How to Handle the E-Book Hype
Everyone’s talking about e-books. Well, okay, maybe not everyone. But e-books are being hyped as “the next big thing” in the publishing world. Authors and publishing companies alike are tripping over themselves to jump on the e-book bandwagon.
Much of the buzz surrounding e-books is due in no small part to Amazon.com’s Kindle device, which they have featured prominently and 
consistently on their home page since it was introduced. Apparently, there are now over 250,000 books available in Kindle format. However, e-books have actually been around for a very long time and the market is much bigger and wider than just the Kindle.
Don’t become so mesmerized by the Kindle that you ignore everything else. The Kindle, with Amazon.com backing it, has a lot of advantages and is getting a lot of publicity. But it also has some negatives.
The recent uproar created by Amazon’s decision to simply remove – without warning or option – some e-books that customers had legitimately purchased is one obvious example. Although Amazon’s boss, Jeff Bezos, has now apologized, the incident has served as a wake up call to the problems associated with proprietary e-book formats and devices.
At over $300 the Kindle might be a “must buy” for those who have to be on the cutting edge of technology, but for many people it’s just too expensive. And it only does one thing. Most people won’t want to carry around a separate gadget just for reading books if they can have something that will do everything. Companies like Apple are already developing tablet computers that will let you read books, listen to music, watch videos, surf the internet, check your email, take pictures, and make phone calls – all in one convenient device.
One thing most people agree on is that the e-book market is starting to explode. Barnes & Noble recently launched their e-book store – once again featuring proprietary software and DRM. Independent authors need to make sure they are positioned to take advantage of the full range of opportunities that are available.
Three simple tips to help you handle the e-book hype:
1. See the big picture, cover your bases, and think long-term.
Okay, so that’s really three tips in one. But, if you’re going to make your book available as an e-book, make sure you cover all the formats and distribution options. Don’t limit yourself to just the Kindle or you might find your book at a disadvantage when the competition expands.
2. Focus on marketing and promotion.
Don’t fall for the idea that e-book sales will miraculously drive sales of your physical books. E-books don’t sell themselves any more than printed books. Statistically, e-books can account for up to 25% of total sales — but that’s only for bestsellers and heavily publicized titles.
3. Focus on marketing and promotion.
Yes, I know I’m repeating myself, but with more and more e-books flooding the virtual bookshelves it’s twice as important. Readers need to know about your book before they can buy it — in any format. And then they need to know why they should buy it. Your book needs to stand out more than ever, and that comes down to good old-fashioned hard work and creativity.
At WinePress, we are uniquely positioned to offer far more than just “getting your book on the Kindle.” We have a strong foundation in professional publicity and marketing and, as we move forward to providing a full range of e-book services, our authors will get a big head start over many others.
The e-book market will only get bigger in the coming years and offers great opportunities for independent authors. Thinking ahead and making sensible choices, instead of getting caught up in the hype, will enable your book and your message to jump safely into the electronic future.
Malcolm Fraser is the Executive Officer at WinePress Group, and serves as the assistant to the Executive Publisher. He helps to oversee and coordinate all of WinePress’ different departments, handles customer service issues, contract development, and also contributes to programming and designing websites and author blogs.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
