In this episode, we focus on self-publishing, the crucial role that Nielsen plays in supporting authors, and how you can expand your book distribution successfully beyond Amazon.
I’m Karen Williams, your host, and I’m joined by Sam Pearce, a former commercial graphic designer with over 20 years of corporate design experience.
In my role as The Book Mentor and as an author myself, I’ve worked with Sam for many years. Through her business, SWATT Books, Sam takes authors through the entire publishing process, providing them with the same level of support and expertise as a traditional publisher, whilst ensuring they retain full control and ownership of their work. This means that they can repurpose their content and use it to propel their business forward.
This episode is packed with valuable insights for authors who are looking to take their self-publishing journey to the next level and who want to ensure new readers find their book.
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Guest: Sam Pearce
Bio: Formerly a commercial graphic designer with over 20 years of corporate design experience both in the UK and Canada, Sam started applying her passion for typography and layout to the art of books back in 2012. Since then, she has been involved in the design and publication of over 200 books. These encompass a wide range of genres from business guides and self-help books to children’s stories and fantasy fiction. Sam founded SWATT Books to provide independent authors with a way of being self-published that is credible, professional and ethical. Sam lives near Stonehenge with her husband Nathan, and cat Carmen.
Website: https://swatt-books.co.uk
Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampearceswattbooks https://www.facebook.com/SWATTBooks https://www.instagram.com/swattbooks
Key topics and bullets:
- Introduction of Sam Pearce as a commercial graphic designer turned independent author and self-publishing expert
- Sam's approach to self-publishing and the benefits it offers to authors, particularly business book writers
- The role of Nielsen as the official ISBN agency for the UK and Ireland and their support for self-published authors
- The importance of owning ISBN numbers for broader distribution and control over book publishing rights
- The limitations of relying solely on Amazon for book distribution
- The global distribution network of Ingram Spark, a major print on demand distributor, and the importance of reaching beyond Amazon
- The growing backlash against Amazon and the preference of some readers to support local businesses
- The significance of integrating Nielsen's services into self-publishing to reach a wider audience and support local bookstores
- The option for readers to order books published through Ingram Spark from local bookstores
Time stamped overview:
00:02:23 Self-publishing gives full control and flexibility.
00:04:00 Nielsen manages ISBN numbers, crucial for book distribution.
00:07:24 Amazon offers worldwide distribution through KDP, but not everyone supports them due to their impact on independent bookstores. 40% of business owners surveyed don't buy books on Amazon.
00:10:38 Nielsen Title Editor strengthens book copyright worldwide.
00:16:43 Organic search expands business; metadata is crucial.
00:19:05 Metadata template for ultimate guide to filling in fields. International ISBN agencies listed on International ISBN Organization website.
00:22:17 Update metadata to increase book sales.
Discussion questions:
- How does self-publishing through a company like Nielsen give authors more control over their books compared to traditional publishing?
- What are some of the benefits of self-publishing a book rather than going down the traditional route?
- How does owning the ISBN numbers impact an author's control over their book's publishing rights?
- Why is it important for authors to consider distribution beyond just Amazon when self-publishing their books?
- What challenges might authors face if they only publish their books through Amazon?
- How can integrating Nielsen's services help authors reach a wider audience and support local businesses?
- What impact can local bookstore orders have on an author's book sales, even if the book is not physically stocked in the store?
- How does Amazon's extended distribution service compare to other distribution options like Ingram Spark?
- In what ways can self-published authors leverage their book content for other business purposes, such as training courses or podcasts?
- How does self-publishing allow authors to be more agile and adaptable to their business needs and opportunities?
Keywords: graphic designer, typography, book layout, books, self-publish, author, royalties, publishing rights, publishing process, publishing imprint, ISBN numbers, book distribution, traditional publisher, book marketing, Nielsen, retail sales, copyright, metadata, amazon kdp, Nielsen title editor, publishing through amazon, wide publication, SWATT Books, ingramspark, Samantha Pearce
