Online Publishing Platforms – Getting Started

Publishing your own book is easier and more affordable than ever. You no longer have to try to sell your work to large publishers, a process that can sometimes lead to rejection.

These days, the toughest decision really comes down to which online publishing platforms are the best when it comes to small writers. There are quite a few to choose from and they often offer different services so choosing the right one is key.

Platforms like Createspace, Palibris, Lulu, and Kindle are just a few you’ll find online.

For beginners, here are some essential things you need to know to get started.

What is a self-publishing platform?

A self-publishing platform, also known as an online publishing platform, refers to a second-party service that could provide authors with:

Different tools, templates, and even assistance when it comes to helping authors format their books in preparation for publication, whether electronic or print.

· Conversion of written manuscripts to eBook format.

· Correction and Editing Services.

· Design help when it comes to book cover and interior design.

· Provide an ISBN number. This refers to the “International Standard Book Number,” which is basically a 13-digit number that helps identify published books intended for libraries, schools, marketing, and book distributors.

· Provide a distribution channel for the author to sell their work to different outlets, such as bookstores, online book sites, and libraries.

· Services when marketing the book.

However, these services are not free, and in most cases, these companies make money by charging authors for all of the aforementioned services or by taking a portion of their book sales.

Benefits of online publication:

· Ease of publication and cost reduction. Here’s the thing, it’s rare that different retailers and distributors contact freelance writers. In most cases, the person would have to reach out to these people, which is something that not many people can easily do. For these people, online publishing platforms give them a bigger channel and market to distribute their work and also profit from it. This also eliminates many of the technicalities associated with book publishing and keeps production costs low.

· Provides access to a larger community of readers.. So, he has managed to put his book together in an e-book format and is now ready to distribute it. Doing this independently can be very difficult. However, with the help of online publishing platforms, your book would be exposed to an international community of readers who might be interested in your book content. That being said, the most popular platforms increase the level of competition, so you need to make sure your book is eye-catching and the content you offer is unique.

· Professional Marketing Services. Most of the time, these platforms are also capable of providing marketing services in the form of: social media presence, press releases, and launch promotions. The only thing is that you will have to pay for it and the price varies depending on the publisher with which you have decided to work. However, for a freelance author, these are certainly beneficial.

So there you have it, just a few of the essentials you need to familiarize yourself with before you start using online publishing platforms to get your work to its intended market. Good luck!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *