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This first scenario is a basic, low-cost approach based on the following example:
Determine who will be interested in your book. Descendants and current local residents are a good audience. A fairly large contingent are simply interested in history of the area. They are the ones who are stopping at the local museum to see how the area developed as well as those looking for gifts. Ordering 100 to 250 books would be a good starting point.
Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Priced at $10 to $12, this would not be a major purchase. In comparison to books of similar size and page count this price is somewhat high—but remember the uniqueness of this book’s subject matter will allow for a slightly higher price. For our example, we will set the cover price at $10.
In order to keep the selling price attractive, this type of book needs to have a relatively low production cost. Keep costs in line by:
Additionally, we suggest taking advantage of our marketing package for $150.
The museums we have talked to will require a 40% discount from your cover price. In this example, with a $10 cover price, a 40% discount would require selling to a museum at $6 each. Not the greatest margin for a small print run but some of your books can be sold through your web page at full cover price of $10 allowing for a more desirable profit margin. Let’s say half are sold at the museum and half are sold through your web page (see page 20). That would give you an average selling price of $8 per book. The graph illustrates the investment (including our marketing package), the production costs and the potential profit based on three different quantities.
This book should provide some modest returns as well as satisfaction and compliments from others about your efforts in compiling this special history book. We think with this limited market and interest, keeping your costs down is important. When estimating quantities to print, work with real, not overly optimistic numbers of books you can sell. This book could be enhanced with hardcover binding, color interior pages, custom cover and text design, but the price you would need to charge for this would restrict your already-limited market.
The reprint pricing does not include marketing. The initial marketing package is valid for 18 months. After that period you can renew the marketing package for $50 per year, which includes web page upkeep as well as a place for your book in our history book catalog. (Pricing shown is current as of 03/16, subject to change without notice).
