tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post8377233791605274112..comments2024-03-25T21:30:28.970-07:00Comments on <b>Smashwords</b>: Weighing Ebook Distribution OptionsDovetail Public Relationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-8899186814954170302012-09-08T03:02:49.141-07:002012-09-08T03:02:49.141-07:00Kristi,
The retailer's job is to attract book...Kristi,<br /><br />The retailer's job is to attract book buyers to their store. The more retailers who have working for you, the more books you'll sell. If you're not at every retailer, then that retailer's customers will discover someone else's book, not yours.<br /><br />The biggest retailers are Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble. The smaller and midsize retailers usually won't sell as many, but every sale adds up and if you're not there, you'll miss out. We've also seen instances where some authors take off at the smaller retailers before they take off at larger ones. There's a lot of randomness.<br /><br />Smashwords is a free service. You don't need to pay to publish and distribute a book if you use us. <br /><br />For more information on distribution strategies and best practices, check out my free ebook, THE SECRETS TO EBOOK PUBLISHING SUCCESS. It's free and you'll find it at every ebook retailer.Dovetail Public Relationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-45463096566121966842012-09-07T11:20:19.376-07:002012-09-07T11:20:19.376-07:00Everyone keeps going on and on about SW, but I hav...Everyone keeps going on and on about SW, but I have two questions or rather two concerns. First off, when I visit SW it specifically says that you must be accepted into theor premium catalog in order to be distributed to other device sites. Is this true or have I confused the way the explained it? Second off does it really PAY in all honesty TO have your book on a variety of sites ie; Sony e Reader, iBooks, iPad, Nook, Amazon, etc. Do you really get more sales from being on more websites and having your books available to more ereaders? Or is that a bunch of BS?<br /><br />Right now I am going through the process of trying to find a distribution service. So if I could find a TRUE real answer to my questions, especially the second question, I would definitely be able to pick a better distributor yes, but also I would be willing to spend $99 for one ebook.Kristi https://www.blogger.com/profile/11476153171420902055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-42905141978980816432012-01-25T10:44:59.543-08:002012-01-25T10:44:59.543-08:00It's a whole new world out there. I'm old ...It's a whole new world out there. I'm old enough to remember when service stations used to pump the gas for you. Yes, it's more of a nuisance to have to learn to promote your own books. On the other hand, nobody *cares* about your book more than you do--and the reward of doing the promotion yourself mean you get a bigger cut of the profits. We evolve or we get passed over.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-83507588626562812912012-01-25T10:20:29.414-08:002012-01-25T10:20:29.414-08:00Hi Mark,
I'm interested in your thoughts abo...Hi Mark, <br /><br />I'm interested in your thoughts about effective distribution in light of all these workflow platform changes. I am so overwhelmed and confused by this market it is not even funny. <br /><br />Mainly I want to offer readers access to my work. It seems I'm having to negotiate with things writers were always able to take for granted. When I wrote on paper I did not spend eight hours a day figuring out how to use the paper. <br /><br /> Thanks.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801698482726112408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-78245639331552379922010-06-24T09:00:08.012-07:002010-06-24T09:00:08.012-07:00I started at Amazon and then wanted to broaden my ...I started at Amazon and then wanted to broaden my distribution (conveniently) with Smashwords. So far I'm *loving* the flexibility on pricing, formats, coupons, and all that. I also love that I can see how many people are downloading samples (which I can't see at Amazon).<br /><br />Now, I know it's only been a week since my ebook was accepted to the Premium catalog, but I am wondering when it will actually "ship" to the other retailers. This is one piece of communication that I find hugely lacking. "TBD" is the same as no information at all. Even knowing "2-4 weeks" or "2-4 months" would be helpful.Kristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771013578685419826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-51908968518867714862010-05-28T15:34:25.121-07:002010-05-28T15:34:25.121-07:00Oddly I had purchased Bill's book on Kobo to r...Oddly I had purchased Bill's book on Kobo to read on my iPad, but the chapters were empty, except for the preview chapters at the end for another book.<br /><br />After working with Kobo they confirmed it came from you guys like that and they kindly refunded me the purchase price. I am guessing the "meat grinder" ground a little hard. <br /><br />Oddly, I went to Amazon and was able to buy a perfectly formatted copy. I am guessing Bill was more than able to produce a mobi copy. While I applaud what you are doing, quality and consistency account for an awful lot. Maybe premium content could come from something else other than word?<br /><br /><br />BTW, Amazon's cut is only 30% sgoldin.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14964945489598360648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-48047851176898765862010-05-27T10:57:49.954-07:002010-05-27T10:57:49.954-07:00Smashwords is a great service. I love it and distr...Smashwords is a great service. I love it and distribute all my available titles through there. Keep up the good work. PS. Still hoping for HTML upload to be an option.Joe Chiappettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15738854036752666043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-3519682408548916212010-05-26T07:00:58.598-07:002010-05-26T07:00:58.598-07:00I'm seeing Inconvenient Marriage at #1 in the ...I'm seeing Inconvenient Marriage at #1 in the Kobo charts. I'm not sure how many books you need to sell to get up there - but amazing to be above Mr Larsson in any charts I would say. Well done Ruth and thanks Mark for giving us indie publishers the chance to compete. How's the Sony deadline working out for you?ButlerPublishingGrouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03274561875454779691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-80372315244278115752010-05-24T15:21:44.496-07:002010-05-24T15:21:44.496-07:00I have had a difficult time finding the Apple Book...I have had a difficult time finding the Apple Bookstore, specifically the new iPad outlet. If someone has the URL for each of the distribution channels that SW uses, would you please post them on this site? Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091374341081444029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-35931099217268706802010-05-23T11:11:58.163-07:002010-05-23T11:11:58.163-07:00Maximize your books' exposure. Having seen how...<b>Maximize your books' exposure.</b> Having seen how Mark and his team have worked to do just that, why would any author not want to stick with Smashwords? I'd considered dealing directly with Amazon, but I'm going to wait to get my book on Amazon through Smashwords. My patience has been rewarded so far, as I see the deals with B&N, Kobo, Apple, and others.<br /><br />Mark keeps reminding us to read the <b><i>Smashwords Style Guide</i></b>. If I could make a recommendation to others, I would suggest making maximum use of the <b><i>Smashwords Book Marketing Guide</i></b>. Getting your book(s) out there is more than just getting them listed with an online retailer; read the Marketing Guide for details.<br /><br />For most of us, success will not happen overnight, but with time and effort, we can get our work in front of our readers. I am heartened that it is happening for me. It's been just under five months since I made <b><i>A Family Legacy: The Watson Works</i></b>, the first of my five Smashwords books available, and I can now claim thousands of downloads/sales of my five titles.<br /><br /><i><b>Wil</b></i>Wilson Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15159372304872302551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-76843998485597951132010-05-23T07:28:47.481-07:002010-05-23T07:28:47.481-07:00@Gordon
I know I'm not Mark, and he may have ...@Gordon<br /><br />I know I'm not Mark, and he may have a diff opinion, but I opt out of Amazon with Smashwords because I deal directly with Amazon. Having my book up twice would split my sales ranking and that's not good for overall sales IMO.<br /><br />Zoe WintersZoe Wintershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14589718828140163088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-86040112677990932852010-05-23T06:16:47.684-07:002010-05-23T06:16:47.684-07:00You're doing a great job getting things into w...You're doing a great job getting things into wider distribution and letting us see stats. I don't know why anyone wouldn't take advantage of it.<br /><br />I do use Amazon DTP directly, but I opt-out on Smashwords for Amazon. You've made it so user friendly that I can't imagine not have smashwords also.<br /><br />Yes, sales are better at Amazon, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate smashwords getting my books into other channels and consolidating all the work of distribution into one neat package.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-46570998737451297282010-05-23T03:08:33.565-07:002010-05-23T03:08:33.565-07:00Mark, I asked the question on the Smashwords site,...Mark, I asked the question on the Smashwords site, but probably should have posted it here instead. If I already publish with the Amazon Kindle outlet AND Smashwords, is it necessary to Opt In on SW distribution channels to duplicate that effort? I have currently Opted Out, as regards the Amazon channel. Thanks. NovelistAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091374341081444029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-16825194230679295782010-05-22T17:37:59.277-07:002010-05-22T17:37:59.277-07:00Thanks for the suggestion. Good idea and I went an...Thanks for the suggestion. Good idea and I went and did sign up with Amazon to sell the book after reading it. <br />I'm still waiting for Smashwords to start selling it on Amazon though. Would rather give something to you guys for all you put up with for us!<br /><br />W. A. <br />Author of "Future Useless"W. A. Pattersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12606812592458219778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-12805317077872143042010-05-22T17:35:03.530-07:002010-05-22T17:35:03.530-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.W. A. Pattersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12606812592458219778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-10800289525435028672010-05-22T07:43:56.749-07:002010-05-22T07:43:56.749-07:00Seems clear to me that more outlets are better. Ha...Seems clear to me that more outlets are better. Having said that I stll can't find The Last King's Amulet on Amazon or Sony etc. (only B&N where there are nice reviews for the funny fantasy novel) but can't complain - for years I was throwing novels away, now they get read!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05775163333977432245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-80439104382957265762010-05-21T21:28:21.625-07:002010-05-21T21:28:21.625-07:00And congratulations to Ruth Ann and Bill!And congratulations to Ruth Ann and Bill!Shayne Parkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071406385872399178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-40988231428975383942010-05-21T13:59:16.101-07:002010-05-21T13:59:16.101-07:00Very nice trend on the Apple sales chart! Thanks f...Very nice trend on the Apple sales chart! Thanks for sharing that, Mark.Shayne Parkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071406385872399178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-77745514283065145622010-05-21T13:31:54.848-07:002010-05-21T13:31:54.848-07:00I am ASTOUNDED at how narrow-minded (or is it smal...I am ASTOUNDED at how narrow-minded (or is it small-minded?) people can be about distribution. As writing a book is deeply personal, I wonder that they are letting their emotions cloud their business (or common) sense...Alex Greenwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05943294086822054304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-90850866432012759282010-05-21T10:59:16.167-07:002010-05-21T10:59:16.167-07:00There's another point to consider as well. SW ...There's another point to consider as well. SW takes a 15% cut. Amazon takes something like 50-60%, last time I looked. You'd have to sell 3 to 4 times the number of copies at Amazon to get the same royalty you'd get from 1 copy at SW. Yeah, Amazon gets more traffic, but they <i>need</i> more to make it worthwhile.<br /><br />And since both are nonexclusive, it's absolutely <i>stupid</i> to not use both. Some people just aren't thinking!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-64314170157281413962010-05-20T18:30:59.569-07:002010-05-20T18:30:59.569-07:00Can't figure some folk out.
How can it NOT be...Can't figure some folk out.<br /><br />How can it NOT be good to be getting sales in as many ways and places as possible?<br /><br />That aside, I have gone for listing my books free- for now. Being a newbie, I figure I need the exposure more than anything.<br /><br />It's working- thanks to Smashwords!<br /><br />Wayne Watson<br />'Meddlers In Time'Oswald Bastablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11828229103486326473noreply@blogger.com