Now that you have finally finished your manuscript, the next big step is getting it into your reader’s hands. One of the more important elements of the process will definitely be book distribution services. Most fabulous options out there might be overwhelming, yet choosing the one that’s right for you becomes exceptionally hard. Not to worry—I’m here to walk you through, share some real-life experiences, and make sure you feel confident about your choice.

What Are Book Distribution Services?

Before we embark on a selection process, let’s understand what exactly book distribution services are. By way of definition, they are services that take your books from your hands to the bookstores, online platforms, and finally, to the readers. They manage the logistics of the distribution, inventory, and many times, marketing of your book. Think of it as the connection between the manuscript and the market.

Why the Correct Service Matters

Choosing the right book distributor makes all the difference in the performance your book is likely to deliver. A distributor has the potential to help extend your book’s reach, better manage your inventory, and may even support you in your marketing initiatives. On the other hand, though, make the wrong choice and it could limit your book’s reach, adversely affect your sales, and add undue stress.

How to Choose the Best Book Distribution Services

Know What You Want

Define your goals before commencing a search for services to distribute books. Ask yourself the following: What are my distribution goals? Do you merely want to sell books online, in a modern-style store, or in a more traditional setting–or all of the above? Do you want service that will help market? Or will you de all that on your own?

For instance, when I was publishing my novel for the first time, I was at a loss as to whether to publish it online or focus on local bookshops. Then, in view of considering whom exactly I wanted to reach and what objectives I hoped to achieve, I chose online distribution. It set the tone for my way: specially presented online, a certain service really specializes in eBooks.

Research Your Options

There are quite a few book distribution services available, many doing what they claim to do with both advantages and disadvantages. Among these, popular ones are IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, and Smashwords. Here is a quick overview of what to look for in each:

IngramSpark: They are renowned for reaching a vast network of bookstores and vast networks of libraries and by benefiting from print on demand you can avoid tying huge inventories.

Draft2Digital—primarily for eBook distribution, but has a really clean user/author interface and very responsive customer care. They have print-on-demand offers as well.

Smashwords: Electronic or eBooks management giant with significant distribution networks has made a solid accomplishment of making a name as an author-friendly, independent company.

Reading and discussing the reviews among other authors really showed me what the services offered were about, and how those services suited my purposes.

Estimate costs and royalties

Every book distributor will have their own pricing and royalties structure—whether it’s an upfront cost to the publisher or a percentage taken from the sale—so it is crucial to know just what the costs will be and how they might then gnaw into your earnings.

For instance, IngramSpark comes with those setup fees for every format, but going to bookstores was definitely necessary for me. Now, with Draft2Digital, it took a small percentage of each sale but had no upfront fees. Examine these options carefully to find what fits your pocket and goals.

Distribution Channels Check

Services differ in the number of distribution channels available. Do be certain the service you go with covers all the outlets at which your readers are likely to purchase your book; that could be major online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books; physical bookstores; and libraries.

For the distribution of my book, I made sure that the service would grant me access to all the major online retailers so that I could have ample visibility and outreach for my book.

Look for Additional Services

Some services associated with distributing books offer added extras, from marketing support to formatting assistance, promotional tools, and so forth. If you need help beyond basic distribution, these extras may prove very valuable to you.

As an example, Draft2Digital offers free formatting tools, which really helped me to hone my eBook ahead of publication. If this is a take at service perks, it can help to save time and to add to the quality of the book.

Read the Fine Print

Go over their terms and conditions very carefully. Note whether the hiring contract is valid for a short period, the terms of exclusivity, and termination policy. You really have to make sure that there’s no long lock-in with unfavorable clauses.

I have overlooked an important point in a contract and ended up incurring a few intended and some not and intended costs. Valuable lesson. From that, I now take the time to look at what the terms are before I sign anything.

Seek advice

You could also get those leads from peers who have experience with the services available in the market for book distribution. They will share with you how it went, what worked, and what did not work for them.

While choosing the service distributer I had to work with, I contacted other authors in my genre. Their references and cautions guided me toward a service that met my needs.

Give it a try

If practicable, try and test out the service with a small project prior to having to invest in full distribution. This enables you to really get a feel for how satisfactory the service is and if it will meet your needs. I did a small eBook release for my first novel, so as to test the distribution process and be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the service. That way I could change it as necessary.

Evaluate Customer Service

A good customer support will help so much, in fact, where you find difficulty with your distribution. Find out how and if the service has some reliable support and quickly protests questions and problems. Correspondingly, responsive customer service had been one of the vital criteria during the distribution procedure. It helped to manage things smoothly and keep them on track.

Conclusion

Choosing what book distribution services are best for your novel is a very key decision, for sure, as it will definitely influence how successful your book will be. Find a services distribution partner that best matches your distribution goals with the knowledge of what you need, options to consider, and what the costs are together with whether there are supplementary services. Keep in mind that the appropriate service for book distribution can give you more potential in order to achieve a wider audience and more book prominence. Therefore, take your time, deliberate, and pick a service that has the best way to support you in your publishing process.