Posted on January 18, 2024 at 2:59 PM by Guest Author
If you have multiple titles or a series, bundling can be a great way to market and sell your books. Learn what an ebook bundle is, how to create one, and more.
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What Is an Ebook Bundle?
An ebook bundle (or box set) is a group of two or more ebooks packaged together in one file. The ebooks are typically related in some way; they may be part of a series, share a common theme, or have the same author. A bundle is also priced at a discount, so readers can get multiple titles for less than buying each individually.
In most cases, an ebook bundle includes existing titles. However, some authors and publishers use it as an opportunity to offer bonus materials that are only available with the bundle. This kind of exclusive content can make the bundle more appealing to readers.
What Are the Most Common Types of Bundles?
The great thing about bundling is that it’s an incredibly versatile tactic. As long as you present it to readers the right way, you can create virtually any kind of ebook bundle you want! With that said, below are the most common types of bundles.
COMPLETE SERIES BUNDLE
A complete series bundle includes all the ebooks in a series. This bundle allows readers to get the entire collection in one purchase. It’s one of the most popular choices for authors because the books in the series naturally go together.
Example: A fantasy series comprising multiple novels can be turned into a complete series bundle.
THEME-BASED BUNDLE
With this type of bundle, ebooks are grouped based on a shared theme or subject matter. It can be a highly specific theme or a broad one — it doesn’t matter. Either way, the ebook bundle provides readers with a curated collection of titles on a topic they’re interested in.
Example: A theme-based bundle could consist of a collection of parenting-related books or sweet romance novels.
AUTHOR COLLECTION BUNDLE
An author collection bundle consolidates the work of a specific author. It allows readers to access a selection of an author’s books in one package. Since the author is the link between the titles, they don’t need to have the same theme or even the same genre.
Example: Publishers associated with acclaimed authors often create a comprehensive collection of their works.
STARTER SERIES BUNDLE
A starter series bundle contains the first book (or two) from multiple series. It’s something authors can do after they’ve written a few series. This ebook bundle introduces readers to different series so they can determine which to purchase in full (if not all of them).
Example: A sci-fi author with three series could include book one of each in their starter series bundle.
MULTI-AUTHOR BUNDLE
This type of ebook bundle brings together titles from multiple authors. It’s a collaborative project that lets readers enjoy a variety of works. Often, the bundle consists of books in the same genre to create a cohesive collection.
Example: Authors who’ve written mysteries could create a bundle out of their individual ebooks.
Why It’s Worth Bundling Your Ebooks
It’s no wonder bundling is such a popular tactic. It benefits both authors and readers — a win-win scenario! But if you’re not convinced, here are some specific reasons it’s worth creating your own ebook bundle…
IT HELPS ATTRACT NEW READERS.
If you want to attract new readers with your work, developing an ebook bundle can help. Readers may be more inclined to try a series or explore a new genre if you present them with a collection. Also, including your work in a multi-author collection allows you to leverage your collaborators’ fan bases and reach a wider audience.
IT INCREASES YOUR SALES POTENTIAL.
Bundling offers a lot of sales potential. For instance, each bundle you create is a new product you can sell. You can expand your inventory and provide a variety of options just by bundling in different ways. On top of that, bundling encourages readers to make a larger purchase than they may otherwise.
IT BOOSTS YOUR VISIBILITY.
Standing out on platforms such as Amazon can be challenging, but bundling can give you a boost in visibility. You can list your bundle under other relevant categories you had to forgo with the individual books. You can also use more book keywords to your advantage. Further, you have more chances to appear in recommendations.
IT PROVIDES GREATER PERCEIVED VALUE.
Readers often perceive bundled collections as offering more value for their money. The ability to access multiple books for a lower overall price just makes sense. And the addition of bonus materials can make the purchase even more attractive.
IT’S A GREAT MARKETING TOOL.
An ebook bundle also offers more opportunities for marketing. You can experiment with different pricing, packaging, tactics, and even promotional platforms. And because the bundle costs more than a single book, you can get a higher return on your efforts.
IT CAN REVIVE BACKLIST TITLES.
If you’ve been struggling to market your backlist titles, bundling may be the perfect solution. You can create an author collection, starter series, or theme-based bundle that includes ebooks you’ve published previously. It can rejuvenate interest in older titles and promote sales of backlist books that may not get as much attention on their own.
IT CAN FOSTER READER LOYALTY.
Readers who have a positive experience with your bundle are more likely to buy books from you in the future. This repeat business is crucial for building long-term reader loyalty. Bundling can go a long way toward turning first-time readers into fans!
How to Create an Ebook Bundle
Creating an ebook bundle isn’t as difficult as you may think. Of course, bundles that include works by multiple authors are more complex. However, if you’re only compiling your own work, it’s pretty straightforward.
Here are the basic steps to follow:
1. DETERMINE WHICH TITLES TO INCLUDE.
First things first — settle on which titles to include in your bundle. Ideally, you should have at least 2-3 that share some kind of link. If you’re trying to drive awareness of your work, it’s best to start with a complete series, starter series, or a genre/theme-based bundle.
2. CREATE NEW CONTENT.
Your bundle is a new, standalone product, which means it requires new content. How much content is up to you. As mentioned previously, you can include bonus materials such as the following:
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Artwork
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Additional chapters
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Short stories
At the very least, you should create a new title page and table of contents.
3. DESIGN NEW COVER ART.
As part of your bundle, you also need new cover art. Best practices of book cover design still apply. That said, it’s important to inform readers that this is a collection of books. You can incorporate images of the existing book covers or design something brand new. Ideally, it should have the same look and feel as the books included and list the titles clearly.
4. PUT THE BUNDLE TOGETHER.
To build your ebook bundle, you must compile all the books (and any new content) into one file. Moreover, you need to format it correctly. There are many ebook formatting tools available, so choose the method that fits your needs and budget. A lot of authors recommend using Vellum for this purpose.
5. DECIDE ON PRICING.
Before making your bundle available, decide how you’ll price it. Keep in mind that it should be less than the total cost of all the books bought individually. Beyond that, it depends on your goal. For instance, Joanna Penn recommends doing a sale on your bundle if you want to increase ranking and get immediate downloads.
6. PUBLISH YOUR NEW TITLE.
Once your ebook bundle is ready, it’s time to publish it. The process may vary depending on which method you choose (e.g., Amazon self-publishing). But it generally looks the same as publishing an individual ebook.
Tip: Although ISBNs aren’t required for ebooks, they’re strongly recommended. Note that if you do use ISBNs for past titles, your bundle requires its own.
7. SET UP YOUR NEW PRODUCT.
Finally, you can set up your product for purchase. If you’re listing it on Amazon, make sure to cover all your bases. Just like with a single book, your bundle should have the following:
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Up to 7 reader-focused keywords
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Two relevant categories
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An image of the bundle
After that, you’re done! You can move forward and promote your bundle to readers.
Takeaway
If you’ve been thinking about creating an ebook bundle, it’s worth giving it a shot. There’s a lot to gain from bundling, including greater sales potential. Plus, it takes less effort than writing a new book from scratch. So, determine how you could create an enticing collection for readers and get to work!
(Did you know we accept bundles/box sets in our bargain ebooks newsletter? Set up a promo and share yours with our growing list of subscribers!)
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