Lately, I've realized that while I am selling my nonfiction book, How to Write a Children’s Fiction Book, I’m making peanuts. I may sell more books, but I'm not making the money I should.
The reason for this is IngramSpark's discounts.
Now, I’m not slamming IngramSpark (an aggregator), I’m just letting authors know to be careful with entering metadata, return information, discount information, and so on.
Why Use Aggregators?
The purpose of going with an aggregator like IngramSpark is to reach a much larger audience.
Keep in mind that an aggregator distributes your books to a lot of retailers.
IngramSpark has a distribution network of over 40,000 retailers and wholesalers. This includes libraries, schools, chain stores like Walmart and Target, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Adlibris.
So there’s a definite benefit to using an aggregator. They help you reach the world on a large scale.
You’ll definitely sell more books.
Other book aggregators include BookBaby and Smashwords.
A Middleman
But…
Think of the aggregator as the middleman. He takes his cut of the pie, and the retailers selling the book get their share.
Then if you want to sell in bulk to larger retailers, you need to offer a discount. I think I set mine at 55 percent.
IngramSpark’s printing fees are also higher than Amazon's, and they charge a distribution fee on all sales.
And no matter who you use, shipping fees for paper books will be deducted from your sales.
What does this all mean?
Well, my ebook sells for $6.99; the paperback sells for $14.99
For some sales, I make less than $1 per sale. If I’m lucky, I’ll make between $1 and $2 per sale. For an ebook, I've made as little as $0.26.
I’m not quite sure why this happens with digital sales also. I would think I’d make at least 50 percent, but I don’t.
What can you do to make more money?
Sell from your own website using PayPal.
My Books Page on my website has Buy Buttons linked to PayPal.
When the customer clicks the link and buys the book, they're taken to a download page on my website to get the ebook.
If you don’t know how to create a download page, Book Funnel is a service that’s recommended by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
Using PayPal, they get a 5% plus merchant fee on all my sales, but I still end up with around $6.26 as I only sell ebooks from my site.
Quite the difference.
Possible Drawbacks of Selling Directly
1. Customers may be just a bit leery of buying directly from the author’s website, especially if you’re not well-known.
2. Unless you know how to handle paper book sales through your own website, you can only sell digital books.
3. If there’s a glitch in the download, an annoyed buyer will be contacting you.
Another alternative.
Amazon KDP is another alternative. It offers 60% royalty, but keep in mind that for print books you’ll be charged for printing and shipping.
If you don’t want the hassle of selling from your own website, selling digital books on Amazon KDP is a great solution.
My only concern is with print books.
Amazon is notorious for letting third-party sellers sell through their its site, and those sellers can sell your books at any price they choose.
Although, I just checked my paperback on Amazon, and it’s selling directly through Amazon, at least for today. I've seen my books available for sale through 3rd parties for over $90.
I’d love to know how you’re selling your books. Please leave a comment!
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, book doctor, editor, and self-publishing consultant. I help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript into a book you’ll be proud to call your own—and provide hands-on guidance through every step of the self-publishing process.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
A 200+ page book that will help you write your own children’s book.
CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK AND CHAPTER BOOK COACHING
4- to 12-week programs
WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING GUIDANCE & SERVICES
Guidance and more for children’s authors (specializing in picture books and chapter books)
You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
