As a self-publishing author, you may have come across Draft2Digital, a popular eBook distribution platform. In this blog post, I’ll share my findings on the advantages and disadvantages of using Draft2Digital for self-publishing, as well as some positive and critical reviews found on the internet. We will also provide a brief history of the company.
Draft2Digital was founded with the aim of simplifying the self-publishing process for authors. They specialize in eBook distribution and offer a user-friendly approach to formatting and publishing. Their pricing model is author-friendly, taking only 10% of the retail price of each book sale, with no additional fees or service packages. Keep in mind that Draft2Digital is not a done-for-you self-publishing option. If you want to publish professional through the platform, you should have your book professionally edited elsewhere before submitting to Draft2Digital. You’ll also need to get your book cover designed by professional elsewhere.
Advantages of Draft2Digital:
- Wide distribution: Draft2Digital’s biggest selling point is its wide distribution network, allowing authors to reach a larger audience by selling their books through multiple retailers.
- User-friendly interface: The platform is known for its excellent customer service and easy-to-use interface, making it a popular choice among self-publishing authors.
- Free formatting and conversion tools: Draft2Digital offers free formatting and conversion tools, allowing authors to create professional-looking eBooks without any additional costs.
- Promotional tools: Draft2Digital provides authors with various promotional tools, such as Books2Read, New Release Notifications, Universal Book Links (UBLs), B2R Author Pages, and B2R Book Tabs.
Disadvantages of Draft2Digital:
- Not suitable for Amazon publishing: Draft2Digital is not the best option for authors who want to publish exclusively on Amazon.
- No hard copies: Draft2Digital specializes in eBook services and does not offer print-on-demand services. This is an issue because the book market is still predominantly print-based. However, they do provide free paperback-ready PDF files that authors can take to any print-on-demand service of their choice.
- Draft2Digital is in the middle of merging with Smashwords. Many users are reporting issues with this transition. Any time there’s a merging of two large companies authors should expect delays, confusion and hiccups. I’ve read that the companies are collectively dealing with about 800,000 ebooks. What could go wrong?
Positive Reviews:
Many authors appreciate Draft2Digital’s user-friendly approach and wide distribution network. The platform’s free formatting and conversion tools are also praised for their ease of use and professional results. Draft2Digital’s promotional tools, such as Books2Read and UBLs, are also well-received by authors.
Critical Reviews:
Some authors have expressed concerns about Draft2Digital’s unsuitability for Amazon publishing, as the platform is not optimized for exclusive Amazon distribution. Additionally, the lack of print-on-demand services may be a drawback for authors who want to publish both eBooks and hard copies.
Draft2Digital has a poor rating on Trustpilot, with a 2.2 out of 5 stars rating. As of today, 72% of the reviews on that platform are 1-star reviews. The company holds an A- rating from the BBB, with several complaints.
In conclusion, Draft2Digital offers a user-friendly and cost-effective solution for self-publishing authors who want to distribute their eBooks widely. However, it may not be the best option for those who want to publish exclusively on Amazon or require print-on-demand services as well as hand-holding during the publishing process. It is very much a do-it-yourself option. As with any self-publishing platform, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons and consider your specific needs before making a decision.
Looking for A Done-For-You Self-Publishing Platform?
MindStir Media is a done-for-you platform alternative to Draft2Digital. MindStir handles all of the self-publishing processes for you, including editing, book design, book printing, ebook conversion, distribution, marketing and publicity. You can also use MindStir Media to get a celebrity endorsement for your book.
Draft2Digital Reviews