big publisher / small publisher
DESCRIPTION
Looking at the differences between how large and small publishers operate in the digital space, and what small and independent publishers can do to compete.TRANSCRIPT
Big publisher / Small publisher
Reasons not to panic in the age of the digital megacorp
Strategy - Workflow- Systematisation - Market Clout - Recognition - Bargaining Power-
Budgets - Branding
Big Boys Toys ? Corporate Perks?
Yeah. Maybe.
But indies have...
Nimbleness – Bespoke service – Risk taking attitude – Commercial potential – Relationships – Lower
overheads – Management flexibility
We shouldn’t focus on just the big sales slots and big software deals
Doing that will get us nowhere and recreates the problems of print
We should make the most
of good relationships
• We should get in first• Big publishers have more scepticism but
good things start somewhere• In digital there is still room for the quick
win – new companies need books, ideas, help
• Sometimes action not rationalisation is needed
We need to fight hard for everything and work
together
• Everyone says get close to your readers, but what does this mean?
• Meet them• Chat to them on the internet• Ask them for feedback • Ask them for help• Most publishers pay this lip service, but
not many do it
Getting online real estate and attention is the biggest challenge
for indie ebooks
Sometimes we like to think we are more creative than the big corporates
This isn’t the case in digital They do have something we lack....
Bureaucracy
Five Practical Pointers
1. Do things in bursts
2. Speak to your authors
3. Make life easy from the beginning
4. Don’t let things get bogged down
5. Get fully involved
Things are changing:
IP – Formats – Platforms- Products – Consumers – Business models
Just remember: play to your strengths and don’t panic