Recently, there have been some appealing new options for independent authors looking to publish their books. One such option is to have books printed conventionally and ready for on-time book fulfillment, a great alternative to print on demand. This method allows for faster shipping of orders than waiting for books to be published in a queue with others. It allows authors to sell their books through various channels, including websites and physical stores. Utilizing a conventional printer and the flexibility of digital print run sizes can help control inventory investment, benefiting both the author and the reader.

Benchmarking in any business endeavor is always wise, and researching your competition is helpful. The key is to stay ahead of what others have done while remaining accessible to your target readers. Having printing options opens up more possibilities, such as adding details to the cover, using hardcover or spiral binding, and offering choices for the inside paper. These elements can enhance the perceived quality of your book for your customers and readers based on their preferences. On the other hand, print-on-demand often limits these options and choices, keeping you inside a cookie-cutter system.

Maintaining control is an advantage of book fulfillment, allowing authors to sell books through their website's eCommerce platform or the marketplaces of larger online retailers. Retaining customer data is another crucial advantage, as it can be helpful for future marketing efforts. Additionally, it opens opportunities to diversify into different merchandise categories that may interest your readers. It could include conventional items like caps and t-shirts or adding your name to other products related to your book's topic, providing a profitable option for many nonfiction writers for promoting their work.

Conventionally printing books in advance can help avoid shipping bottlenecks during peak demand periods. Delays in fulfilling orders from on-demand print queues can lead to frustrated customers. However, shipping orders promptly can significantly improve customer satisfaction and meet people's expectations. Making books available in chain and local bookstores can also boost sales. Self-published authors often collaborate with book distributors to get their books onto those stores' shelves. When your book is sold proactively, it can significantly increase the retail channels in which your book is sold.