- Are you not getting enough of a paycheck
from KDP Select to justify ebook exclusivity on Amazon?
Would you like a Kindle publishing alternative
worthy of publishing your quality work, time, and attention?
Then, I think you'll want to hear my open thoughts
on one of the most notable aggregate
publishing platforms in Draft2Digital.
Today, I'm going to share my Draft2Digital review
and personal insights, so stick around.
Welcome to self-publishing with Dale,
and if you want to master DIY publishing,
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Have you published outside
of Kindle Direct Publishing or CreateSpace?
If so, where, and what have your results been so far?
Leave your open thoughts in the comments.
In previous videos, I've discussed
the Kindle publishing alternative in Draft2Digital,
but I've yet to seriously discuss the pros and cons
of this unique publishing platform.
Draft2Digital is an aggregate publishing platform,
meaning they distribute to a variety
of online retailers and subscription services.
Unlike Amazon KDP, when you publish through Draft2Digital,
your work has more distribution options
outside of one large online retailer.
Currently, Draft2Digital distributes to iBooks,
Barnes and Noble, Kobo and Kobo Plus,
Inktera, Scribd, 24symbols, Tolino, Playster,
and their latest acquisition, OverDrive.
According to their FAQ, Draft2Digital is currently pursuing
Ingram, Google Play, and Amazon.
If they're able to land any one
of those distribution avenues,
D2D could very well cement themselves
as the go to resource for self-publishers.
Now, what about the cost, royalties, and payouts?
Much like other self-publishing platforms,
it's free to start up an account and upload your content.
Draft2Digital merely collects a percentage
of your book sales, so they don't
get paid unless you get paid.
Their fee at most online retailers comes out
to about 10% of the retail price,
or technically 15% of net royalties.
You can expect to be paid every 30 days,
but only according to the individual online retailer.
In most instances, that payout doesn't come
until 60 days after the close of month.
They pay out by check, PayPal, Payoneer,
or direct deposit, whatever suits you.
I like this option, and believe Draft2Digital
to be the best when it comes to honoring all payment types.
And, quite possibly my favorite feature
of Draft2Digital is their auto-formatting software.
All you need to do is upload a document
with simple headings for chapters and normal print.
Then, they do all the heavy lifting.
They have additional options like
adding a title page, copyright, about the author,
email notifications, other works, and so much more.
The interior comes out near impeccable.
Here's the really cool feature, formatting for paperback.
Now don't get too excited.
Draft2Digital used to have distribution through Createspace
until Amazon came in and closed up that option.
However, they'll convert your manuscript
into a professional quality paperback
at no additional charge.
They claim the generated paperback is one size fits all,
but are confident it'll impress the majority of users.
The last and most recent notable feature
of Draft2Digital is their partnership
with audiobook distribution service Findaway Voices.
Normally if you use the audiobook distributor,
you'd have to pay a $49 setup cost.
However, if you distribute your book
through Draft2Digital, then that fee is waived.
I have limited experience on this avenue,
but anticipate using it in the near future
to share with you my results.
Now let's talk about the pros and cons of Draft2Digital.
The pros of D2D include an ever growing selection
of ebook distribution platforms
with Ingram, Google Play, and Amazon
on tap for adding to their choices.
There's no telling what this company will do
to change the landscape of this business.
An alternative audiobook distribution partnership.
Hey, are you tired of not having the opportunity
to distribute through Audiobook Creation Exchange?
Then, Findaway Voices might be for you.
And in my opinion, they have the best auto-formatting
software you can find on the internet.
Serious, anyone from the newbie
to the self-publishing veteran will be happy
with their interior formatting software.
In fact, hear what my old buddy
Tim Knox had to say about that.
And though I find it hard to find any fault,
here are the cons of Draft2Digital.
The lack of paperback distribution.
If D2D can nail down a paperback distributor,
then they will become the absolute best
self-publishing aggregate on the market today, bar none.
Sadly, they did have Createspace, but...
Minimum thresholds for certain payout options.
They hold your royalties until they add up
to a minimum threshold such as $25 for checks,
$20 for Payoneer, and $10 for international direct deposit.
Otherwise, they deliver payments once a month.
I use PayPal and have seen some considerably low payments,
so I can't fault them for that at all.
And lastly...
I'm looking for three issues with Draft2Digital
to round out my cons, but this time, I can't find any.
They have exemplary customer service,
they're super responsive on Twitter,
and Draft2Digital is proving to be the aggregate publisher
who truly has your best interests at heart.
What do you think about Draft2Digital?
Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Hey, if you enjoyed today's content,
then share it with at least one other person
who's into DIY publishing too.
'Til later, this has been self-publishing
with Dale, and I'll see you guys soon.