This is the first in my series of articles explaining the online publishing model and how small-time authors and / or self-publishers can use OPM as a viable alternative to the traditional, often archaic and dysfunctional model of book publishing. .
Typically, you will create your book / e-book in a source word processing program, such as MS-Word or WordPerfect. Once you have converted it to PDF format, you are ready to start selling it through the three main channels that make up the Online Publishing Model: 1. Sales Mini-Sites, 2. Digital Download Distributors, 3. Printing in Demand Distributors (POD).
This article explains the three main channels of the online publishing model (OPM).
After a number of disappointing experiences using the traditional book publishing model, I decided to see if I could find a way that would eliminate all or most of the downsides of that conventional publishing approach. After nearly three years of trial and error experimentation (not to mention a few thousand dollars), I managed to find a real, viable alternative to the old-fashioned one.
It’s called the Online Posting Model and it’s very exciting.
Based on my experience using OPM since that time, I am truly convinced that it is the KEY to editorial success for small authors and / or self-publishers in the Internet age.
THE ONLINE PUBLICATION MODEL – THE NEW WAY
The online publishing model is a combination of online digital download delivery and print-on-demand (POD) book publishing that avoids most of the pitfalls of the traditional book publishing model.
It offers small authors / publishers a great alternative that will give them more control and increase their sales and profits by using little known online channels when publishing their books / ebooks. Is that how it works …
OPM: THREE MAIN DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
With this model, once your book / ebook is written, there are several online channels through which you can distribute and sell your book / ebook, as follows:
1. Dedicated sales mini-site
First of all, once your book / e-book is written, you need to create what is called a “mini website” (that is, a mini sales site) for the sole purpose of selling your product. Trust me, this is the only way to go. You MUST have a site dedicated to selling that book / e-book. Search engines will send targeted traffic to your site and your site copy will make online sales.
2. Distributors of digital downloads
The second online channel for your book / e-book will be through digital fulfillment companies that distribute downloadable e-books to the largest online bookstores like amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and many others. These distribution companies are happy to present your e-book to thousands of traditional book buyers who would not normally see it. Listing your digital download e-book with one or more of these resellers is essential.
3. Print-on-demand distributors
These are resellers using a relatively new technology called print on demand (or POD). You provide the company with a digital copy of your book, plus some digital cover artwork, and they will set up your book so individual book orders can be printed and shipped directly to the buyer. This allows you to provide a printed version (of your e-book) to those customers who insist on it, while only paying the cost of printing a single copy. (No more printing over 2,000 copies in advance just to get a reasonable cost per copy!).
Other distribution channels
There are some other distribution channels as well, such as small online e-book stores, but they are relatively minor and, to date, I don’t think they are worth it.
OPM: LOWER LINE
Suffice it to say that the online publishing model offers at least three highly effective channels through which you can distribute and sell your books / e-books.
If you take advantage of all three OPM channels and make them work for you, I can guarantee that you will get your book / e-book out faster and get more sales and profits than you ever would with the traditional publishing model.
Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett. All rights reserved.
