Independent Publishers - Know When to Outsource Your Order Fulfillment

Shift in Focus:

At some point in the process, many self -published authors and independent publishers begin to feel a shift in their business. Their business changes from an intellectual labor of love to a task of physical labor. Many wonder how this could have happened, After all, there were no landmark events that changed the focus of the business, yet something is undeniably different.

Time to reassess:

As an independent publishing business grows, so too, do the tasks that come with daily administration of the business. When all the demands on your time no longer allow you to focus on the primary business of writing and publishing, it is time to reassess.

Consider your options:

• Does in-house order fulfillment make sense to the small independent publisher?
• Is it time to hire and train a staff to handle customer service and shipping?
• Do you know the most efficient and most economical way to ship orders?
• Do you have warehousing facilities?
• Where do you want to invest your money? In publishing or in warehousing facilities?
• Are you prepared to increase your space as your business prospers?
• Can you effectively manage inventory control as your business grows?

For some independent publishers, in-house order fulfillment makes sense. Their volume of orders and number of publications warrant the expense of hiring on-site staff to handle shipping of orders and investing in warehousing space as the company grows.

But for many independent publishers, focusing entirely on writing and publishing is what it is all about. They want to concentrate on what they do best! Leaving the administrative and business side of internet sales to an outside fulfillment company makes more sense.

Whatever the decision may be, make sure you ask questions, seek answers and be well informed.

Sue Leonard is owner of Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC, which specializes in e-commerce for independently published books, videos, DVDs, CDs and journals. To learn more, visit http://www.cornerstonefulfillmentservice.com and visit the company blog http://allthingsfulfilling.wordpress.com