Not all publishers are the same who market their books in the most efficient & cost-effective way. When it comes to marketing your book, you need to match it with the distribution models that best match your business model. A distributor plays a strong role in making your books available in the market. The 2 most common small press distribution services for Publishers are wholesale distribution and full-service distribution.
A publisher must choose a business that fits with their publishing business. Choosing the right book distributors not only improves effort, time, and customer service. Book distribution is a necessary aspect. If you want your book to be available in multiple channels, then you must maximize the opportunities for customers to search & buy the products. However, there are many options available, such as Reptick, an online reputation management agency. We are popular for shaping reputations and Building legacies.
Distributors as the link between small presses and retailers
The distributors of small press distribution maintain a close link between the small presses & retailers-
- Distribution- Small presses are required to get their books into the physical stores so they can be available for purchase. They offer store trade discounts & book return options.
- Marketing- The small presses mostly have limited finances, and that’s why they may rely on word-of-mouth marketing, connections, and sales channel efforts with the niche audience to reach the broader communities.
- Contacts- The small presses mostly have more flexible contract terms than the larger publishers. In addition, they may also pay royalties to the authors for the right to sell the books. The small presses are publishers who select books, edit the market, and distribute them. Furthermore, they can be an option for writers who want to be traditionally published but are not concerned regarding the size of the advance.
Challenges faced by online Booksellers when shipping books
Despite the convenience of online bookselling, multiple challenges can cause errors in the smooth delivery of books. Here we mention a few challenges-
- Vulnerabilities in packaging- There might be the risk of damage throughout the transit because of inadequate packaging material.
- Errors in cost management- The cost of shipping can often cut the profit margins. So, managing shipping costs with customer expectations is imperative to maintaining competitive pricing without compromising service quality.
- Delay in delivery- The delivery delays also impact sales due to increasing customer expectations. It is necessary to deal with unexpected delays during the delivery process & keep the customers informed to manage the expectations effectively.
- Managing inventory- It is necessary to ensure the racking of inventory & management to avoid the chances of backorders and stock. Inventory logistics management also improves the overall customer experience & satisfaction.
- Refund & returns- Similar to the apparel industry, e-commerce store bookselling also witnesses the requests for returns. When you don’t manage the returns & refunds, the complexities may occur. Managing the logistics also smoothens the refund and replacement procedures; otherwise, you might lose customers.
How do distributors handle book warehousing and fulfillment?
The book distributors handle the book warehousing & fulfillment by receiving the books from the publishers and then storing them in the warehouse. After that, they will package and ship them to customers. Honest & open communication is necessary to maintain a strong & successful relationship between the distributor and sellers.
Transparent & honest communication is necessary to continue the business. Effective communication allows the distributor & business to work on the same page. It helps you to make changes and respond to the challenges together. When the small press distribution firm trusts its distributors, it will be more inclined and dedicated to selling your books.
The best ways to improve the sales of small press distribution
Small indie publishers can quickly improve their sales by choosing the necessary packaging material and selecting the necessary reliable shipping partners. Well, here are some more ways to improve the sales of small press distribution.
- Conduct regular reviews of the business- The regular business review involves assessing the performance of current book distributors and discussing the goals, opportunities, and challenges. Furthermore, it will foster transparency and trust within the partnerships. Understanding the performance of the distributors helps to measure the areas of improvement, & align the strategies for success, and improve sales for the business. This is why small distribution firms must schedule the business review with the distributor.
- Stay focused on branding & packaging- Packaging should be tailored to the distributors’ customer base. The business should be more focused on retail-friendly packaging. Ask the distributors to utilize eco-friendly packaging alternatives. In addition, ask the distributors how the package is held up throughout transportation or logistics. The right packaging makes the product more appealing and helps to reach the right target audience. The product’s packaging represents the brand and integrity of the business.
- Promote the products in all channels- The small distribution firms offer promotions that are tailored to every distributor. Businesses should be strategic when offering specific distributors perks & discounts. When you reach out to Reptick, we will promote the product and improve the business reputation through various sales channels. Our reputation management guide will help you understand how to improve sales.
Working with the distributors delivers amazing potential for the growth of business. Understanding the requirements of distributors, product optimization, and managing the efficiency of the supply chain is necessary for the growth in sales. The right distributors will help to data-driven insights and develop pull-through demands that are necessary for maximizing sales.
