eBooks are an important factor in your success as an independent author. You should publish books in a variety of formats for long-term success. Just as a teacher has to differentiate instruction for her students based on their individual needs, authors have to consider the preferences of their readers. Having your book available in multiple formats allows your customers to experience your book their way.
All authors are, of course, focused on publishing a paperback book. Many writers will also include a hardback version as well. Some authors even elect to add an audiobook option during the initial publication or shortly after that. An eBook is a very popular option for many writers, but there are others who do not offer them at all.
There are a few reasons why that may be the case. First, even though authors may elect to self-publish their books, they may still think with a traditional mindset where tangible books are the end product. Second, the eBook design and layout may intimidate a self-published author. It takes some skill and experience to design them correctly and requires patience. Finally, some writers are just not aware of the benefits of having eBooks. Let’s explore some of those benefits.
Why Publish an eBook?
eBooks are in demand by readers because they make carrying heavy books around a thing of the past. Books are read on devices that can hold thousands of titles. Customer can also immediately download them after purchase. Because of the technology used to create them, eBooks can be updated easily. Therefore, customers appreciate their ease of use.
eBooks Cost Less
The cost of an eBook is less than a traditional book. There are no printing costs for them since books are downloaded on to readers. The delivery costs charged by a platform like Amazon KDP are minimal compared to the cost of printing a book on the same platform. Most eBooks are priced lower than traditional books because there is no shipping charge. It’s not unusual to see eBooks selling for $0.99 or even for free during special promotions. Even outside of special pricing, eBooks are generally cheaper than traditional books. The less expensive they are, the more titles readers can purchase. So the increasing demand for this format makes sense.
The lower cost of publishing eBooks can also be very lucrative for the self-published author. If the royalty rate for an eBook published on Amazon is 70%, and you price the book at $9.99, you will pay a delivery fee of $0.10, depending on the size of your eBook. You will earn $6.89 on every book you sell. That’s much higher than the standard 10-15% royalty rate offered by traditional publishers. Of course, this is not a guarantee. You have to write an excellent book and promote it to boost sales. But if you do, you can make more sales.
Publish Books Based on Readers’ Interests
To improve your sales, offer your book in multiple formats. Not including an eBook as an option is a mistake that can prevent readers who prefer reading them from accessing your titles. That is an enormous purchasing power you can’t ignore. If you have taken the chance to publish your own book, you understand the importance of thinking outside the box and trying something new. That includes giving your readers what they need, even if it’s new to you.
Successful authors understand that writing is a business, and the customer guides the decision-making process. Whatever you can do to help get your books in front of an eager audience, do it. We’re not talking about compromising your integrity here. Don’t do that. But develop a solid publishing plan that involves a wide distribution of your title in a variety of formats. If you want someone to talk to and help you with your book, contact us. We’re always happy to help.