If a man [woman] can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mouse-trap than his [her] neighbour, though he [she] build his [her] house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his [her] door.
-Emerson, but also claimed by Elbert Hubbard

Raising awareness of your book and making a beaten path to your door is considered one of the hardest aspects in the book industry. To have recognition for your work even to feel satisfied with yourself is a tough path that everyone has to walk. But, there are a great many resources and companies that will help you attain your goals as a publisher and/or author along the way making your journey smoother.

In an industry where new technologies are making it simple for publishers and authors to bring their books to market efficiently, there has been little to no change in the methods whereby books reach the final consumer. Print on Demand (POD) has made book printing cost effective, and within reach for many writers. But, this means that the market has been flooded with books. So, how do you make your book stand out, reach consumers and still get some compensation for all of your efforts? It is time to take a look at the book distribution model, and make it as effective as POD.

One development in the industry is setting the trend for change: Publishers and Authors are selling books via their websites. This is smart for one simple reason: You are maximizing your marketing dollar, as websites are a cost-effective means for communicating with your readers. Once your readers have found your site, which is sometimes hard as there are so many sites, they can read about your book and are directed to your site of choice to purchase it. Instead of directing consumers away from your site you can sell directly to your readers. Instead of going through a long chain of distribution, which in most cases involves an author, publisher, distributor, and bookseller, the chain of distribution is shortened to you and your readers.

Many individuals do not know that when they set a price for their book, lets say $20 you will have to discount the book again and again. Everyone gets a piece of the pie, and you are left with a sliver: if you are a publisher or author and sell your book for $20, you may get around $6.30 (gross), and $2.70, respectively from the sale of one book (if your lucky). Lets not even mention when the books are returned, you have to pay for the shipping and offer further discounts to put your book back on a shelf.

However, if you sell books on your site as a publisher or author, you can get $20 (gross) from the sale of each of your books. Or, you can take the percentages you would have discounted, and offer your readers better value on the sale of a book. If your publisher sells your books on their site, then direct consumers to your publisher as the savings will be passed along to you. It is time to pick and choose where to direct readers in all of your marketing efforts so that everyone benefits.

Adopting a cost effective distribution model is simple, especially given tools such as bookhitch to help you direct consumers to where you would like your books to be purchased. There are simple ways to implement a new model and create your own website to drive sales (if you haven’t done so already):

1) Shop around. You can create a website to showcase your book using one of the many companies that offer free website hosting, or you can reserve your own domain name and have your website designed. You may just want to start out simple, but it depends on your budget.

2) Create a website to showcase your books. Pick a method by which consumers can buy your books. This can be as simple as a “buy now” button that takes consumers to another site for processing, or as complex as having your own shopping cart features with payments processed on your site. But, as stated previously you may want to start out simple and work on a different system for long term sales.

3) Have all of your marketing materials made with your website URL; on your next print run have it placed in the book (s) so that readers can find out more about you. You can even create an electronic signature for all of your e-mails.

4) Direct traffic to your site using websites such as bookhitch.com.

5) Don’t forget to measure traffic to your website, you can do this simply by running a Site Statistic report. This report will give you valuable information about where your marketing dollars can be best spent.

Even if you still utilize the traditional method, you can limit your book distribution model to an author, publisher/ printer, and the final consumer. bookhitch was designed for you to list your books and choose where you would like to direct readers…to your site. Our premium listings also give added exposure for your books on the search engines, giving you your own web page. Readers’ come to bookhitch, find your book, click on the link provided and are taken to your site where they can find more information about, or buy your book. bookhitch is an essential link connecting the vital parts of any book distribution model: publishers, authors and readers.

Given technological advances and changes within the industry that have made book printing efficient, you can now make your book distribution cost effective. bookhitch can help you make a beaten path to your door, driving interested consumers to your site: bookhitch raises awareness of your books, and website.