Here’s a list of websites you need to know about when starting out as a self-publisher. Most of the websites listed are considered to be the biggest names in the industry. They are listed in random order:
1. Google.com/AdSense: They manage the affiliate programs for many websites. These sites, including BarnesAndNoble.com, require an account with Google AdSense if you wish to earn referral fees. Free.
2. LinkedIn.com: a way to list yourself and make professional connections. Free.
3. WordPress.com: the biggest, easiest and best way to create a blog. Free. See also WordPress.org
4. Scribd.com: save and share PDF documents; and sale of documents and eBooks. Free.
5. SmashWords.com: an excellent place to get involved with publishing eBooks. Smashwords is an eBook publishing and distribution platform for eBook authors, publishers and readers. We offer DRM-free e-books in multiple formats, ready to try and buy, ready to be read on any e-reading device.
6. Amazon.com Book Benefits Program: the largest and most important Internet sales book site for retailers. You will spend a lot of time researching Amazon.
7. BarnesAndNoble.com: the second largest retail sales book site.
8. APSS: Association of Special Sales Publishers: helps authors find new sales opportunities for buyers outside of the book trade.
9. iBooks.com: for selling your eBooks.
10. BookWorks.com: the association of self-publishers.
11. YouTube.com: the main place to show your videos. Free.
12. LightningSource.com: a POD source for printed books and eBooks; will manage your POD sales worldwide and distribute to Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Seen as a backdoor to get your publications into Ingram’s database.
13. BowkerLink.com: the source for purchasing and managing ISBNs.
14. FreeBarCodes.com: a great place to create Bookland barcodes for your publications. Free.
15. Linda.com: the best place to learn about publishing software. I spend a lot of time using this website.
16. MailChimp.com: Management of mailing lists. To a certain extent free of charge.
17. EzineArticles.com: Authors can publish their articles to a searchable database for newsletter publishers to publish. Free.
18. PRLog.com: is an online service for the distribution and transmission of press releases. Free.
19. CreativeCommons.org: provides licenses that help the copyright owner share some rights with others. Free.
20. Gravatar.com: a website used to create your personal avatar that appears wherever you post a comment. Free.
21. CafePress.com: An excellent website for creating t-shirts, hats, etc. with graphics and images that you create. Excellent way to add a small side income to your book sales.
22. SPAWN.org: Network of small publishers, artists and writers. Excellent way to connect with like-minded people. A huge amount of helpful information. Its mission is to provide education, information, resources, and a supportive networking environment for creative individuals and small business owners interested in the publishing process.
23. IBPA-online.org: Association of Independent Book Publishers. Excellent way to connect with like-minded people. A huge amount of helpful information. IBPA is a trade association of independent publishers. Founded in 1983, it serves book, audio, and video publishers in the United States and around the world.
24. SelfPublishingReview.com: is an online magazine dedicated to self-publishing: book reviews, publisher reviews, interviews, news, opinion and how-to’s.
Here are three more to check out as well:
25. PayPal.com: a fast, easy and very popular way to send and receive money.
26. CIPblock.com: Librarian and publisher Adrienne Bashista creates the CIP block for your books. Bashista’s goal is to provide the independent publisher with high quality CIP blocks at a reasonable price while maintaining a high level of service and quality.
27. Shopify: the biggest, easiest and best way to sell your books through your own online store. No design skills required and can be easily customized.
Thanks to Joseph C Kunz, Jr | #websites #manage #promote #market #selfpublishing #business