Category: Jodee Speaks

Jodee Speaks

How to Get Your Self-Published Book into Large Retail Chains

When most people dream of being an author, they imagine their books displayed on the shelves of their favorite bookstores. While the accessibility and immediacy of ebooks is unbeatable, there is just something so appealing — to authors and their readers — about seeing a book on the shelf at a book store, picking it up and flipping through the bags, and enjoying the smell and feel of a new book.

So how do you get your self-published book one of those highly coveted spots on the large retailer shelves? The short answer: one step at a time. These step-by-step strategies can get you closer to your bookstore goals:

  • Start with online and in-person sales. Sell at book fairs, on your social media sites, at local events and any place you can set up a table and take payment.
  • Market your book. Set up a clear plan for marketing and publicizing your book so you can gather interest and increase sales.
  • Establish that your book is desirable. Track every sale and look for patterns of growth. This information is appealing to book retailers.
  • Use those sales figures. Once you’ve established that you have, or are heading toward, positive sales trends, start talking to local bookstores, seeking a commitment to carry your book.
  • Tailor your product. Armed with your bookstore commitments, work with your self- publishing company to change your trade discount and retail price and add retail returns, so bookstores can carry your book.
  • Expand to larger markets. Put together a proposal to submit to bookstore contacts and approach larger markets about getting your self-published book on their shelves.

Getting into big retail stores can be a difficult process, but if you keep your eye on the big picture and work consistently toward your goal, it’s doable.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

What is a Trade Discount?

When self-publishing, it is important to understand industry terminology. “Trade discount” is one of the terms you need to understand because it impacts your book’s price and distribution. Here is what you need to know.

What is a trade discount?

A “trade discount” is also known as a distributor discount. It is the percentage off your retail price that you offer to the publishing trade for distributing your book. The “publishing trade” consists of wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Everyone who handles your book takes a piece of the trade discount.

The larger the trade discount, the more money there is to split up among the parties involved. Standard trade discounts range from 50% – 70% although you can choose to go lower for online only distribution.

Who determines my trade discount?

This depends on your publisher. Some publishing companies don’t disclose their trade discounting policies upfront and don’t give the author any say in the matter. However, some cutting-edge publishers, such as Outskirts Press, offer their authors the flexibility of setting their own trade discount. Flexibility varies by publisher.

The ability to choose your trade discount can be beneficial because you can choose your trade discount based on your distribution goals — online, offline, or both.

How does trade discount affect price?

Publishing companies who allow you to set your trade discount also give you the flexibility to choose the price of your book.

When thinking about pricing, it is important to remember that a trade discount is different from a retail margin. Wholesalers receive the trade discounted price. Then they turn around and distribute your book to a retailer for a retail margin they set. If the trade discount and retail margin were the same, the seller wouldn’t make any money and would go out of business. For this reason, the retail margin passed to the retailers is always lower than the trade discount you set.

To learn more about trade discounts and book pricing, contact your self-publishing company.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

Self-Publish in Honor of Father’s Day

Whether you are a father or the child of a wonderful father, now is the great time to honor yourself or the man (or men) who’ve made a lasting impression on your life. Here are five tips to help you self-publish in honor of Father’s Day.

1. Tell your story.

If you are a father, consider writing a memoir about your parenthood journey. Every parent has a story to tell. Share what your children have taught you, or write about the obstacles you’ve overcome as a parent. Perhaps you are a special needs father who can enlighten the world on what it really means to parent a unique child. Whatever your story, other people, especially other parents, will love to read it.

2. Share someone else’s story.

Does your father have a remarkable life story? Perhaps your grandfather has an interesting story, or maybe the man who lives next door inspires you? Tell the world how great the important man in your life is by writing a book about him or in his honor.

3. Don’t forget children’s books.

Stories about dads are ideal for young audiences. To get ideas, visit your local bookstore or library and look at all the books about moms and dads. Brainstorm a list of unique ideas. Feel free to use your own young children as inspiration.

4. Share your knowledge.

Parents-to-be love books that give them a glimpse at what their new life as parents will be like and that share practical advice on how to survive and enjoy the wonderful, but often crazy, journey of parenthood. Whether your tone is funny or informative, consider writing a book for fathers-to-be.

5. Plan your marketing.

There are several times throughout the year that are excellent for marketing a book about fatherhood. Obviously, Father’s Day is a prime time for books geared towards dads. Christmas is another peak season. Consider your audience and marketing strategy when estimating when you’d like to complete your project.

I’d love to know, how are you honoring your dad this year?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.

 

Choosing a Publisher, Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

It’s Not Too Early to Start Self-Publishing

If you are like many writers, you started 2014 with a list of writing goals: publish a book, write X number of words per day, pick a publisher, etc. Well, June is here, and that means the year is already halfway over. Whether you have been sticking to those writing goals or found them pushed to the bottom of your to-do list, it’s not too late to check them off your list, and even if you haven’t finished your manuscript, it’s not too early to start the self-publishing process. It may be just the motivation you need.

Think about dieting. You write down your goal to lose a certain amount of weight; months later you realize life got in the way and while you’ve made progress, your motivation is weaning and you’re stuck in a diet rut. June has arrived, and you really want to get ready for bathing suit season. How do you motivate yourself? One proven option is buying a swimsuit (or other outfit) in the size you hope to be. The purchase will motivate you to push yourself because you really want to wear what you just bought.

The same scenario works in writing. You’re lacking the motivation to finish your manuscript. You’re stuck in a writing rut. You realize you’re already halfway through the year, and you still have work to do if you want to publish in 2014. What can you do? You can start researching self-publishing companies and choose a publisher. Working with a self-publisher will give you the motivational boost you need to get your book done. You’ll get excited about seeing your book in print and want to finish your project. Plus, most self-publishing companies offer excellent support teams who can help you through each stage of the self-publishing process.

It’s not too early to start self-publishing!

I’d love to know, when do you plan on starting the self-publishing process?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Jodee Speaks

Happy Memorial Day, Self-Publishing Authors

It’s Memorial Day; a day for remembering those who have died while serving in the US Armed Forces. I didn’t grow up in a military family, although my father was in Civil Service for 40 years.  When I was 22 I moved to a military base in Germany, where I acquired gainful employment and enrolled in college.  I remained tightly associated with the military for the next 21 years.  Wow, did this change my perspective about those who serve!  I am in awe and so very, very thankful for those who answer the calling to serve our country.

I lost friends to battles, and I make a point of reflecting on them each Memorial Day.  I’ve visited Arlington National Cemetery and had the eerie and yet peaceful heaviness descend upon me as I observed ceremonies for soldiers I didn’t know.  I’ve donned helmet and Kevlar and flown into Bosnia where I observed hundreds of soldiers living without modern conveniences and very little privacy because they were on a mission; a mission they may not return from.  They are all very special people.  I think about them too.

Prior to my close association with the US Armed Forces, when I choose a book to read purely for pleasure, I tended to navigate toward the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres, but during and after my association with the military, my tastes turned to historical and military fiction novels.  I love a well-written book I can read that has the entertainment value of fiction combined with the historical basis that I can learn from.  Many of the novels I read really drive home the statement that, “Freedom isn’t free.”

Maybe some of you have a story to share about a soldier you loved and lost.  Consider presenting the story as fiction based on a true-story. Self-publishing can help you honor that special person and share their story with the world.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.