It goes without say that the eBook is a fast growing phenomenon in the publishing world, yet one that has long been frowned upon by traditional publishing houses. The idea that a book can be published entirely online has become more widely accepted in commercial terms since the arrival of the Amazon Kindle book-reader and its many imitators – as well as the Apple iPad – and more people than ever before are turning to books read through these mediums. However, there are still mistakes made in eBook marketing, many of them basic and easy to overcome, so let’s have a look at the basics of eBook marketing.
It’s easier to publish an eBook than you think
Many people have great ideas and yet remain afraid of the perils of the digital age. They see the process of publishing an eBook as complex. Our advice is that it’s better to dip your toe into this area rather than get scared by trying to convert all your titles at once.
If you have a hunch that a certain range of titles will sell well in eBook format then this may be all you need to get started. eBook conversion can cost as little as £100 a title for a well done conversion.
Use Digital Marketing
One mistake publishers can make is to publish and then sit back and wait for sales. In traditional publishing you rely on your bookseller and distributor to do the hard work in terms of getting the product visible, of course alongside traditional methods such as book launches, press etc. However with eBooks it doesn’t work like that, and like all products an element of marketing is involved. Thanks to the rise of social networking you can market your book through your friends on Facebook, followers on Twitter, and even create a blog that talks about your publications. Remember to give readers something they are interested in reading, and you are half way to getting a foot in the door.
Don’t Listen to the Nay-Sayers
In all walks of life you are bound to find a degree of negativity when you come up with a radical idea, but the fact is publishing an eBook is no longer radical at all. In fact, compared to the growth in traditional book publishing the online world is storming ahead, with the number of eBooks published each year increasing at the moment by as much as 40%. People are enjoying the ability to sit back, switch on their digital reader and choose their reading matter, and it is one of the main tenets of eBook marketing that you remain positive and forge ahead.
Have Patience
The old saying goes that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and likewise you are unlikely to see immediate sales when your eBook is published in the stores on Amazon and Apple. However, with careful consideration and clever use of your publicity methods you may see results in a relatively short time. Remember, not all eBooks are successful, and when it comes to the best sales, the major sellers are those that offer the buyer something they want.
