Looking at the differences between how large and small publishers operate in the digital space, and what small and independent publishers can do to compete.

1. Big publisher / Small publisher Reasons not to panic in the age of the digital megacorp

2. Strategy - Workflow- Systematisation - Market Clout - Recognition - Bargaining Power- Budgets - Branding

3. Big Boys Toys ? Corporate Perks?

4. Yeah. Maybe. But indies have...

5. Nimbleness – Bespoke service – Risk taking attitude – Commercial potential – Relationships – Lower overheads – Management flexibility

6. We shouldn’t focus on just the big sales slots and big software deals Doing that will get us nowhere and recreates the problems of print

7. We should make the most of good relationships

8. We should get in first Big publishers have more scepticism but good things start somewhere In digital there is still room for the quick win – new companies need books, ideas, help Sometimes action not rationalisation is needed

9. We need to fight hard for everything and work together

10. Everyone says get close to your readers, but what does this mean? Meet them Chat to them on the internet Ask them for feedback Ask them for help Most publishers pay this lip service, but not many do it

11. Getting online real estate and attention is the biggest challenge for indie ebooks

12. Sometimes we like to think we are more creative than the big corporates This isn’t the case in digital They do have something we lack....

13. Bureaucracy

14. Five Practical Pointers

15. 1. Do things in bursts

16. 2. Speak to your authors

17. 3.Make life easy from the beginning

18. 4. Don’t let things get bogged down

19. 5. Get fully involved

20. Things are changing: IP – Formats – Platforms- Products – Consumers – Business models

21. Just remember: play to your strengths and don’t panic

22. Michael Bhaskar Digital Publishing Manager Profile Books michael@profilebooks.com