Ok, so I do not really have 500 reasons. Or at least if I did I am not going to type them all out. I know what you are thinking...Smashwords? Really? What about Amazon?
Well, let's put it this way. When I started writing the only online POD was Lulu.com and they were fine, but if I had known about Createspace I probably would have chosen them over Lulu.com because I could have been selling paper copies all over by now due to the great pricing.
Then came eBooks. My friend's husband published a book on Amazon and I was like how did you make an eBook? Keep in mind at this time I had only purchased 1 or 2 eBooks. The boom had not started yet. Back then all there was for me was Amazon. I was happy to have my books on there and it saved me a ton of money in sending stuff to the Library of Congress. I was even happy to be in KDP Select for a while. Yet, it wasn't until last year that I even heard of Smashwords. When I started reviewing books I had a few people send me "coupons". I was like huh? Then a few authors I liked had free books and they sent me to Smashwords. I researched it a little more and I was like COOL! Formatting seemed impossible, but I was all ready to take my books there. Until someone sent me in the wrong direction. Steered me clear and talked me into staying in KDP Select when I really didn't want to. Ugh. So, I had to wait a few more months to get into Smashwords and I have never looked back....
1) Coupons--so easy to hand out for promos and you can easily change them or cancel them. Really helpful with book reviews.
2) A customer can get any kind of book type by buying the book once. Have an iPad? Kindle? Phone? Just buy the book once and you can get a copy of each kind for each device! Plus, if I update the book nobody has to email you or "reset" your downloads. The updates are there.
3) Distribution to all those other platforms. All you have to do is be accepted into the premium catalog--but if something goes wrong and you can't get in you still have the ability to sell to customers of all platforms. You just have to tell them.
Those are just some of the reasons I love Smashwords over other platforms :)
Well, let's put it this way. When I started writing the only online POD was Lulu.com and they were fine, but if I had known about Createspace I probably would have chosen them over Lulu.com because I could have been selling paper copies all over by now due to the great pricing.
Then came eBooks. My friend's husband published a book on Amazon and I was like how did you make an eBook? Keep in mind at this time I had only purchased 1 or 2 eBooks. The boom had not started yet. Back then all there was for me was Amazon. I was happy to have my books on there and it saved me a ton of money in sending stuff to the Library of Congress. I was even happy to be in KDP Select for a while. Yet, it wasn't until last year that I even heard of Smashwords. When I started reviewing books I had a few people send me "coupons". I was like huh? Then a few authors I liked had free books and they sent me to Smashwords. I researched it a little more and I was like COOL! Formatting seemed impossible, but I was all ready to take my books there. Until someone sent me in the wrong direction. Steered me clear and talked me into staying in KDP Select when I really didn't want to. Ugh. So, I had to wait a few more months to get into Smashwords and I have never looked back....
1) Coupons--so easy to hand out for promos and you can easily change them or cancel them. Really helpful with book reviews.
2) A customer can get any kind of book type by buying the book once. Have an iPad? Kindle? Phone? Just buy the book once and you can get a copy of each kind for each device! Plus, if I update the book nobody has to email you or "reset" your downloads. The updates are there.
3) Distribution to all those other platforms. All you have to do is be accepted into the premium catalog--but if something goes wrong and you can't get in you still have the ability to sell to customers of all platforms. You just have to tell them.
Those are just some of the reasons I love Smashwords over other platforms :)
