Why Sell eBooks In Multiple eBook Format
Selling eBook? Why not publishing them in multiple ebook formats?
Few years ago, when I tried buying my first batch of ebooks, the seller offer them in multiple format mostly in PDF and HTML format. Although, I told her that I’ll be using a repligo reader on my mobile phone. I have no choice but to install multiple mobile applications on my phone to read all the ebooks. And that’s how I challenged myself with mobile ebook conversion.
I firmly believed that PDF format is the commonly used eBook format, I mentioned that many times on this blog. Selling eBook in single format is NOT a good marketing strategy. Remember that books have evolve with our technology, same with the new generation of bookworms. There are potential costumers that feel unsatisfied with the available ebook format. Chances are, they will be needing help to convert the file to cater their needs. Time consuming and hassle on costumer’s side. If they are really eager to use them in format they need, they have these options:
- Look for conversion tool, if its not free, they will purchase it or use a trial version (if available). Additional expenses to costumer.
- Ask the publisher if they have other ebook format available. Sellers usually placed the available format, some are not.
- Hire for ebook conversion expert. Again, additional cost to buyer.
- The worst, drop the idea of ebook conversion and use the ebook reader for purchased ebook format. (Just like what I did on my first batch of ebooks)
See the dilemma? eBookworms could switch back to traditional books instead and hassle free on their part.
If you are the author or the publisher, catering to the needs of your market means additional income and book exposure. But ebook conversion takes time to know and experience. There are sites offering ebook conversion services in reasonable fee (I guess but I see some that for me is not affordable). The bottom line is the quality of the output. This is the reason why some are offering free sample for the first chapters.
Mobile ebook fanatics maybe a small percentage of your buyers but still if publisher didn’t cater to them (including me) could be lost potential income on their part. Always remember that eBookworm community is growing with mobile technology. Don’t be left behind.
Four Things To Know Before eBook Download
eBook is popular nowadays compared before ages ago. The good thing now, ebooks are searchable and downloadable in the internet. The problem will occur depends on the ebook you will download. What are the things to know before downloading an eBook?
- eBook format – Its common to regular websites specially those offering free ebook or blook in exchange of feed subscription that they didn’t indicate the ebook format. Most of them are publishing ebook in pdf format.
- ebook reader – Would you download every ebook you saw? You also have to take consideration the ebook reader you will use whether in handheld device or computer since ebook readers can read ebook format intended for that reader. I don’t like too much mobile application installed on my phone.
- free or not – Years ago, I was looking for a specific eBook requested by my fellow co-moblogger. I’ve downloaded the file in pdf format. I’ve converted it to prc format and check it on my mobile. The ebook is unfinished, sort of a teaser of the book. To be able to get the complete file, I have to pay a certain amount. I’ve wasted my time.
- conversion – You are lucky if you find the ebook with the preferred format. If its not, make sure that you know how to convert that ebook to your preferred format otherwise the only option you have is to install another ebook reader.
LIT A Book!
Would you lit a book? Nah! I’m just in a playful mood to make the title sounds unusual. Even if I consider myself as an eBook addict, I still do read paperbacks and I still keep my collection. Btw, the image at the right is courtesy of ala.org. Moving to a self hosted blog is not that easy, it took time to figure things out… plugins, settings, template customization etc. Actually, I’m not yet done. Anyway, I’ve been browsing my archives and realized that I still have several articles left unpost. Let me start with eBook formats.
Why PDF format Is The Commonly Asked eBook Format
I’ve came across with this article Why PDF Is Not An Ebook Format, the article was written 4 years ago. PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most commonly asked eBook format, in fact there are many websites that offers free PDF ebook downloads.
The article above said, “PDF is one of the reasons ebooks have been so slow to catch on with the majority of the reading public; readers that have tried reading PDF files on screen have concluded that ebooks are hard to read.” I disagree and agree.
I disagree that pdf is slow to catch readers, PDF is still the most requested eBook format primarily because mostly PDF readers and eBooks are free to download. A simple googling search, you’ll find a lot of PDF eBook download sites. If you happen to browse eBook forums, you’ll notice that many are still looking for PDF formats. PDF is electronic transmission format for paper documents, it is the perfect format for printing, if you’re still the conventional reader. I’ve encountered many such bookworms from my old mobile blog, they choosed to have it printed and read it the traditional way.
I agree that its really hard to read PDF on mobile but I still prefer PDF format as my source format for conversion. Converting and making it eye friendly on my mobile is my primary concern.
HTML eBook format on Mobile
There’s a lot of eBook files available on the web, its confusing to others understanding these formats and what mobile application to use. Sometimes, we came across with html formats. HTML or Hyper Text Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. In layman’s terms, it should be read on the web therefore its NOT an eBook format. There are lot of sites intended for online reading. There are ways to read it online, using GPRS is the most popular but it is costly. In the Philippines, it will cost you 0.15 cents/kb. Good for you if you have WIFI supported symbian phone.
If you downloaded a html file, it is possible to read them on symbian phones. I’m using Opera 8.65 in reading HTML file on my 6630 occasionally. You can open the html file through FExplorer. Here’s how to do it. After opening it to Opera, just add it to your opera bookmark for future reading. I don’t suggest to read HTML files on your phone frequently, Opera browser consumes a lot of memory in RAM (random access memory). The symbian system will close all applications including Opera, sometimes the phone will restart by itself. Here are the tips to avoid this:
- Limit yourself with 1-2 pages as possible
- Delete images included in the html file (do this using Fexplorer)
- Close all running application including FExplorer (after opening html file)
- Turn off images at the Opera settings
- Clear the cache of Opera before reading
- Restarting your phone before doing all these could help also
This is just an option if you’re in a hurry to read the file on your phone. For larger html files, do take some time for conversion. Take note that Opera is for browsing purposes only, its impossible to bookmark your eBook page or change the layout settings like what were doing to regular eBook readers.
