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San Francisco Writers ConferenceFebruary 14, 2020

All Things Distribution

ROBIN CUTLER Founder/Director of IngramSpark

robin.cutler@ingramcontent.com

Follow Robin Cutler

@rcutlerspark

robincutlerspark

Follow IngramSpark

#ingramspark#ingramsparkauthor#ingramsparkbooks#SparkUnboxing

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Distribution = Reaching Readers• Author Direct Selling

– Author Website– Social Media – Expert Speaking, Events

• Wholesale Distribution• Full Service Distribution

40,000+ 30,000 TRADITIONAL

100,000+ INDIES14 Million+ Titles

CONTENT PROVIDERS

AuthorsPublishers

GLOBAL Wholesaler/Distributor of BooksWorld Leader in POD Technologies = Lightning Source

What is Ingram?

TRADEOnline

BookstoresLibraries

Consumers⇦⇨

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Ingram’s Market Access• 39,000 in our distribution channel • Specialty Wholesale (Spring Arbor)• Global & Regional Chain Bookstore• Independent Retailers• University Bookshops• Internet Retailers• Gift Retailers• Museum Shops• Public and School Libraries

40,000 channel partners• Internet Retailers (Amazon.com, Target, Walmart etc)• Big Box (Target, Walmart, Cosco etc)• Regional Chain Bookstore (B&N)• Independent Retailers• Specialty Wholesale (Spring Arbor—Christian stores)• University Bookshops• Gift stores• Museum Shops• Public and School Libraries

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Ingram’s Distribution Services• 39,000 in our distribution channel • Specialty Wholesale (Spring Arbor)• Global & Regional Chain Bookstore• Independent Retailers• University Bookshops• Internet Retailers• Gift Retailers• Museum Shops• Public and School Libraries

Wholesale Distribution• Content is made available to the trade through Ingram’s catalog• Provides transactions/services between trade and content providers• Nonexclusive• No active selling Full Distribution (Ingram Pub Services (IPS), Two Rivers, Consortium)• Content is exclusively presented and made available to the trade• Active selling through a sales force• Services offered like royalty management, fulfillment, warehousing, content

consolidation (book + plush toy) • Need sales history to enter

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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT Wholesale

• Distribution takes some time, depending on the distribution partner

• YOU still have to market your book so people know where to buy

• You tell retailers/libraries your book is available from Ingram

• Retailers and libraries prefer to order from Ingram

• Ingram is not directly selling your book into stores

• Changes to metadata, like pricing, are sent out in our data feeds but it’s up to our channel partners to update their sites

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What you get with IngramSpark• 39,000 in our distribution channel • Specialty Wholesale (Spring Arbor)• Global & Regional Chain Bookstore• Independent Retailers• University Bookshops• Internet Retailers• Gift Retailers• Museum Shops• Public and School Libraries

• Global wholesale distribution tied to POD • Full distribution available on selected, best-selling titles

• Print and dropship service• Multiple Formats

• Hardcover, paperback, ebook• Multiple trim sizes• Multiple b/w and color choices

• Personalized Printing on pages 1-2• Client Support• Affordable $49/title--one-time setup fee

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How it Works• 39,000 in our distribution channel • Specialty Wholesale (Spring Arbor)• Global & Regional Chain Bookstore• Independent Retailers• University Bookshops• Internet Retailers• Gift Retailers• Museum Shops• Public and School Libraries

• You setup your FINISHED book• Provide book metadata• Upload final digital files that meet our specs• You get an eproof—order a print copy

• Enable Distribution• Publisher Direct Orders

Manufactured in US, UK, AU and drop shipped wherever you wantYou are charged printing, shipping, taxes at time of order

• Channel Partner OrdersWe send metadata that populates on websites such as Ingram, AMZ, B&NWe receive order and manufacture and ship out (usually within 24 hours)You are paid for these orders 90 days later

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Things to Get Right Before Publishing• Do your market research on your topic • Know your reader/audience• Have a budget that you can afford • Work with professionals: editors; designer, marketers• Test drive the TITLE – pithy, original, memorable, relevant, unique. • Provide a clear idea for cover design.• Perfect the blurb – the all-important 150 words!• Get endorsements• Be interesting as an author/build your brand--photo/bio• Be social on social

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METADATA needed for distribution

1. Title--concise, unique2. Robust description, starting with a pitch3. Author/contributors listed on the cover—make sure they match4. Most specific subject categories BISAC/Thema5. Format (paperback, hardcover, eBook)6. Series: Use it if you have it7. Keywords should be relevant and non-fluff; 7-11 words or phrase; complementary to subject codes, consumer-focused that are used for search (not visible on page)8. Imprint (Publisher) Name

9. Author Biography, affiliations, location10. Reviews, endorsements, TOC11. Audience (Adult, YA, JUV—age, grade)12. ISBN’s (own your own) 13. Pricing in Global Markets (US, UK, EU, CA, AU)14. Print Attributes (size, # pages, paper color)15. Retail Discount and Returnability (nonreturnable, return and deliver, return and destroy)16. Publication Date and On Sale Date - Preorders

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Metadata --PricingCalculating Your ProfitKnow the print cost for your book. You will also need this information when deciding on the retail price. Use the online Publisher Compensation Calculator located under TOOLS at www.ingramspark.com

Example: $20 Retail price-53% wholesale discount$9.40 wholesale price (what the distribution partner pays us for the book)-$4.81 Print cost for 300 page 6x9 paperback$4.59 Compensation paid to you 90 days later

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Top 10 Selling Print Titles 2019

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New FeaturesSneak Peek

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Website Update –• Dashboard

Suggested Actions for Existing TitlesRelevant Content to Help You GrowTitles with Opportunities & Quick Links

• Title SetupFaster and Easier to Understand WorkflowCurrency Conversion & Built-in CalculatorGenre-Specific Recommendations

• New ServicesFree ISBNsIngramSpark Book Building ToolLook Inside the Book

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Build Your Interior• Choose Your Layout

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Build Your Interior• Use Our Text Editor

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Build Your Cover• Choose a Layout

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Build Your Cover• You’re in control!

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Let’s Get Social• 39,000 in our distribution channel • Specialty Wholesale (Spring Arbor)• Global & Regional Chain Bookstore• Independent Retailers• University Bookshops• Internet Retailers• Gift Retailers• Museum Shops• Public and School Libraries

Follow us on social media and tag usIngramSpark Day photos & videos!Instagram: @IngramSparkBooksFacebook & Twitter: @IngramSpark

Use our hashtag #IngramSparkAuthor

#SparkUnboxing

Free Title SetupThrough December 31, 2020

Use Code SPARKUS

Follow and Like us

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