| Last week, the Wall Street Journal published an | | | | or which may also be worthwhile as they provide |
| article that highlighted how E-Readers are changing | | | | many of these same types of services. |
| our reading habits. In sum, people with an | | | | Advantages to using an existing marketplace |
| e-reader, such as the Kindle or Nook, buy more | | | | application |
| books and read more on average than people | | | | - · Generally quick and easy to |
| without such a device. | | | | format a manuscript and get it into the store |
| From a technology and entrepreneur standpoint, | | | | - · Quick compatibility across |
| this presents an amazing opportunity for new | | | | multiple devices |
| authors to build and expand their audience, as well | | | | - · "Organic" visibility as people |
| as provide new revenue streams to support their | | | | browse the store |
| love for writing. This article focuses on three | | | | - · Generally free to submit a |
| distribution methods that can help authors and | | | | manuscript, so no upfront costs |
| other artists distribute their works. | | | | - · Freedom to choose your own |
| 3 Distribution Channels | | | | pricing, with some exceptions |
| Publishing a book on these devices can happen in | | | | - · Excluding Apple's iBookstore, |
| a variety of different ways. | | | | other e-bookstores work on almost all platforms, |
| 1. 1. You can develop a | | | | including most types of smartphones, e-readers, |
| proprietarycustom software application for a | | | | tablets, and desktop/laptop computers |
| specific device | | | | Disadvantages |
| 2. 2. You can submit a book into any | | | | - · Higher commission – You |
| existing e-book application for a specific device | | | | make less from each sale |
| 3. 3. You can post your manuscript | | | | - · Still need to self market, or pay |
| online (for free or behind a pay wall) in a format | | | | for marketing, however it is a bit easier because |
| that is compatible with these devices | | | | the market owners (Amazon, Sony, Barnes |
| As a custom software developer, our perspective | | | | & Noble, and Apple) are all very well trusted |
| is based off interaction with clients as well as our | | | | retailers |
| experience in mobile app development, including | | | | - · Some content restrictions, |
| iPhone® app development, iPad®, and | | | | fewer customization options |
| Android® development platforms. As such, this | | | | - · In most cases, no copy |
| article looks technology options for helping the | | | | protections or DRM control options |
| self-published author. | | | | - · Some distribution restrictions |
| Keep in mind that although self publishing often | | | | limiting your freedom to sell on other platforms or |
| refers to books, most of the options below can | | | | in other formats |
| also be used to publish music, videos, DVD and | | | | - · Not as easy to publish |
| CD type media, and other visual and auditory | | | | graphic-heavy books, such as comics and graphic |
| formats. | | | | novels |
| | | | | |
| 1) Develop a Proprietary Application | | | | 3) Host Your Works Online |
| Custom Smartphone apps are small programs | | | | A third option is to host your content online in a |
| that can be installed onto your phone. Blackberry, | | | | format that is optimized for mobile app devices |
| Windows, Android and Apple's iOS devices | | | | such as e-readers, smartphones, and tablets. This |
| (iPod®, iPhone and the iPad) all have unique | | | | option can include free or paid distributions |
| markets and are not cross-compatible with one | | | | methods, meaning that a person would need to |
| another. | | | | purchase the document before being able to |
| Creating a unique application for these devices to | | | | access it. Once purchased, the file could be |
| showcase your works (such as book, music, art, | | | | downloaded and accessed by the user, similar to |
| or other works) can be the perfect platform for | | | | other e-commerce and digital distribution systems. |
| you, although it also comes with some unique | | | | Custom or semi-custom website development |
| challenges. | | | | options are available from a large variety of |
| Advantages to creating a unique application | | | | developers, as well as template sites that have |
| - · Full editorial control, although | | | | limited configuration options, which can fit most |
| some stores have content restrictions | | | | hosting needs and budgets. |
| - · Take advantage of the device | | | | Advantages |
| features (such as animating elements of a graphic | | | | - · Easier to provide preview or |
| novel or children's book so they move and you tilt | | | | demo content |
| the phone) | | | | - · Full editorial control with no |
| - · Integrate music, video, voice, or | | | | content restrictions (except for illegal content, of |
| many other interactive elements | | | | course) |
| - · Higher royalties, no third-party | | | | - · Generally cheaper than creating |
| commissions, and a broad range or pricing controls | | | | an application |
| - · Analytics (monitor sales and | | | | - · Easier to promote all your |
| downloads) and quick user feedback | | | | works in one place, as well as promote yourself |
| - · Ability to update the application | | | | - · Advanced analytics and sales |
| Be sure to read our previous blog post about | | | | tracking |
| what to look for in a Smartphone Application | | | | - · Easy to add new content and |
| Developer. | | | | works |
| Disadvantages | | | | - · Can be deployed in conjunction |
| - · Higher startup costs (the highest | | | | with the above options |
| of the three options) | | | | - · Full price control, no commissions |
| - · Unique to each operating | | | | (unless you specifically choose to) |
| system (An iPhone app does not work on | | | | Disadvantages |
| Android phones, for example, but it would work | | | | - · More difficult to market and |
| on the iPad or on an iPod Touch) | | | | promote to an external audience |
| - · Still need to self market, or pay | | | | - · More expensive than |
| for marketing. However promotion is a bit easier | | | | piggy-backing on other e-book stores |
| since people are familiar with the app market | | | | - · Higher ongoing hosting costs, |
| concept | | | | and pay management |
| - · Longer development time | | | | - · Some device compatibility |
| | | | | restrictions on format |
| 2) Submit to an Existing E-book | | | | - · Ongoing IT or tech support may |
| Application | | | | be necessary |
| One option for self-publishing is to create a | | | | - · Less control and prevention |
| custom e-book application that can be distributed | | | | against redistribution |
| on an e-reader device. There are three main | | | | |
| brands of e-readers on the market, and a fourth | | | | Summary: |
| if you include the iBookstore for the iPad. These | | | | There are lots of options for self-publishing, and |
| include the Kindle Reader by Amazon, the Nook | | | | each may appeal to a different level of writer and |
| by Barnes & Noble, and the Sony E-Reader | | | | artist. In general, piggy-backing into existing apps |
| (multiple varieties). | | | | may be an ideal place to start for hobby writers, |
| The benefit to this approach is that each of these | | | | since no upfront investment is needed, although |
| devices also has an application that allows the | | | | the payback is less. |
| e-books to be purchased and read on a variety | | | | For more serious and ambitious self-publishing |
| of different devices including smartphones, other | | | | writers, creating a proprietary app for each of |
| tablets, and on desktop/laptop computers. | | | | your works, or selling your works independently |
| While these all have their own nuances and | | | | online may be a more ideal choice. In either case, |
| benefits, here is a quick breakdown of some of | | | | self-publishing can be challenging and very |
| the good and bad to this option. In general, this is | | | | rewarding. |
| a great "low commitment" option that has almost | | | | Resources: |
| no start-up costs, and is perfect for the hobby | | | | The Wall Street Journal story mentioned at the |
| writer. For authors interested in this option, we | | | | beginning of this article can be found here: |
| highly recommend you visit the specific providers | | | | We also invite you to visit our website for more |
| directly (links above). | | | | information about Amadeus Consulting's mobile |
| There are also other online self-publishing options | | | | application development options, and our custom |
| that do not exactly fit into this category, such as | | | | website development services. |