How can print-on-demand distribution channels help your business grow?

If you’re an author or publisher looking to sell your books, print-on-demand (POD) distribution channels can be a great way to get your work out there.

This guide will give you an overview of how to get started with POD, as well as best practices and real-world examples.

Getting started

Learning about POD distribution channels is important for anyone looking to sell books.

Whether you’re an independent author or a traditional publisher, POD can help you reach a wider audience and increase your sales.

This guide is for anyone interested in learning more about POD, including:

Authors
Publishers
Self-publishers

How to

Choose a POD service provider: There are many POD service providers available, including Amazon’s CreateSpace, IngramSpark, and Lulu. Research each provider to find the one that best fits your needs.
Format your book: Before you can upload your book to a POD service provider, you need to format it correctly. This includes setting the margins, choosing the font and font size, and creating a cover.
Upload your book: Once your book is formatted, you can upload it to your chosen POD service provider. Make sure to follow their guidelines for file types and sizes.
Set your price: Decide how much you want to charge for your book. Keep in mind that POD service providers will take a percentage of each sale.
Promote your book: Once your book is available for sale, it’s up to you to promote it. Use social media, email marketing, and other tactics to get the word out.

Best practices

Choose a POD service provider that offers the features you need, such as distribution to online retailers and print-on-demand.
Make sure your book is formatted correctly before uploading it to a POD service provider.
Set a competitive price for your book, taking into account the percentage taken by the POD service provider.
Promote your book aggressively to reach the widest possible audience.

Examples

Let’s say you’re an independent author who has written a novel.

You’ve decided to use a POD service provider to sell your book.

Here’s a conversation between you and a potential buyer:

You: Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that my new novel, “The Secret Life of Bees,” is now available for purchase through Amazon’s CreateSpace.

Buyer: That’s great! How much does it cost?

You: The paperback version is $14.99, and the Kindle version is $4.99.

Buyer: I’ll take the Kindle version.

How do I purchase it?

You: Just go to the book’s page on Amazon and click “Buy now with 1-Click.” The book will be delivered to your Kindle immediately.

Buyer: Thanks! I can’t wait to read it.

You: Thank you so much for your support!