| This is another in my series of articles that explain | | | | two products through an online bookseller like It turns |
| the Online Publishing Model and how small-time | | | | out that even when amazon offers a 30% discount |
| authors and/or self-publishers can use the OPM as a | | | | on the digital download ebook version, about 50% of |
| more lucrative alternative to the often archaic and | | | | buyers of the exact same title still choose the more |
| dysfunctional traditional book publishing model. In | | | | expensive POD paperback version. |
| short, using the OPM you'll make more book sales | | | | So, not only are these people willing to pay more, |
| and you'll net more profits, faster. | | | | but they are also willing to wait anywhere from 5 to |
| Typically, you will create your book/ebook in a | | | | 7 days for the POD book to be drop-shipped to |
| source word processing program such as MS-Word | | | | them. |
| or WordPerfect. Once you have converted it into | | | | These are the traditional book buying people. They |
| PDF format you'll be ready to start selling it via the | | | | want a conventional paper book that they can hold in |
| three primary channels that make up the Online | | | | their hands. They want to be able to turn the pages. |
| Publishing Model: 1. Sales-Mini-Sites, 2. Digital Download | | | | Many of these buyers don't really understand what |
| Distributors, 3. Print-On-Demand (POD) Distributors. | | | | an ebook or digital download is all about. |
| This article explains Channel 3 of the OPM, | | | | And, even if they do understand the "e" part of |
| Print-On-Demand (POD) distribution. | | | | ebook they don't want to have anything to do with |
| I have to tell you that I was already pretty darn | | | | something that sounds so "techie". |
| excited when I found out about Channel 2 of the | | | | Clearly, if you do not provide a conventional |
| OPM, the digital fulfillment channel. However, when I | | | | paperback book option via POD for these traditional |
| found out about how I could ALSO take advantage | | | | book buyers you will be leaving that money on the |
| of Channel 3, the print-on-demand channel I was | | | | table. Those people will NOT buy your digital |
| ecstatic! | | | | download products. |
| POD FULFILLMENT: DEFINITION | | | | PODS LOOK AND FEEL LIKE REAL BOOKS |
| It's important that you understand exactly what I'm | | | | So, what does a POD book look like you might ask? |
| talking about when I use the term "POD fulfillment", | | | | The quality of my POD books when printed is very |
| as opposed to "digital fulfillment" which I explained in | | | | acceptable. The full-color glossy cover is printed on |
| another article that I have written about the OPM. | | | | standard cover stock and the book is perfect bound. |
| Print-on-demand (POD) fulfillment refers to when | | | | The interior is comprised of standard 8 1/2" x 11" |
| your book is delivered to the customer strictly in | | | | paper stock, printed both sides. It's like an excellent |
| printed paper form as a standard book. With POD, | | | | quality Xerox job between professionally designed |
| when a single order (or low volume order) for your | | | | full-color glossy covers. So, people who order them |
| book is placed, just that small quantity is printed, | | | | get a paperback of equivalent quality as to what one |
| bound, and drop-shipped directly to the customer by | | | | would normally find on the shelves at a bookstore. |
| your POD fulfillment company. Hence the term, | | | | That's just the format I use for my how-to books. |
| print-on-demand, or POD as it is widely referred to.. | | | | You can also have PODs produced in all kinds of |
| A typical example of POD fulfillment in action would | | | | sizes, shapes and bindings, including hard cover books! |
| be when you provide your POD electronic files to a | | | | BOTTOM LINE ON POD BOOKS |
| digital fulfillment company that distributes POD books | | | | If you want to sell books to the traditional book |
| to booksellers like and Barnes&Noble.com, for | | | | buying public you have to give them what they want |
| example. Such booksellers would then offer your | | | | - a printed book. Print-on-demand (POD) is a |
| paperback POD book to those of its customers who | | | | technology that lets you do just that -- one copy at |
| prefer a standard printed version of your book. | | | | a time. |
| WHY CHOOSE POD FULFILLMENT? | | | | The really exciting thing about these POD sales is, as |
| As explained above, when people order a | | | | I explained above, they are IN ADDITION to any |
| print-on-demand book they get a real hard copy | | | | sales that you will make via Web site or digital |
| paperback book that they can hold in their hands. | | | | fulfillment channels. It really is like "found money". |
| But why choose to produce a POD version when | | | | That's what makes using the Online Publishing Model |
| you already offer an ebook version? This is a good | | | | so exciting; it gives you three equally productive |
| and logical question. | | | | selling channels for your books and/or ebooks. |
| The main answer is this: an ebook is NOT a perfect | | | | Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett. All rights |
| substitute for a printed book. | | | | reserved. |
| This becomes particularly clear when marketing the | | | | |