As an indie publisher, the dream of seeing your book reach readers across the globe might seem daunting. However, with the right approach, you can turn this dream into a reality, taking one step at a time.
Here’s a guide to launching your book internationally, leveraging the digital market to its fullest.
Why Digital First?
The digital landscape offers indie publishers a seamless gateway to international markets. Consider this: if a reader in Australia orders a physical copy of your book, the shipping costs alone can discourage them. In contrast, an ebook or audiobook is instantly accessible and draws no additional costs.
While physical books remain popular in the U.S., markets like India and Scandinavia prefer digital formats, eBooks and audiobooks respectively. It's time to embrace this trend.
Choosing the Right Market
Starting with one market at a time simplifies the process. For English-language books, countries with a significant English-speaking population such as Germany, Australia, the UK, or parts of Scandinavia are ideal. Research these markets to find the best fit for your book.
Select a single storefront from the StreetLib list. By utilizing tools like incognito browsers or VPNs, you can explore international stores as overseas buyers would. This view helps identify how similar books are marketed there.
Embrace Learning from the Best
Study the marketing strategies of top authors in your chosen market. Observe their presence in media, blogs, and podcasts and adapt these techniques to your strategy.
A well-placed Facebook ad targeting the right audience can make a significant impact, but ensure that your buy link is specific to the country you're advertising in.
Price it Right
Books are priced differently across various regions, and understanding local pricing strategies is crucial. While the U.S. market might range from $2.99 to $9.99 for eBooks, a similar pricing strategy might not work everywhere.
For instance, a book priced at $4.99 could be considered cheap in Germany but too costly in India. Market research will guide you towards setting a competitive price.
Translations and Global Marketing
If your book finds success in a particular market, consider translating it into the local language. Start small, with one book, to see if it captures the audience's interest. Professional translation or AI-assisted translation with local proofreading can ensure quality.
Remember to adapt your promotional strategies to each market, acknowledging differences such as Australia's reverse seasons compared to the U.S.
Monitor and Adapt
The StreetLib dashboard helps monitor your marketing results in near real-time, allowing quick insights into the effectiveness of your promotional efforts. Quick adjustments to your strategy can be made based on these findings, allowing you to optimize your campaigns effectively.
In summarizing, the path to global publishing is a journey of taking systematic steps, observing, learning, and adapting. Start with one market, and before you know it, your book will resonate with readers across the world.
Indie publishers, the global stage awaits you. Let’s get started.