How to Develop an Ebook Strategy: IBPA Publishing University Class Tomorrow

I'm presenting a one-hour online class tomorrow at 2:00pm Eastern, sponsored by the Independent Book Publisher's Association (IBPA) titled, "Making the Move to Ebooks: How to Develop an Ebook Strategy."

The class tomorrow expands upon a class I co-presented with Dan Poynter at the Publishing University conference in New York in May.

From the IBPA web site, here's a partial summary of what I'll cover:

1. Why ebooks are hot
2. Latest market sales data
3. Will ebooks cannibalize or complement print books?
4. How ebooks fit within overall publishing strategy
5. What books work best as ebooks
6. How Ebook formatting is different
7. Why multi-format is important
8. Evolving distribution models: The new ebook supply chain
9. How Amazon is vertically integrating its ebook business: friend or foe to the independent publisher?
10. To DRM or not DRM?
11. Ebook pricing models

To learn more, or to register, visit the Publishing University Online registration page. The class is $49.00 for IBPA members and $69.00 for non-members. 100% of the proceeds go to IBPA, a wonderful organization I'm so pleased to support.

Speaking about the Future of Ebooks at IBPA's Publishing University and BookExpo America

If you're headed to New York next week for the Independent Book Publisher Association's Publishing University or for the huge BookExpo America, I'm speaking in three separate sessions. Stop by and say hello. The sessions are:

Publishing University Thursday, May 28

#1. 8:30-10am, "Turning Printed Books into Downloadable E-Books: Creating Digital Reading for Those on the Move"

I'm honored to do this presentation alongside the one and only Dan Poynter! I'll share my views on the past, present and future of ebooks. If you haven't purchased Dan's latest greatest book - The Self Publishing Manual Volume 2 - buy it now at Smashwords (it's our #1 bestseller!).

Once your book is written and ready to be printed, it is time to think about other profit centers. E-books do not have to be printed, inventoried, or shipped. E-books are never returned. You will discover how to prepare the file, convert it into the five popular e-book formats, and submit it to resellers (dealers) such as Amazon.com, Palm, and Yahoo! A resource handout includes a step-by-step plan plus contact names and phone numbers. Learn from the industry guru, Dan Poynter, who has been selling e-documents and e-books since 1996.

#2. 12:00-2pm, Keynote Luncheon, "Give the E-Readers What They Want — Content Delivery in a Digital Future"

For this roundtable panel moderated by IPA president Florrie Binford Kichler, I'm accompanied by Neelan Choksi of Amazon/ Lexcycle, Daniel Albohn of Sony, and Tricia Roth of ReadHowYouWant.

In an era that in recent times has seen print book sales steadily declining, e-book sales are on the rise. “It’s the content, stupid” has been the mantra, and nowhere has that been more evident than in the growing numbers of e-book readers that range from the Sony e-reader to the Apple iPhone and beyond, and ebook READERS who are migrating to their cell phones and devices for everything from the New York Times to their favorite novel. As a publisher, how do you create your own digital strategy to reach consumers who now have more choices in HOW they read than ever before? Join this panel of experts who have revolutionized the reading experience as they talk about the brave new world of publishing and how publishers can best take advantage of new and ever-changing technology. How can you reach this growing market? Learn the answers and more in this must-attend program presented by companies whose names are synonyms for technological innovation and leadership.

BookExpo America (BEA) Friday, May 29 (Happy Birthday to me!)

#3. 9:30-10:30am, panel, "Digital Debut Tool Time"

This panel discussion is moderated by Mike Shatzkin of Idea Logical, featuring me, Peter Clifton of FiledBy, Hugh McGuire of BookOven and Neil Jones of Coolreaders.

An insider’s presentation of new and soon-to-be-mainstreamed web-based entities providing innovative digital services and tools to authors, publishers and readers.

See you in New York!