Here is a list of websites to know when starting out as a self-publisher. Most of the sites listed are considered the biggest names in the industry. They are listed in a random order:
1. Google.com/AdSense: They run the affiliate programs of many websites. These websites, including BarnesAndNoble.com, require an account with Google AdSense if you want to get referral fees. Free.
2. LinkedIn.com: a way to get listed and make professional connections. Free.
3. WordPress.com: the biggest, easiest and best way to blog. Free. Also see WordPress.org
4. Scribd.com: Storage and sharing of PDF documents; and sale of documents and electronic books. Free.
5. SmashWords.com: great place to get involved in e-book publishing. Smashwords is an e-book publishing and distribution platform for e-book authors, publishers, and readers. We offer multi-format, DRM-free e-books, ready for immediate sampling and purchase, and readable on any electronic reading device.
6. Amazon.com Book Advantage Program: The largest and most important retail book site on the Internet. You are going to spend a lot of time learning about Amazon.
7. BarnesAndNoble.com: the second largest retail book site.
8. APSS: Publishers Association for Special Sales: helps authors find new sales opportunities to non-bookstore buyers.
9.iBooks.com: for the sales of your e-books.
10. BookWorks.com: the association of self-publishers.
11. YouTube.com: the most important place to show your videos. Free.
12. LightningSource.com: a POD source for print books and e-books; will manage your POD sales worldwide and distribute them to Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Considered a secret way to include your posts in the Ingram database.
13. BowkerLink.com: the source for purchasing and managing ISBN.
14. FreeBarCodes.com: a great place to create Bookland barcodes for your publications. Free.
15. Linda.com: the best place to learn about publishing software. I spend a great deal of time using this website.
16. MailChimp.com: mailing list management. Free up to a point.
17. EzineArticles.com: Authors can publish their articles in a searchable database for newsletter publishers to publish. Free.
18. PRLog.com: is an online press release delivery and distribution service. Free.
19. CreativeCommons.org: provides licenses that help the copyright owner share some rights with others. Free.
20. Gravatar.com: a website that is used to create your personal avatar that will appear wherever you post a comment. Free.
21. CafePress.com: a great website for creating t-shirts, hats, etc. with graphics and images that you create. Great way to add a little extra income to your book sales.
22. SPAWN.org: Network of Small Publishers, Artists and Writers. Great way to connect with your peers. A lot of useful information. Its mission is to provide education, information, resources, and a supportive networking environment for creative individuals and small business owners interested in the publishing process.
23. IBPA-online.org: Association of Independent Book Publishers. Great way to connect with your peers. A lot of useful information. IBPA is a trade association of independent publishers. Founded in 1983, it serves book, audio, and video publishers located in the United States and around the world.
24. SelfPublishingReview.com: is an online magazine dedicated to desktop publishing: book reviews, editorial reviews, interviews, news, opinion and how-tos.
Here are three more that you should also check out:
25. PayPal.com: a fast, easy and popular way to send and receive money.
26. CIPblock.com: the librarian and publisher Adrienne Bashista will create the CIP block for her books. The goal of Bashista is to provide quality CIP blocks to the independent publisher at a reasonable price while maintaining a high level of service and quality.
27. Shopify: the biggest, easiest and best way to sell your books through your own online store. No design skills are needed and can be easily customized.
