How To Promote My New Book (Amazon or Affiliate Program)?

Question

I'm self-publishing my new book about to be published shortly through LightningSource. Here's my dilemma as a self-published, self-marketing author:

1. Do I leave fulfillment to LightningSource/Amazon who will charge me 55% right off the top, leaving me with much smaller margins (the cost of the book will come from my share, the remaining 45%) and focus on just marketing the book? If I take this route, then I can't do much for affiliates and Joint Venture partners, but reduces a lot of S&H overhead.

2. Do I do the fulfillment myself, selling the book for lower than Amazon, worrying about shipping and handling (especially international shipments, refunds, etc)? This approach will give help me pay decent amounts to affiliates, JV partners and bulk resellers, but increases my order- processing overhead.

What do you think?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Ravi Jayagopal
Author, "No Business Like E-Business"
http://www.NBLEB.com

Richard C,

The other problem with selling on Amazon is that Amazon will not share the buyer's contact info with you (unless I'm wrong?).

So, I'm trying to figure out what's the best way to market on Amazon, as well as on my web site - but the major problem of doing it on my web site is figuring out the shipping price for international buyers.

- Ravi
http://www.RavisRants.com

Answer 1

I think if you want more speific answers you should post the same question in the business and finance section. Trust me they know more than the people here.

Answer 2

I know of several self-published authors who have used Amazon because of what you mentioned, plus they market through a myriad of on-line book groups who write reviews for specific genres of books. Unless you have experience in the entire marketing/sales of a book then Amazon may be the best way to go to build - if nothing else - a solid mailing list for future ventures and the ability to build a marketplace for you writings without other hassles.