POD and PDFs
Print on Demand (POD)
Print on Demand is amazing.
People talk about the innovations that the Internet and other modern technologies have brought us. However, I rarely ever hear anyone talk about POD.
POD allows one book to be printed at a time for a low cost. This is a revolution.
Self-publishers never have to agonize over the decision of how many books to get printed and keeping inventory is a thing of the past.
POD services are offered by DriveThruRPG, Lulu, Createspace, and some other companies. If you want to offer print books, they handle everything you just need to upload a file.
If a customer buys your book, a single copy is printed and shipped to them. If you want some copies to sell at a convention you order them at a low author price and they are shipped to you.
Yes, if you go the more traditional route and have several thousand copies printed you can get the unit price lower. However, shipping is more expensive and the unit price may only be a dollar cheaper.
Not to mention your basement will be filled with books you have to sell as fast as you can.
Recently, I sold my books at a gaming convention for the first time. I was able to order a small number of books that fit my budget. I had some left over, but only a small box.
I'll have more info on POD in future emails.
At first, the important thing is to change your mindset. Do not be concerned about needing to order thousands of dollars of books. There is no need.
PDFs
For RPGs the PDF market is huge. If you do not know PDF is just a certain file type. If you never want to get into print books, you can use PDFs exclusively.
The best part about PDFs is that you only need to press a button or "save as" and your product is ready to be sold.
For starting in self-publishing, I recommend offering PDFs on DriveThruRPG. Why?
It's simpler and easier and not as many objects to juggle as you are first learning how to do this. You can always move into print anytime you feel you are able to.
Stay tuned more tips are coming.
Keep Gaming!
Matt
www.dicegeeks.com