Four Benefits of Joining a Publishers Association
[Editor's note: If you're a first-time or experienced author looking at self-publishing for your book, then believe it or not a professional publishers association help. And, if you're a small publisher, this might be one of the best ways to get some good name recognition and credibility. While the author of this article focuses on the Christian market, what she says applies equally well to any market, for which you'll find a number of publishers associations.
As an author, the least expensive way for you to self-publish your book is to become your own publisher. As such, you can gain some additional name recognition and prominence by joining a publishing association. It's the same whether you're focused on self-publishing or you're a small publisher of many books. So, while you may not think this article applies to you, it may have more to do with your success as a writer than you think. For example, we belong to SPAN (Small Publishers Association. Enjoy - End of note]
"Why should I spend my money to just be part of a group?" This was the response I received when I asked my friend if she was planning on joining a professional organization that I belonged to. Sadly, many individuals hold this sentiment, seeing membership fees for a professional association as a waste of money.
Professional associations exist for just about any industry. Associations are formed for the purpose of collaborating and learning from one another with the sentiment that helping each other provides better results than each person just doing it alone. When you join a professional association you receive great benefits. However, it is up to each individual to take advantage of the benefits offered by a professional association.
Joining a publishers association is a wise decision for any publisher, even if you're a self-published author. Here are four fundamental benefits of joining a publishers association.
1. You gain respect in the book industry.
In the Christian marketplace, name recognition for creditability purposes is probably the most important reason for a new, small, or self-publisher to join a Christian publishers association. Christian retailers gain confidence in a new publisher's products when they know that publisher is a member of a Christian organization in the industry. Professional organizations hold their members to a high standard of conduct. Membership in a professional association says, "I am serious about my vocation."
Don't you prefer to go to a doctor who is a member of the American Medical Association? Knowing that your doctor belongs to a professional organization makes you feel more secure that she is serious about learning and knowing the latest medical techniques. As a publisher, your membership in a publishers association brings you the same professional respect in the book industry. Book reviews are an essential ingredient in promoting a new title.
Membership in a publishers association lends your publishing company credibility with book review sources. One example of this is The Midwest Book Review. This review source specializes in reviewing titles from small publishers, self-publishers, academic publishers, and specialty presses. However, they give priority consideration to those titles from publishers that belong to a publishers association.
2. You receive cutting-edge information.
Publishers associations provide their members with some form of regular communication (usually a newsletter) containing the latest developments and resources in the publishing industry. Many hold seminars and conferences to further their members' education and expertise in publishing issues. The information you glean from belonging to a publishers association can improve your business and bring you more success in your endeavors. Knowing what is currently working for other publishers helps you learn what to do to sell more copies of your books.
3. You save money.
Joining a professional publishers association costs money. However, if you take advantage of the many membership benefits these associations offer (which can include co-op marketing opportunities, discounts on shipping costs, health insurance programs for self-employed individuals, and liability insurance), you will save money in the long run. Some small publishers claim that the money they have saved on a freight discount benefit alone more than pays for their annual membership fees in one publishers association.
4. Doors of opportunity open for you.
Professional publishers associations provide many opportunities for you to network with other professionals in the book industry. Aside from the aforementioned seminars or conferences to attend, some associations also provide an online discussion group for member publishers. These opportunities allow you not only to find out what is working for other publishers but they lend you a venue to share your expertise.
Networking in this manner can also lead to other prospects such as a co-publishing agreement. Displaying your titles at a trade convention can lead to great deals. While generally a costly endeavor, some publishers associations provide opportunities for you to affordably display your titles. Some small publishers have sold international rights for their books through displaying titles at the Frankfurt Book Fair through a publishers association.
There are currently five main professional publisher's associations for the small and self-publisher.
Catholic Book Publishers Association (CBPA)
CBPA is for publishers publishing materials for the Catholic marketplace. While not exclusively for the small publisher, they do have a sliding membership fee based on the size of the publishing house. CBPA produces a newsletter, provides co-op marketing opportunities, sponsors seminars, and gives publisher service awards.
www.cbpa.org
Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA)
CSPA is a newer organization for small and self-publishers publishing materials for the Christian marketplace. CSPA produces an e-newsletter, offers co-op advertising, exhibits members' books at Christian trade conventions, and offers distribution and credit card payment processing programs for their members.
www.christianpublishers.net
Publishers Marketing Association (PMA)
PMA publishes a newsletter, sponsors seminars, provides co-op promotional mailings, exhibits members' books at trade conventions, and sponsors the annual Benjamin Franklin Awards for the best books of the year published by independent publishers.
www.pma-online.org
Small Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network (SPAWN)
SPAWN provides opportunities for everyone involved in publishing. SPAWN encourages the exchange of ideas, information, and other mutual benefits.
www.spawn.org
Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN)
SPAN publishes a newsletter, offers co-op advertising and display opportunities, sponsors an annual conference, and hosts an online discussion group for small and self-publishers.
www.spannet.org
You don't have to limit yourself to one. Check each one of these publishers associations out and join as many of them as you feel will gain you optimal information and the opportunities you need to be as successful as you desire in your publishing endeavors. Once you join a publishers association, make sure to include your membership in that association on your letterhead, your website, your press releases, and all your advertising materials to take full advantage of the name recognition and respect your membership offers you.
Sarah Bolme is the owner of CREST Publications (www.crestpub.com) and the director of Christian Small Publishers Association (www.christianpublishers.net). You can contact Sarah at
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Sarah's newest book, Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace, can be found at www.marketingchristianbooks.com. ©2007
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