One decision you’ll have to make when publishing your book online is the format you’ll use. There are plenty of options, but you need to consider what makes the most sense for your project.
Fortunately, there’s a formula you can follow to reach your perfect format. It starts with the length of the book. If you have a thick book that needs to be divided into smaller chunks, you might want to consider using some of those dividers you get in the office to make it easier for the reader. Ideally, you want the text to flow smoothly from one chapter to the next without any breaks in between.
Once you have your book in a reasonable length, you can move on to other factors like the style of the text. If you’re writing a more traditional book, you might want to consider using a more traditional style such as Chicago or Times New Roman. However, if your book is more of a presentation, you might want to use a typeface that’s more design-oriented. For instance, if you want to use this format to explain how to build a website, you could use a typeface that has more web 2.0 or design oriented features. At this point, you might be wondering what kind of platform you should use to publish your book. If so, continue reading.
E-books Versus Print On-Demand Books
While reading e-books doesn’t require as much work as reading a book from start to finish (you can usually just press a button to make the words appear on the screen), it has some perks that make it a desirable option for certain kinds of projects. First, you don’t need an actual bookshop to sell your e-books. You can have them distributed digitally, which means you don’t have to worry about keeping shelves stocked.
But a bigger perk is that you can charge whatever you want for e-books. The only limit is your imagination. You can set the price as high as you want ($5, $10, $15, etc.). With a print on-demand book, you have to follow certain rules set by your print publisher (often, these books are sold at a discounted price and can’t be bought outright for more than the discounted price).
If you’re looking to publish a business or technical book, you might want to consider using e-books. But if you’re looking to publish a more creative work or a fiction book, you might want to consider going the route of a print on-demand book.
Hybrid Books
A hybrid book is a combination of an e-book and a print on-demand book. This format allows you to retain the perks of both worlds. You get the flexibility of an e-book, with the ease of ordering print copies from a print on-demand provider.
You can see how hybrid books can be a great option for certain kinds of projects. You can get an e-book version of a book for $2.99, and then you get a print on-demand book for free. This can save you a lot of money and help you avoid shipping and storing costs.
Which One Should You Go For?
Now that you have your book planned out in terms of length and the general style of the text, it’s time to decide on a format. Take the time to do some research on what’s available out there and make a pros and cons list for each one.
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide which one to go for:
Print On-Demand Books
There are plenty of perks to having a print on-demand book. You don’t need a physical shop to sell them, and you can charge whatever you want for them (up to your print publisher’s limit).
This option has the most flexibility, and it makes sense for more creative projects. If you’re looking to publish a business or technical book, this might be a good option. But if you’re looking to publish a fiction or creative non-fiction book, go the route of a print on-demand book.
E-books
E-books don’t require as much work to publish as a print on-demand book. You don’t need a physical shop to sell them, and they can be sold and delivered at anytime. This makes them a popular option for certain kinds of projects.
If you’re looking to distribute your book worldwide, this option makes the most sense. You don’t need a publisher to do distribution for you, and you don’t need to find a physical shop to sell them. It’s all digital. So unless you have a really tight budget, go with this option.
Hybrid Books
If you have a limited budget or you’re looking to publish your book worldwide, consider using a hybrid book. You get the best of both worlds when it comes to flexibility and cost-effectiveness. You can have an e-book version of a book for $2.99, and then you get a print on-demand book for free. This can save you a lot of money and help you avoid shipping and storing costs.
This option can be a good choice if you want to retain the perks of both worlds while avoiding the extra costs. If you’re looking to publish a business or technical book, this might be a good option. But if you’re looking to publish a more creative work or a fiction book, go the route of a print on-demand book.
Final Takeaway
When it comes to publishing a book, you have a number of options. If you have a limited budget, you might want to consider using a hybrid book or an e-book. If you’re looking to publish internationally, consider using a print on-demand book. If you’re looking for a more traditional book experience, you might want to consider using a Chicago or Times New Roman typeface. Remember to format your book according to the instructions your publisher gave you. With a little bit of research, you’ll be able to find the perfect option for your needs.