Selling your ebook or audiobook directly to readers has never been easier…but what about print books?
For years, selling print books direct without becoming your own shipping house was a major challenge. Services like Lulu offered solutions but quickly became cost-prohibitive due to rising prices.
If you’ve been searching for a way to sell print books directly to your readers without handling shipping, you’re in luck! This post will guide you through the best current options, including Ingram’s Share and Sell Program and the powerful combination of BookVault and Shopify.
Rather watch the video? Here you go!
Table of Contents
Why Sell Print Books Direct?
Selling books directly to readers has significant advantages:
- Increased Profits: You earn more per book sold compared to third-party retailers.
- Customer Data: Gain valuable insights like email addresses to build relationships and drive repeat sales.
- Full Control: You control the sales process, including upsells or special offers.
If you’re running ads, selling direct also helps you track conversions—a huge challenge when directing traffic to Amazon or other retailers.
Option 1: Ingram’s Share and Sell Program
For a simple, no-hassle solution, Ingram’s Share and Sell Program is a great option. It:
- Handles printing, shipping, and taxes for you.
- Requires only a few minutes to set up.
However, the downside is that Ingram doesn’t share buyer information with you. If building an email list or setting up post-sale offers is important, this limitation might make it less ideal.
Option 2: BookVault and Shopify
If you want more control, consider combining BookVault with Shopify. While this setup takes a bit more effort, it’s a game-changer for authors who want to:
- Offer upsells or bundles after purchase.
- Build an email list with customer data.
- Automate the entire sales process, from purchase to fulfillment.
How to Set Up BookVault and Shopify
Follow these steps to create a seamless direct sales system for your print books:
Step 1: Set Up Accounts
Step 2: Add Your Book Titles in BookVault
- Log in to BookVault and click Add a Title.
- Next, you’ll need to input details like:
- Binding type
- Lamination
- Size
- Page count (color and mono pages)
- ISBN
- Note: There’s a $24.95 setup fee per title, and BookVault provides pricing for printing and shipping.
Step 3: Connect BookVault to Shopify
- Go to Shopify and log in to your account.
- Install the BookVault app and log in using your BookVault credentials.
- Navigate to your BookVault account, select the titles you want to sell, and click the cart icon to add them to your Shopify store.
Step 4: Customize Your Shopify Store
- Create product listings, including book descriptions, pricing, and variants (e.g., paperback or hardcover).
- If offering preorders, set the release date so books aren’t shipped until that date.
Want us to set this up for you? Click here.
Benefits of the BookVault-Shopify Integration
Once set up, this integration is incredibly streamlined:
- Automated Fulfillment: BookVault prints and ships books directly to customers.
- Global Reach: With print locations in the UK and the US, you can serve readers worldwide.
- Customizable Storefront: Shopify’s user-friendly interface allows you to create a beautiful, functional online store.
Key Tips for Success
- Set Up Payment Methods for auto-fulfillment.
- Add a credit card to BookVault for printing and shipping costs to be auto-charged and fulfilled whenever you get an order on your store.
- Link a bank account in Shopify to make sure you get paid for your book sales! It will also ask for your business information like Tax ID, business address, phone number, etc. So make sure you come prepared for this step.
- Track Sales and Adjust
- Use Shopify’s analytics to monitor performance over time. Testing different promotions will help you better understand your audience and what will make them want to buy your book!
- Try experimenting with pricing, bundles, or special offers to maximize revenue. Maybe offer some free resources as a thank you for purchasing directly from you.
Why We Recommend Shopify
After testing several platforms, Shopify stands out for its ease of use and smooth integration with BookVault. While BookVault offers integrations with other platforms, none are as seamless as Shopify.
At Book Launchers, we often create author websites on WordPress paired with Shopify stores, using BookVault as the print-on-demand supplier. This combination gives you a professional online presence and the ability to sell books directly without hassle.
Final Thoughts
Selling print books direct to readers doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you choose the simplicity of Ingram’s Share and Sell Program or the versatility of BookVault and Shopify, the key is to find a solution that fits your needs and goals.
Need help setting this up? We can create a custom Shopify store for you with BookVault integration—learn more at Book Launchers.
Ready to Learn More?
- Watch our video on the Ingram Share and Sell Program for a quick-start guide to selling print books direct.
- If you’re looking to sell ebooks easily, check out our tutorial on StoryOrigin’s direct sales tool.
Got questions about selling books direct? Let’s chat in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe to Book Launchers for more self-publishing tips and updates.
Thank you for reading! If you’re ready to take the next step with your non-fiction book—whether it’s writing, editing, publishing, or promoting—we’re here to help. Explore our expert services and join a thriving community of over 60,000 subscribers at Booklaunchers.tv! Let’s work together to make your book a success.
