Beyond Amazon: Unleashing Hidden Potential for Authors and Publishers
Expanding Influence: Capitalizing on the 40% of Market Unreached Beyond Amazon within the Publication Industry
In the dynamic world of book publishing, authors and publishers are tirelessly seeking strategies to broaden their reach and boost revenue. Amazon stands as a colossus in the industry, offering unprecedented access to readers. But this tiny monopoly comes with an invisible handcuff. A whopping 40% of potential readers remain elusive, lurking in the shadows beyond Amazon's digital domineering gaze.
Authors who pin all their hopes on Amazon might miss out on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Fickle algorithms, sudden policy changes, and ruthless competition within the platform can easily leave a massive audience undiscovered.
The Goldmine Hiding in Plain Sight
According to our 2023 book market report, authors and publishers could pocket an astounding 40% more royalties by venturing beyond Amazon. This is not a call to detach from Amazon but rather an invitation to diversity and explore lucrative opportunities waiting on other platforms.
By stepping out of the Amazon-verse, you can enter a vibrant ecosystem teeming with diverse audiences, untapped international markets, and a wealth of promotional strategies. Platforms like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and independent bookstores open doors to unparalleled visibility and revenue generation.
Apple Books' loyal customer base of Apple device users, Barnes & Noble's blend of physical and digital offerings, Kobo's catering to international readers, and independent bookstores' championing of author discovery – each platform offers benefits that authors and publishers can turn to their advantage.
The Power of Diversification: Stepping into the Rainbow
Publishing wide enables you to tap into new audiences, escalating sales potential. Your book's discoverability flourishes as it appears on multiple platforms, enhancing its chances of being spotted by avid readers actively seeking books there.
Beyond financial gains, going wide grants you control over pricing and promotions and fortifies your author brand by solidifying your presence across diverse platforms.
Here are a few compelling reasons to wander off the Amazon path:
1. Language and Regional Access
The reason behind this surge in royalties is primarily due to the surging popularity of alternatives platforms that cater to a myriad of language and regional audiences. Unlike Amazon, which primarily engages with English-speaking markets, other platforms offer access to a multitude of readers hailing from varied linguistic and geographical backgrounds.
2. International Markets
By going wide, you're not just accepting distribution through multiple platforms but ensuring that your book is available in as many countries as possible. With our website boasting a global distribution network encompassing over 400 stores and 240,000 digital libraries worldwide, authors and publishers can penetrate hitherto unreachable markets and resonate with readers on a global scale.
3. Risk Mitigation
Diversifying your distribution channels reduces dependence on a single retailer and mitigates the risk of sudden policy changes or algorithm updates that could adversely impact sales. Spreading your wings across various platforms ensures resilience in the face of industry fluctuations.
4. Flexible Promotional Strategies
Alternative platforms provide a refreshing departure from Amazon's rigid pricing policies and promotional constraints, empowering creators to experiment with different pricing models and marketing tactics tailored to their target audience.
For instance, Apple Books shines a spotlight on book promotions, has affiliate programs, and distinguishes itself as one of the few ebook retailers (alongside Google Play Books) that indexes book descriptions in its search, providing authors with significant control over their book's search visibility.
💪 Whether you publish with one platform or with an aggregator, promotional tactics and a solid marketing strategy are indispensable.
💡 Indie authors who are clueless about where and how to promote their books often find themselves signing an exclusivity contract with Amazon KU 👋
💡 Being an industry titan, this makes sense. However, authors may unintentionally relinquish a significant chunk of royalties they could otherwise make by publishing and promoting their books on other platforms.
💡 Authors and publishers should know that there are platforms offering wide distribution while also integrating marketing tools to simplify the process.
Common Misconceptions about Going Wide
1. Wide publishing is a labor-intensive nightmare
It can be a beast if you publish to each platform individually. But it becomes a breeze if you publish with an aggregator that pings all retailers simultaneously. Moreover, an aggregator like our website comes equipped with built-in book promotion tools, allowing you to manage everything from one platform, from publishing to distribution and marketing.
💡 Going wide is more accessible than ever thanks to aggregators and handy resources at your disposal.
2. Wide publishing is too complicated for beginners
✌️ With aggregators and helpful resources available, going wide is baby steps for newbies.
💡 Publishing on multiple platforms with an aggregator doesn't require any kind of prior self-publishing experience; the process is straightforward and achievable by anyone.
3. Wide publishing hurts sales on Amazon
💡 If folks eager to buy your book from Amazon can't find it there, they'll simply gravitate towards other platforms like Kobo, for example, snapping up your book from there. It's still a sale you made, and it's all about the reader's preferences when it comes to these platforms.
While there might be some minor shifts in sales patterns across platforms initially, the overall impact is often positive for authors, bolstering their sales potential and expanding their reader base.
Investing in diverse platforms beyond Amazon can enhance an author's revenue by up to 40%, as revealed in the 2023 book market report. In a vibrant ecosystem, platforms such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and independent bookstores provide unparalleled visibility, international market access, and promotional opportunities that can lead to increased sales and author brand success.
