What’s the best option for an author looking to independently sell books? Publish yourself, by taking advantage of the many tools and services available online. You don’t have to have access to a large startup fund; all you need is a bit of basic knowledge, the determination to succeed and a system tailored to your business model. When your career rests on a strong foundation you’ve built yourself, you’re able to stay in control of your brand while reaching an audience of readers around the world. By choosing systems which allow you to run your own web store, you won’t have to rely upon traditional publishing models, or even eBook retail giants tied to popular eReader devices. You can retain full control over your earnings, keep your publishing rights and avoid the loss of creative control.

What You Need to Sell Books, Publish Independently and Build a Brand

Because there are several different brands of eReader device, each with their own native file formats, you’ll want to consider how you’ll offer your books. Publish in a variety of formats, and you’re able to reach a wider audience with ease. Once your work is edited, formatted and ready for release, it’s time to start thinking about the tools you’ll need to launch and run your eBook business. This is where many new authors and other digital merchants run into their first snag: they invest too heavily in expensive, complex websites built by highly paid professionals. You don’t need an expensive site; you can use a free blog, or a template site you build yourself in an afternoon. You can even use social media profiles as sales portals. All you need is a user-friendly system designed with you in mind.

Dedicated eCommerce platforms, like PayLoadz.com, greatly simplify the entire process of online sales, marketing and order fulfillment. Easy, cut-and-paste HTML linking allows you to turn almost anything into a sales site, while all the tools you need for daily management are at your disposal. Payments are processed through trusted names like PayPal and Google Wallet. Secure file hosting keeps your products safe, and automated download delivery makes sure your customers never have to wait for the products they’ve purchased. Sell your books, publish future works and manage your entire business, all from a single central hub.

Marketing Digital Books: Publish Online and Reach Global Audiences

You want to reach the widest possible audience with your books. Publish directly through a mass eBook retailer, and you’ll only reach those readers who own a particular device. When you run your own web store, you’re able to sell to anyone who finds your work. You will, however, have to find a method of targeting buyers far beyond your own organic reach.

One of the most valuable tools offered by high-end eCommerce platforms is affiliate network access. When you choose a platform which includes this powerful feature, you’re able to work with marketers around the world who will promote your work. You’ll reach potential buyers who might otherwise never hear of your work, boosting sales. Best of all, you’ll never have to gamble on prepaid advertising. Your affiliates are paid a small portion of the proceeds from only the sales they generate, so you only pay for marketing when it works.

Get started today, and find out how you can become the next self-publishing success story.