day a video was released! Our next live is happening here on February 27th at 2pm PST. You’ve been entered to win a prize for your comment so you’ll want to be on that live to find out if you won! See you then!!

[@darlamondragon718]

Thank you for this video. You provided a lot of vital information. The reminder of the time and effort VS benefit was extremely helpful. I am thrilled BL will provide us with guidance. ❤

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for commenting the day a video was released! Our next live is happening here on February 27th at 2pm PST. You’ve been entered to win a prize for your comment so you’ll want to be on that live to find out if you won! See you then!!

[@onceuponadance590]

Great info, Thanks!

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheOppositeIsTrueBook]

“A spine in a sea of spines.” Eerie visual Julie! 😮 This video gives us great perspective. 🙏

[@BookLaunchers]

hahah love that this is the phrase you took away from the video ... but it's true about that spine!! When bookstore distribution is important thinking about how the book looks spine out is really important. Lucky for you, your spine is a big one! :)

[@TheOppositeIsTrueBook]

Ha! It’s my morbid side I guess. But yes. Excellent context per usual!

[@camoflage61821]

This is GREAT! I've never seen a huge need to be in a bookstore...but my ego wouldn't mind seeing my work on a physical shelf near me.

[@BookLaunchers]

Go for it! It does feel good!

[@SaintJohnButler]

Great stuff is always Julie

[@BookLaunchers]

Thanks so much! Thank you for commenting the day a video was released! Our next live is happening here on February 27th at 2pm PST. You’ve been entered to win a prize for your comment so you’ll want to be on that live to find out if you won! See you then!!

[@digitalvalue1]

Hi Julie, is there an approximate budget one should have after publishing and BookLaunchers fees for the marketing plan?

[@BookLaunchers]

After Book Launchers fees ... well that is tough. It depends on what you are going to do that is over and above. Some of our clients will run fairly intense ads to a book funnel so they spend thousands of dollars on those ads. Some will pay for some national publicity or additional support to get speaking engagements. Other folks hire social media managers or VAs ...

[@OverAllInterviews]

Hi Julie, this is great advice. Thank you! Is it acceptable to upload a book with the same ISBN to both KDP and to Ingram?

[@BookLaunchers]

Yes, absolutely for the same book (same format) you should do that.

[@OverAllInterviews]

@@BookLaunchers Thank you. The profit margin and quality of the book is just so much better with KDP. But Ingram is so important too!

[@SunshineSpring-ye2wl]

What is rea lly in a contract that's hidden? With publishers

[@jasminanikolovska6738]

Hello and thank you! Im from small country in Balkans and I have published my first book last year. It is a great success. Im thinking to translate it in English and try to sell in your market. If are kind enough to help me with your advise? Is it possible and what should I do?

[@BookLaunchers]

Wonderful! You can watch my audiobook recording of Self-Promote and Succeed here: kzbin.info/aero/PLh6B5bRioc1xBijZsvgKUJYyuR8RKjylA&si=tuwTeD890C4Zdqd0 that will help you.

[@resonanceliteracy]

I've been lurking on this channel for months

[@nextinstitute7824]

Haha, I'm sure she doesn't mind.

[@BookLaunchers]

Hello lurker. Thanks for coming out of the shadows to say hi. Thank you for commenting the day a video was released! Our next live is happening here on February 27th at 2pm PST. You’ve been entered to win a prize for your comment so you’ll want to be on that live to find out if you won! See you then!!

[@BookLaunchers]

☺

[@KJ-zr2ko]

Keep lurking! Your bound to learn a lot. Lol

[@Srutxi]

Hey is Ingramspark free? If yes than will it provide paperback and in India?

[@BookLaunchers]

They have fees when you sell a book and I think it does have distribution in India.

[@chambersstevens3135]

Boy this video was super complicated. I think you need to break the distribution down a little more. All those companies were a little confusing.

[@BookLaunchers]

That's fair. It's a complex subject but I may have left too much out to really make it clear.