The Role of a Book Distribution Company in Publishing
One of the most important steps to get your book at the right place at the right time is book distribution. Regardless of how authors decide to publish their work, with whichever route, book distribution companies play a key role in making sure those books get to where they should be and in a timely manner. It is imperative that you know how your work is going to reach your target customers, in the most cost effective manner.
If your book is going to be marketed towards retail stores, wholesalers, web book stores and the like, you will have to consider getting in touch with a reputed book distribution company. If you are planning on targeting educational institutions, libraries as well as online retailers, make sure the distributor has the know-how and the reach to get your books there. The distributor will be the link between you and the book retailers and since you want your product to reach as many consumers as possible, being thorough in the selection process is unavoidable.
These companies often exist independently and some publishing houses also offer their own book distribution services. When looking for a distributor it will help if they have handled your genre of work before too. For e.g. you are writing a sci-fi fiction saga or a travelogue, check if they have dealt with similar books in the past and have the knowledge of where these books should be ideally sold and how they will get there.
Many distribution companies especially those that work with large retail stores and chains, work directly with publishers and publishing houses and not with individual writers and many of these big retail stores also prefer buying from distribution companies instead of self-publishers; so that is something you will have to consider in the beginning stages when you are deciding on what route to take to publish your work.
Keep in mind that book distribution companies do not handle the marketing strategies of your book and therefore working with a publishing companies that have their own arm that handles distribution services, is often the best bet. An effective marketing strategy is one that will generate the buzz and subsequent sales that benefit you as will the publicity options and similar plans, so always check with your publisher what kind of distribution services they offer and how they can tie it with the best strategies for you.
If your book is going to be marketed towards retail stores, wholesalers, web book stores and the like, you will have to consider getting in touch with a reputed book distribution company. If you are planning on targeting educational institutions, libraries as well as online retailers, make sure the distributor has the know-how and the reach to get your books there. The distributor will be the link between you and the book retailers and since you want your product to reach as many consumers as possible, being thorough in the selection process is unavoidable.
These companies often exist independently and some publishing houses also offer their own book distribution services. When looking for a distributor it will help if they have handled your genre of work before too. For e.g. you are writing a sci-fi fiction saga or a travelogue, check if they have dealt with similar books in the past and have the knowledge of where these books should be ideally sold and how they will get there.
Many distribution companies especially those that work with large retail stores and chains, work directly with publishers and publishing houses and not with individual writers and many of these big retail stores also prefer buying from distribution companies instead of self-publishers; so that is something you will have to consider in the beginning stages when you are deciding on what route to take to publish your work.
Keep in mind that book distribution companies do not handle the marketing strategies of your book and therefore working with a publishing companies that have their own arm that handles distribution services, is often the best bet. An effective marketing strategy is one that will generate the buzz and subsequent sales that benefit you as will the publicity options and similar plans, so always check with your publisher what kind of distribution services they offer and how they can tie it with the best strategies for you.
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