How to Sell Books Online

These days more and more books are being released online-only. Major chains and small bookstores just don’t have the space to stock every single title released each year. A writer might not have the distribution. Even if you have a book in retail stores, it’s a good idea to have a major online presence.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A book
• Internet access

1. It should go without saying that you get your book in the major online outlets: Amazon, Alibris, Powell’s, Borders, BooksaMillion, and Barnes and Noble. Contact each site independently—upload a cover, synopsis, and reviews if possible.
2. Create a listing about the book on book-related websites, such as the Internet Book List, Lit.org, or Published.com. These sites may just link to your Amazon page, making an Amazon listing even more important. The sites spread the reach of your Amazon page.
3. Set up your own web page and accept purchases via Paypal or other payment plan. For authors not associated with a big publishing house, direct sales can be effective.
4. Get the book listed in online catalogs. These aren’t distributors so much as a collection of books in a similar genre. There are a number of online catalogs for horror writers, for example. Authorsbookshop.com is a catalog for writing of all kinds.
5. Get the book listed in Google Books. The entire book will be searchable, so if someone types in a keyphrase found in your book, the book will be listed.

Tips & Warnings

• Think about giving a discount for books sold via direct sales. You’ll be able to buy these books at cost so you’ll be able to sell them for cheaper. Also be sure to have packing materials ready so you can ship books as soon as they’re ordered.
• Make the book available as an ebook as well. This will expand the number of sites where you can list the book—opening it up to ebook directories as well.
• Keep track of everywhere the book has been submitted so you can go back and add new positive reviews. This means keeping track of screen names and passwords.
• Beware of sending books to a startup site. If the site goes under, you may never receive payment or get the inventory back.