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Publishing a single book or a series??

by information maven
6 replies
Hi Everyone,

I am not sure if this is the right section to post this question. If not will someone please advise!!

I need your advice. I am in the midst of preparing a book and am not sure if I should produce one major title or three smaller books in a series. My concern is that each of the smaller books will contain merely one third of the material I feel is necessary to cover the topic. Will this produce a backlash in that someone reading it might feel the subject material has not been fully covered. The last thing I want is to receive negative feedback on amazon. This is my first book and I want to ensure that the decisions taken will lead to quality reviews and sales. The reason why I am considering three titles in a series is to increase the revenue from the book and also to gain ground as a possible expert in the field. In other words, three titles in the one discipline would suggest that I am knowledgeable in the area. One title (even if a large book) will not have the same effect.

Any advice would be gratefully received
#book #publishing #series #single
  • Profile picture of the author CalinDan
    Hey,

    In terms of revenue I would advice going with 3 books combined in series. You can even issue a call to action at the end of every book for "joining the early bird list" for your next release.

    This will enrich your e-mail list and lead to quality reviews.

    If you can break the information in such way, go with the series.

    Cheers!
    Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author MatthewWoodward
    Just go with the 1 book - it should be the biggest, best, detailed & most authorative book on the subject. The one stop shop of information
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by information maven View Post

      Hi Everyone,

      I am not sure if this is the right section to post this question. If not will someone please advise!!

      I need your advice. I am in the midst of preparing a book and am not sure if I should produce one major title or three smaller books in a series. My concern is that each of the smaller books will contain merely one third of the material I feel is necessary to cover the topic. Will this produce a backlash in that someone reading it might feel the subject material has not been fully covered. The last thing I want is to receive negative feedback on amazon. This is my first book and I want to ensure that the decisions taken will lead to quality reviews and sales. The reason why I am considering three titles in a series is to increase the revenue from the book and also to gain ground as a possible expert in the field. In other words, three titles in the one discipline would suggest that I am knowledgeable in the area. One title (even if a large book) will not have the same effect.

      Any advice would be gratefully received
      I think you already know the answer, but if you want a tangential reference, look around the forum and see how people react to products which require additional purchases to become functional, especially as add-on sales or one-time offers (OTOs).

      While I appreciate your desire to increase revenue from having three titles, having three 'incomplete products' available might do your reputation more harm than good. Once published, look for ways to spin off chunks of the whole.

      To use the ever-popular golf example, your initial title might be "The Complete Guide to Learning Golf." You could spin off smaller volumes like "How to Drive Straight and Long" or "How to Putt Like a Pro", using much the same material and simply focusing on a smaller part of the whole.

      I don't know if that approach would fit your topic, but it's something to think about...
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    The real question to ask yourself is "Will my product help my customer come significantly closer to their desired outcome?" If that is the case with one part of the solution - then go ahead and produce your series, if the answer is no, then give them the more inclusive version.

    What I have found is that even if you give away a full system in one product today and haven't got a second book in mind, within weeks the feedback and work you do with your customers typically brings about ideas for the next one.

    Jeff
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  • Profile picture of the author SeoDemon
    3 books, is more beneficial to you, but you have to make each one of them worth it for the buyer;
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