Cheri Speaks

The 5Ws of Trade Discounts

To get the best understanding of your book’s price, you have to first understand that there are many individual entities that make up the pricing equation. One of those entities is the trade discount. That term can confuse authors at time, though the concept is not as difficult as it may initially seem. To give you a snapshot view of what trade discounting is, I’ve prepared a list of the 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) of Trade Discounts:

  • Who sets the trade discount? Sometimes the publisher sets the trade discount. At Outskirts Press, we allow authors to set their own discount.
  • What is the trade discount? The trade discount is the discount you extend to a retailer that is carrying your book. The discount you offer can range from 0% (no distribution) to 100% (highly unlikely).
  • When do I select my trade discount, and can I change it later? You select your trade discount before your book publishes, and while you can change your discount at any time, we don’t recommend it. Some retailers may not recognize the change for a while, and most likely you will incur additional costs for revising your book. It’s important to research trade discounts beforehand in order to make sure you are making the best decision for you and your book.
  • Where will your book be available when choosing certain trade discounts? The minimum trade discount is 20% for online-only distribution. If you want to penetrate most retail stores, you will want to offer a discount of 40-55% (your book must also be fully-returnable). If you’re targeting wholesale clubs (Sam’s Club, Costco, etc.), you will want to offer a discount between 60-75%.
  • Why do I have to offer a discount at all? Your discount determines the price retailers pay for your book (wholesale price). They then sell the book for more (in most cases) and keep the profit. If the retailer can’t make any profit, what’s the benefit of carrying your book? Keep in mind, though, the higher the trade discount, the lower your royalties. In order to make the transaction go smoothly for both parties, you must choose a happy medium from both perspectives (the retailer and you).

What trade discount have you set for your book? Has it allowed you to penetrate your target market?

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING:
Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.
Wendy Speaks

Top 5 Tips for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint (Including Print on Demand Self-Publishing)

Before you published your book (or while you’re in the process of doing so), did/have you ever considered the negative impact that the printing of your book could have on the environment? Have you ever thought of how many trees die for the sake of unsold books that clutter your house or valuable shelf space in your local bookstore? As an author in times with so many technological advances, print-on-demand self-publishing is quite possibly the route you’ve taken/will be taking. Because of this, you don’t have to worry so much with the negative affects that your book can have on the environment.

With Earth Day right around the corner (April 22), now is the time to re-evaluate your regular activities to determine where you can cut back to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Publish your book to be printed/distributed using Print-on-Demand technology.

2. Recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum. You can find your local recycling center HERE.

3. Support companies that have “Gone Green”. Usually they will use more energy efficient lighting, print less documents (i.e. paperless systems), and have recycling bins on campus.

4. Use public transportation or walk. Instead of damaging the environment with gases from your vehicle, walk to your destination (when possible) and/or catch the bus/subway.

5. Sign up for e-billing/paperless statements through your bank or credit union. You can call your local branch to see if this is offered.

6. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website to learn more about reducing your carbon footprint.

What things are you doing to be more environmentally-conscious (not just on Earth Day — but everyday)? 

ABOUT WENDY STETINA:
Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Book Reviews

Should You Pay for a Book Review?

As an author in the self-publishing industry, reviews for your book are very important.  A book published by an unknown author has little chance of gaining attention, while the same book (and the same “unknown” author) with a number of positive reviews can begin to gain momentum.  Those positive reviews can help persuade potential new readers to buy the book and the word-of-mouth continues.

You may have already received reviews from some of your friends or colleagues, so what next?  There are some free review services where you can send a copy of your book.  These services are a great resource; however, because they are free, the reviewers get inundated with books and can’t review every book they receive.  Their services can also take several months and the reviews are not guaranteed to be good.

In addition to free review services, there are some services available where you can pay to be guaranteed a review.  That said, the review is still not guaranteed to be good, but if you are confident in your book (which you should be, after all you wrote and published it!), you shouldn’t need to worry about that.

Here are three pay-for-review services you can start with:

BLUE INK REVIEW

A Standard Review is $395 for the review to be completed in 7-9 weeks.

A Fast Track Review is $495 for the review to be completed in 4-5 weeks.

BlueInk considers for review any book that has been published (self-published and indie published).  They review e-books, on-demand books, printed books in any format, English translations and English-language submissions from outside the United States, as well as galleys. They do not review manuscripts pre-publication.

FOREWORD CLARION REVIEW

The cost is $305 and turnaround time is 6-8 weeks.

Open to all books and publishers, Clarion promises an objective 400 – 500 word review/critique with a quick six to eight week turnaround. The review will be posted on the ForeWord website (if the publisher desires), licensed to the three top wholesale databases, and made available to the book’s publisher. This service is ideal for books that haven’t received review attention elsewhere.

KIRKUS INDIE REVIEW

Standard review is completed in 7-9 weeks for $425.

Express review is completed in 3-4 weeks for $575.

The Kirkus Indie program gives independent authors a chance to obtain an unbiased, professional review of their work, written in the same format as a traditional Kirkus review. A book review can be an essential and powerful tool for promoting your book to literary agents, traditional publishing houses, booksellers, and, most importantly, potential readers.

DISCUSSION: What are your thoughts on pay-for-review services like these?  Do you have experience with any of the above?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT:
Kelly Schuknecht works as the Director of Author Support for Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Contests, Uncategorized

It’s Time to Enter the Readers Favorite Awards!

Who: You, your book, and the Readers Favorite Award judges

What: Readers Favorite Awards

When: June 1, 2011 (Deadline)

Where: Readers Favorite Website

Why: “Book Awards grab the attention of book stores, publishers, libraries, and readers, which can translate into increased sales. You can refer to your book as an “Award Winning Book” and you as an “Award Winning Author” on your book cover, website, and all other marketing materials. You can add your Award Sticker to existing copies of your book, or incorporate a digital image of it into new or reprinted versions.” (From Readers Favorite website)

Are you ready to win?

Lean more/enter here:

Weekly Wednesday Podcast

Weekly Wednesday Podcast: A Penny Spent is Two Pennies Earned in Self Publishing

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Weekly Wednesday Podcast!

Today we’re covering:

  • REAL costs of self publishing a book
  • Why publishing a book is like starting your own business
  • Risk of NOT investing in yourself/your book

The moral of the story is: a penny spent is two pennies earned when you’re self publishing your book.