After countless hours of writing, editing and polishing, you’ve finally finished your manuscript. Now, what’s the next step? For many authors, producing a marketable eBook is the easy part; figuring out how and where to sell books is the real challenge. Fortunately, it never has to be a daunting task. With so many options for online eBook sales systems, it’s easy to find the one that’s best suited to your needs as an author and online merchant. Before you leap headlong into managed sales through proprietary eBook marketplaces tied to popular eReader devices, take some time to consider other methods. You may be surprised to find out just how easy and inexpensive it can be to get your own online business off the ground.

Things to Consider When Settling on Where to Sell Books

There are three main options for new or established authors looking to break into online sales. The first is to secure a publishing deal through a traditional publisher, which will typically leave you with both print and eBook versions available. You may even find your work on the shelf at your favorite book store, but there are also a number of drawbacks to consider. First, you will likely collect only pennies for each dollar of actual earnings. Literary agents and publishers take a hefty cut, leaving you with only a tiny fraction of the profit. You will also have limited control over how you and your work are marketed, and an aggressive editor may strip some of your creative control.

Faced with these prospects, it’s no wonder so many new authors are choosing to skip the publisher in favor of figuring out how and where to sell books themselves. Too many perceive their only viable self-publishing option to be managed sales through a proprietary eReader marketplace. These systems can help you gain a substantial amount of exposure, but your audience reach will be inherently limited due to exclusivity requirements. In order to collect the greatest percentage of your earnings, you’ll be required to adhere to exclusivity systems which prevent you from selling your work through any other avenues. You’ll also cede control over your pricing structure, so you’re essentially earning a higher percentage of what may likely be a much lower cover price. This option is equally unpalatable to many, but there is another choice.

Where to Sell Books: An eCommerce Platform Beginner’s Guide

Choosing a strong eCommerce platform like PayLoadz.com allows you all the convenience of managed sales with none of the restriction. You’re able to turn almost anything into a sales portal, eliminating the need for an expensive website. Payments are processed through trusted names like PayPal and Google Wallet, your files are hosted securely and you’ll even have access to risk-free affiliate marketing tools. When it comes to deciding how and where to sell books, choosing a truly independent solution just might be the best option for your future as a self-published author.