Going wide is a term used in the writing world to describe a strategy in which you make your books available on multiple platforms to maximise their potential reach and access the benefits of each platform to maximise book sales. Direct selling makes up a huge part of your wide approach. Recently Bookvault, with the help of renowned self-publisher and direct-selling-extraordinaire Joanna (J.F.) Penn (@TheCreativePenn) and award-winning author/self-publishing guru Ian Hooper held a seminar on this topic at The London Book Fair. So if you weren’t able to attend, do not worry! This blog will summarise what you missed…
Mediums to go maximise book sales
As an indie author looking to sell your books widely, there are several mediums you can utilize. Here are a few options:
E-book platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Kobo Writing Life, and Apple Books are popular options for indie authors. These platforms allow you to publish your e-book and reach a global audience.
Print-on-demand services like Bookvault create print versions of your book without upfront printing costs. This means you will not need to stock books as we print as you sell, POD is especially automated with direct selling integrations.
Audiobooks are growing in popularity, and offering your book in this format can help you reach a wider audience.
These are various product opportunities for going wide to maximise book sales, however, we are focusing on simply going wide with your print!
Expanded distribution
When selling your books online, you will likely default to utilising retail networks such as Amazon and other online booksellers that have a large and established customer base that can increase exposure for your books. By listing your books on these platforms, your reach will be extended greatly, but just because they are available to readers does not mean they will be seen.
Secondly, retail networks provide a platform for customer reviews and ratings, which can be instrumental in increasing the visibility of your books. Positive reviews and ratings can encourage more readers to purchase your books, while negative reviews can help you identify areas for improvement.
Thirdly, listing your books on retail networks can provide a source of credibility and legitimacy to your work. Customers are more likely to trust and purchase from established retailers. Seeing your books listed alongside other bestsellers can help build your brand as an author.
At Bookvault we are very transparent, we believe you should make the most of all of the platforms available to you, this means playing each platform to their strengths. Ultimately, different customers have different buyer behaviour and habits, by going wide you can meet the demand of all forms and maximise book sales.
Book fairs
Book fairs can be a great place to network and expand your reach.
Book fairs bring together readers who are passionate about books, giving you the opportunity to connect with your target audience in person. This can help you build relationships with potential readers, get feedback on your work, and gain valuable insights into what your audience enjoys.
You can also benefit from networking with other authors at book fairs. You can share tips and best practices, learn from each other’s experiences, and potentially collaborate on future projects.
Bookvault recently attended the Indie Author Book Fair in St Ives, a perfect place to springboard your work!
Direct Selling to maximise book sales
Selling direct means selling your books through your website or storefront rather than relying solely on online retailers. There are several reasons why selling direct should be a key pillar of your wider selling approach to maximise book sales.
By selling your books directly, you don’t have to pay retailer commissions, which can be as high as 30%. As a result, you can earn more money per sale, making it the perfect method of selling if you already have a following or customer base that you could direct to your store.
If you sell through retailers, you share the buy box and can’t access customer data or contact information. When you sell direct, you can collect this information and use it to influence future purchases and maximise book sales. With the sales data under your control, you are far more capable of forming relationships with your readers through regular communications.
With a resultant mailing list from your personal site, you can run promotions and deals. Using your direct selling site, you are far more reactive and therefore can capitalise on trends with your marketing approach and maximise book sales.
By increasing your marketing control, you have a greater influence on your brand and value proposition.
For more information on selling direct, read our extended blog!
What can you sell through your store?
Going wide shouldn’t be limited solely to your selling platforms, by offering a wide range of goods, you can meet all forms of demand.
This means a variety of physical books, with various custom sizes and bindings, audio & e-books and even merchandise relating to your books. If readers are invested in your work, they will be likely to consume a variety of content types.
What do you already have?
As a self-published author, it’s important to use whatever platform you already have. Maybe you have a blog site with a decent readership or a Twitter account with a reasonable following. Whatever platform you may have, leveraging it is an ideal way to get your sales up and running.
It’s also important to weigh up the opportunity cost of your pre-existing platform against using a different and potentially more effective platform where you can maximise book sales.
What do you need to maximise book sales?
E-commerce platform
It can be hard to pick a direct sales application with so many options offering very similar benefits. At Bookvault we recommend Shopify, WooCommerce, Payhip or even Kickstarter; we selected these as our first three integrations into our system due to their usability and ease of setup. For first-timers, we would suggest Shopify for its beginner-friendly design; however, each of these platforms offers benefits to suit differing needs.
In addition to a platform, you will also need a payment provider such as Stripe or PayPal.
Commitment and perseverance to maximise book sales
Writing a book is no small feat, and publishing it independently can be a challenging process that requires dedication and hard work. As an indie author, you will need to wear many hats, from writing and editing to marketing and promotion.
There may be times when you feel discouraged or overwhelmed, but it’s important to remember that success as an indie author doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to persevere through the ups and downs. But with commitment and perseverance, you can overcome the challenges and achieve your goals as an indie author and maximise book sales.
So keep writing, keep learning, and keep pushing forward, and you’ll find that the rewards of being an indie author are well worth the effort.
Audience Knowledge
Understanding your audience is paramount for an indie author, it’s important to identify your genre target audience to ensure that your book is marketed effectively and reaches the right readers. Here are a few ways you can get to know your readers. Before you can identify your target audience, you need to have a clear understanding of your genre. Read books in your genre, research popular authors and titles, and familiarize yourself with the common themes and tropes to maximise book sales.
Once you have a good understanding of your genre, start analysing the demographics of its readers. Look for data on age, gender, education, income, and other relevant factors. You can find this information through surveys, social media, and online book clubs.
Beyond demographics, try to identify the interests, hobbies, and values of your genre’s readers. What are their favourite TV shows, movies, and music? What social causes do they care about? This information can help you tailor your marketing messages to resonate with your target audience and maximise book sales.
To get to know your target audience, engage with them directly. Join online book clubs and forums, participate in social media conversations, and attend book events. Ask readers for feedback on your writing and use their insights to improve your work. Remember, many forums or groups will not want to be spammed by your books, keep your communications genuine and results should flow as you maximise book sales.
Finally, keep track of your book sales and monitor the demographics and interests of your readers. This will help you adjust your marketing strategy over time to better reach and engage your target audience and in turn maximise book sales.
Myth Busting
All of these new tasks may overwhelm you, but fear not! you do not need to be a marketing genius!
Joanna Penn is one of the most qualified people around when it comes to selling your book as an indie author, you can find a range of her books here that will teach you the ins and outs and help you maximise book sales!
Morgana Best is another highly successful indie author, she has groups on social platforms in which you can ask questions and get insights from peers on the same journey, and sharing ideas can open your eyes to different methods you may have been unaware of.
Reedsy is your one-stop shop for all things you could need in publishing and writing, from editors to cover designers, Reedsy will make sure your books are top quality!
Pierre Alex Jeanty offers courses on how to grow your book-selling business and is very knowledgeable in the field.
At Bookvault we have a team of experts who are more than willing to help in your journey as an author, so get in contact via email or live chat for help!