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The publishing world and the blogosphere is full of the reports that Seth Godin, 12 x NY bestselling author of marketing books, has given up on traditional publishing. Here is his blog post outlining his move to digital publishing as it allows rapid spreading of ideas direct to the customer.
In this video, I explain what this means for you and I as authors, and also how it is impacting the opinions of the publishing industry. (Main points below if you want to read)
In the video I explain:
- Seth Godin is moving on from traditional publishing and focusing on publishing his ideas to his customers directly through more digital media including ebooks, videos, blog posts and more. But not print books. He knows his customers (438,000 followers of his blog!) so he can sell direct to them.
- What it means to you: Indie (independent) publishing is becoming more acceptable to the mainstream. When big-name authors go that way, then there is no longer a stigma attached. I have seen some bloggers talking about changing their minds already.
- Vocalization of issues by someone who publishers respect will benefit all of us e.g. time from idea to market needs to shrink. For fiction, stories are perennial so this doesn't matter so much, but it definitely makes a difference for non-fiction.
- Seth has made this move because he can market direct to his customers and he has a global fan-base from his blog, his books and his ideas worldwide. He has been blogging every day for years. This makes it very clear that authors need to build their platform regardless of whether they want a publishing deal or to go indie. Either way, you need to market to customers. [Ideas on platform building here]
Here are 2 other articles on the matter from blogs I read religiously.
- Publishing expert Mike Shatzkin talks about Seth's move plus JA Konrath and how the industry is changing
- Here is a great, in-depth look at the issue from Tim Ferriss, author of ‘The 4 Hour Work Week'
[…] When Seth Godin left traditional publishing I thought the balance was tipping, but now I really think self-publishing has hit the mainstream. When authors of Guy’s stature do it their own way, that is something worth paying attention to. It means the consciousness has shifted amongst the thought leaders, and that can only be a good thing. […]