RavisRants.com asked:


I’m self-publishing my new book about to be published shortly through LightningSource. Here’s my dilemma as a self-published, self-marketing author:

1. Do I leave fulfillment to LightningSource/Amazon who will charge me 55% right off the top, leaving me with much smaller margins (the cost of the book will come from my share, the remaining 45%) and focus on just marketing the book? If I take this route, then I can’t do much for affiliates and Joint Venture partners, but reduces a lot of S&H overhead.

2. Do I do the fulfillment myself, selling the book for lower than Amazon, worrying about shipping and handling (especially international shipments, refunds, etc)? This approach will give help me pay decent amounts to affiliates, JV partners and bulk resellers, but increases my order- processing overhead.

What do you think?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Ravi Jayagopal
Author, “No Business Like E-Business”
http://www.NBLEB.com
Richard C,

The other problem with selling on Amazon is that Amazon will not share the buyer’s contact info with you (unless I’m wrong?).

So, I’m trying to figure out what’s the best way to market on Amazon, as well as on my web site - but the major problem of doing it on my web site is figuring out the shipping price for international buyers.

- Ravi
http://www.RavisRants.com

Gerald