There were times when people used to wait for ages to get their manuscripts approved from traditional publishing houses and then used to again go around bookstores and bookstalls to showcase their books, in both places, they had to pay huge sums- first to get their books approved and published, and then to ensure they're available in market.
Publishing a paperback copy of your book costs a lot, because a lot of tangible items are used, like paper, ink, cover. Also, in paperback publishing, most publishers print at least 10-20 copies in one go, not just one, so it's always an assembled costs.
However, with time we moved to a digital world. Earlier, people used to read real books, now most people, even avid readers find it easier to read more and more books online and on digital devices which is cheaper and more convenient.
Therefore, with time, it became necessary to keep an eye on the number of paperback books that were being printed, as the paperback market kept on diminishing with readers moving onto the digital platform.
As it requires costs to print tangible books and then not being able to sale it would be a total loss. In such cases, print on demand facility come into pictures. For example, let's say a publisher gets an order of 50 copies, then they'll publish the 50 copies in a day and send it. If they get a 100 copies, they can again publish it.
Sometimes, publishers also publish in lots and print the next lot only when the first one is used up.
Benefits of such publishing-
1. Cost Efficient- This method of self book publishing is very cost effective as in it you only have to pay for the number of copies you're actually selling and earning profits from.
2. Speed and Storage- Less copies takes lesser time to get printed and naturally a lesser place for storage.
3. Environment Friendly- There's no point in wasting paper in books which are not going to be read by anyone. No point in printing 1000 copies at once and selling a 100, resources being wasted in the other 900.
4. Order as Required- As soon as an order is placed, it's easier to print the books on actual order and sales and earning actual profits.
5. Never go out of stock- As we mentioned, as soon as the old pile is near it's end, a fresh lot can be sent for printing and this way the book never goes out of stock.
6. Update your book anytime- Without thousands of copies already published with errors, it's simple to update the book and then send it for fresh printing.
7. Spend your money wisely- Paperback printing needs more money and one should only spend money if they're getting something out of the deal. So in vest only what's required.
There are many sites in India which provide services of Print on Demand and stocking your limited number of books.
Amongst these sites, there's a newly launched writing, reading and publishing site known as "Shabd " which offers many amazing features like reading books, writing own books or short articles, getting their books published on demand and selling them online, even giving services for marketing and promotions like book reviewing and influencer marketing. Best thing? You can choose whether you want to read and publish your book for free or paid, gaining 80% of the royalties if you keep your book paid.
You can simply register yourself on Shabd, create an account and start writing right away. Once you're done with the book, you can publish the book, for free or paid, and can start promoting the URL of the book on all over social media to sell your book online for free. This "How to sell your book" idea is one of the best strategies present today in the digital world.
So what are you waiting for. If you're a writer waiting to get published, if you're an author looking for selling your book online , more info if you're ba reader wanting to read a good book, come and join us on Shabd today.