Top 3 Ways to Sell Your eBook Outside of Amazon
Top 3 Ways to Sell Your eBook Outside of Amazon
Selling your eBook on Amazon is undoubtedly a popular and profitable option, but it’s not the only path to success. In fact, many authors are finding great success by selling their eBooks outside of Amazon. Whether you’re looking to diversify your income streams, reach a different audience, or simply avoid Amazon’s fees and restrictions, there are several ways to get your eBook in front of readers without relying on the retail giant.
In this post, we’ll explore the top three ways to sell your eBook outside of Amazon, helping you take control of your eBook sales and grow your author brand.
1. Sell Directly on Your Own Website
One of the most powerful ways to sell your eBook outside of Amazon is by setting up your own online store on your website. This gives you full control over pricing, promotions, and the entire sales process. Plus, you can keep 100% of the profits (minus payment processing fees).
How to Do It:
- Create a Sales Page: Set up a dedicated page on your website where visitors can learn about your eBook, read reviews or excerpts, and easily make a purchase.
- Set Up an eCommerce Platform: Use platforms like Shopify, Gumroad, or WooCommerce (if you have a WordPress site) to set up a secure payment system, manage downloads, and handle customer communications.
- Offer Bonuses or Incentives: To encourage direct sales, consider offering bonuses like exclusive content, worksheets, or access to a private community for those who buy directly from your site.
Benefits:
- Higher Profit Margins: By cutting out the middleman, you can keep more of your earnings.
- Customer Relationship: Selling directly gives you more control over how you interact with your readers, allowing you to build stronger, long-term relationships.
- Full Creative Control: You can customize your website’s design and the entire buying experience.
Considerations:
- You will need to drive traffic to your site through blogging, social media, and email marketing, so it’s essential to build a strong online presence.
2. Use eBook Distribution Platforms
If you want to reach a larger audience without the hassle of managing sales on multiple platforms, consider using an eBook distribution platform. These services allow you to upload your eBook once and distribute it to several retailers, libraries, and other digital stores, all from one dashboard.
Popular eBook Distribution Platforms:
- Smashwords: One of the most well-known platforms, Smashwords distributes to a wide range of retailers, including Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, and libraries. Smashwords also offers marketing tools like coupons and pre-orders.
- Draft2Digital: Known for its user-friendly interface, Draft2Digital allows you to distribute your eBook to platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and more, with automatic formatting and quick payments.
- Payhip: This platform lets you sell directly to your readers, just like a website, but with minimal setup. Payhip handles payment processing, downloads, and customer service.
Benefits:
- Wider Reach: These platforms help you reach readers across multiple eBook retailers, which increases your chances of exposure.
- Streamlined Process: Distribution is easier than uploading your eBook to each retailer individually, saving you time.
- Exposure to Libraries: Some platforms, like Smashwords, give you the opportunity to distribute your eBook to libraries, increasing your visibility.
Considerations:
- These platforms take a small percentage of your earnings, so your profits will be lower compared to selling directly from your website.
- You may have to meet specific formatting or content requirements for each retailer.
3. Sell Through Social Media & Email Marketing
While it’s not a traditional platform, leveraging social media and email marketing can be an incredibly effective way to sell your eBook outside of Amazon. By using platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, you can reach a highly targeted audience and drive them to your sales page or online store.
How to Do It:
- Create a Sales Funnel: Build an email list by offering something of value to potential readers (e.g., a free chapter, a mini-guide, or a special discount). Once people sign up, nurture them with regular content until they’re ready to purchase your eBook.
- Promote on Social Media: Share snippets, behind-the-scenes content, and updates about your eBook. Use hashtags and collaborate with influencers or bloggers to get the word out.
- Use Social Media Platforms with E-commerce Features: Instagram and Facebook, for example, now allow you to sell directly through their platforms. Take advantage of these features to make purchasing as easy as possible for your audience.
Benefits:
- Direct Access to Your Audience: Social media allows you to connect with potential readers on a personal level, creating a loyal fan base.
- Cost-Effective: You don’t need to pay for ads right away to see results, especially if you’re organic with your content. Plus, email marketing offers an impressive ROI when done right.
- Community Building: By engaging with readers on social media and through your email list, you can build a community around your work, which is great for long-term success.
Considerations:
- Building an audience on social media or through email marketing takes time, and you need to be consistent with posting and communicating.
- You may need to experiment with paid ads if you want to quickly scale your efforts.
Conclusion
While Amazon is a great platform for selling eBooks, selling outside of it offers a range of benefits, including higher profits, greater control, and access to different audiences. Whether you choose to sell through your own website, use an eBook distribution service, or leverage social media and email marketing, the key to success is consistency and building a strong connection with your readers. Try combining several of these strategies for the best results and keep experimenting to find what works for you. Happy selling!
Marshall McLeod (aka) Uncle Toad
270-519-6244
