Essential Tools for a Successful Wide Publishing Strategy

Everyone’s author journey is different. Especially when it comes to where, when and how to publish your books. Publishing your books on multiple platforms, also known as publishing wide, can be an effective way to expand a book’s horizons beyond the juggernaut that is Amazon’s Kindle Select Publishing platform.

If you’re still deciding whether going wide is right for you, we recommend you check out this article: How Self-Publishing Wide Can Be a Game-Changer

Equip Yourself With The Best Tools For Wide Publishing

If you’re sure you want to take your books wide, or you already have, then keep reading! This article is packed with the tools and resources that you’ll need along the way. We’ll get into marketing and promotion tools that can boost your book’s visibility, to platforms packed with advice, distribution sites that can publish everything for you, software that can elevate the professional quality of your work, and so much more.

Ready to learn how these tools can make all the difference in achieving your publishing goals? We hope so, because in this article we’re going to open the publishing wide playbook for you! Each section of tools is written to help guide you in your publishing wide strategy.

Playbook Step #1: Deciding on Your Formats

Before you decide where to publish, you need to determine the formats in which you’ll offer your book. Both digital and print formats have their unique advantages and can help you reach different segments of readers. eBooks provide speed to market and global reach, making them essential for a wide publishing strategy. Print books cater to readers who prefer physical copies and help to enhance your professional image, making your work more accessible in libraries and local bookstores. If you’re like most self-published authors, you’ll want to publish your book in both print and eBook formats.

Playbook Step #2: Choosing Your Distribution Platforms

After deciding on your formats, the next step is to choose where to publish your books. For digital distribution, consider non-exclusive publishing on platforms like Amazon, Google, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo—known as the Big Five. To go deeper into each of these platforms, check out this article: Choosing the Right Digital Platform: A Guide to the Big Five in Self-Publishing

Print distribution can be handled through print-on-demand (POD) services, which enable you to produce physical copies without large upfront investments. Here are three leading POD providers:

• Lulu Publishing: Offers a user-friendly platform with extensive customization options and lower upfront costs.
• IngramSpark: Provides professional-grade POD services combined with an extensive global distribution network.
• BookVault: Specializes in high-quality POD services with flexible, pay-as-you-go pricing.

Playbook Step #3: Deciding How to Publish

When you’ve decided on the right platform(s) for you, it’s time to decide exactly how you’ll distribute your books. One option is to go to each platform individually and upload your manuscript. This method gives you complete control but requires more work. Alternatively, publishing aggregators can simplify the process:

• Draft2Digital: Simplifies wide distribution by covering multiple major retailers and offering features like automated end-matter and consolidated sales tracking.
• PublishDrive: Focuses on global distribution, including niche channels and international markets, with additional services like formatting, marketing tools, and sales analytics.
• BookBaby: Offers a comprehensive suite of services for self-published authors, including both print and ebook distribution. They offer solutions from everything from cover design and formatting to distribution across the major platforms.

Playbook Step #4: Marketing and Promotion Tools

Effective marketing is crucial for wide publishing success and there are many different ways to promote your books. Use tools that can enhance your book’s visibility and gather reviews to build credibility:

• Booksprout: Helps manage ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) reviews across multiple platforms, building early buzz for new releases. Booksprout will also help you get reviews for previously released books! For ideas on how to integrate Booksprout into your launch plans, check out this author interview with NYT and USA Today Best Selling Author Michelle Pillow.
• Written Word Media: Specializes in promoting books to a wide audience through their various reader-centric websites like Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, Red Feather Romance, Facebook Ads, Hello Books and much more. They offer targeted promotional campaigns that can significantly boost your book’s visibility and drive sales by reaching readers who are actively looking for new books to read.
• Booklinker: Simplifies the process of sharing your book links by creating universal links that automatically redirect readers to their regional Amazon stores. This helps to streamline your marketing efforts and ensures a seamless buying experience for your readers, regardless of their location.
• BookBub: Offers promotional deals and featured listings to boost exposure through targeted email blasts. Apply to get a Featured Deal! It’s never guaranteed but worth a shot.

Playbook Step #5: Sales Reporting and Analytics

Tracking and analyzing sales across multiple platforms is essential for informed decision-making. Efficient sales reporting tools provide the insights needed to optimize your marketing and distribution strategies.

• The creators of Booksprout have some exciting news in this area. Want to learn more? Check out authorbase.com for a sneak peek into the future of sales reporting for authors!

Playbook Step #6: Productivity Tools and Resources

To achieve the level of output needed for a full-time writing career, leveraging productivity tools and other resources is essential. These are just a few of the many tools available to help you stay organized, learn from the best, manage your time efficiently, and streamline your writing process:

• Wide for the Win: Connecting with fellow authors and industry professionals through social media and support groups can provide invaluable insights and encouragement. Joining groups like the “Wide for the Win” Circle group allows you to share experiences, seek advice, and stay updated on the latest trends in wide publishing. This community also offers courses where you can learn how to go Wide from authors that have done it successfully.
• Fictionary: A highly effective tool designed to help authors improve their storytelling by providing detailed feedback on plot structure, character development, and overall story arc. Fictionary analyzes your manuscript and offers actionable insights to enhance the narrative flow and ensure your story captivates readers from beginning to end.
• Scrivener: This writing software designed for long-form writing projects. Scrivener offers robust organizational features, allowing you to outline, research, and write within a single application. It’s a great tool for managing complex manuscripts and ensuring you stay on track.

Continually Enhance Your Wide Publishing Playbook

Equipping yourself with the right tools is essential for mastering the wide publishing landscape. From formatting and distribution to marketing and sales reporting, each tool plays a critical role in your success as a self-published author. There are new tools available all the time, and it’s up to each one of us to figure out what works best for us. By figuring out what works best for you and leveraging those resources, you can ensure your books reach a broader audience, maximize your sales, and build a sustainable author career. Embrace the wide publishing strategy and unlock new opportunities in the dynamic world of self-publishing.