You’ve finished your manuscript, and decided you don’t want to work with a traditional publisher. Now, there’s only one thing left to do: learn how to sell books independently. In the years before the explosion of eReaders and eBook files, the only real alternative was to finance the first printing run and marketing of your self-published book. Today, it’s no longer necessary to secure startup funding for a massive investment in your brand as an author. In fact, it’s as easy as securing the right tools and services to successfully execute a strong sales plan.

How to Sell Books on a Budget

If you’re like most new authors interested in self-publishing, you don’t have a small fortune at your disposal to invest in your work. Rather than spending money you don’t have to commission a complex and high-cost custom website, it’s better to explore other options at your disposal. You may be surprised to learn that you don’t actually need one of these expensive websites. In fact, you can take advantage of free blog sites, inexpensive self-built template sites or even a social media account if you choose the right support tools. High-end eCommerce platform services like PayLoadz.com are the ideal solution, no matter the size of your budget.

Managed sales through your own site gives you the freedom to set your own prices, market your work as you see fit and control how your work is sold. Even mass eBook direct publishing platforms will limit this freedom, offering restrictive plans which are rarely as lucrative as well-managed independent sales.

Learn How to Sell Books Yourself

At first blush, the idea of taking on total responsibility for your book sales can be daunting. After all, there seem to be many moving parts and requirements. The truth is, all you really need is a handful of tools. First, you must be able to process and receive payments through a secure provider, like Google Wallet or PayPal. Second, you must have access to file hosting which protects your work. You’ll also need a method of automating content delivery. Delays in delivery can cause substantial damage to your reputation for customer service, as instant access has become the norm for digital goods.

Because it’s exceptionally challenging to figure out how to sell books to people who aren’t aware of your brand, it’s vital to build a strong marketing plan. This doesn’t have to mean prepaid investment in expensive banner ads or sponsored social media posts. These are not only costly, they’re also not guaranteed to work. For authors just starting out, it’s almost always better to use guaranteed marketing tactics, like affiliate networks. These are built in to high-quality eCommerce provider systems, and will connect you with marketing you only pay for when it works.

Don’t delay any longer. Polish, edit and format your eBook, and start learning how to sell books without corporate support today.