1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:00,740 ISBNs, 2 00:00:01,599 --> 00:00:04,240 a secret code that unlocks the doors to 3 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:04,740 literary 4 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:05,700 success 5 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:08,419 or just a string of meaningless numbers. 6 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:09,460 Today, 7 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,059 we're cracking the code on these mysterious identifiers 8 00:00:13,955 --> 00:00:16,114 and why they matter more than you might 9 00:00:16,114 --> 00:00:18,295 think for self published authors. 10 00:00:19,074 --> 00:00:21,095 Oh, that's an intriguing way to put it. 11 00:00:21,315 --> 00:00:23,154 I've always wondered about those numbers on the 12 00:00:23,154 --> 00:00:23,975 back of books. 13 00:00:24,435 --> 00:00:25,975 What exactly are ISBNs, 14 00:00:26,434 --> 00:00:28,135 and why should authors care? 15 00:00:28,769 --> 00:00:32,390 Well, ISBN stands for international standard book number. 16 00:00:32,770 --> 00:00:33,590 It's essentially 17 00:00:34,210 --> 00:00:36,310 a unique identifier for books 18 00:00:36,690 --> 00:00:38,310 and other published media. 19 00:00:38,770 --> 00:00:40,630 Think of it as a book's fingerprint. 20 00:00:41,090 --> 00:00:43,270 No two books can have the same ISBN. 21 00:00:43,905 --> 00:00:46,064 And here's the kicker, they're not just random 22 00:00:46,064 --> 00:00:48,164 digits. Each part of the ISBN 23 00:00:48,625 --> 00:00:52,244 actually contains specific infra information about the book. 24 00:00:53,265 --> 00:00:55,104 I had no idea there was so much 25 00:00:55,104 --> 00:00:56,484 packed into those numbers. 26 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:58,659 Can you break it down for us? 27 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:00,260 Sure thing. 28 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:02,100 Let's take a typical ISBN 29 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:04,180 9 and 78, 12345,67890. 30 00:01:08,719 --> 00:01:10,099 The first part, 978, 31 00:01:10,754 --> 00:01:13,075 is the prefix that indicates it's part of 32 00:01:13,075 --> 00:01:14,215 the ISBN system. 33 00:01:14,594 --> 00:01:17,334 Then you have the registration group, which identifies 34 00:01:17,474 --> 00:01:19,174 the country or region of publication. 35 00:01:19,795 --> 00:01:21,814 After that comes the registrant element 36 00:01:22,114 --> 00:01:23,894 pointing to the specific publisher, 37 00:01:24,290 --> 00:01:27,090 followed by the publication element that identifies the 38 00:01:27,090 --> 00:01:29,189 title and format. And finally, 39 00:01:29,729 --> 00:01:32,290 there's a check digit that validates the accuracy 40 00:01:32,290 --> 00:01:33,109 of the ISBN. 41 00:01:33,969 --> 00:01:35,109 Wow. That's fascinating. 42 00:01:35,890 --> 00:01:36,254 So, 43 00:01:36,814 --> 00:01:39,295 why are these ISBNs so crucial for self 44 00:01:39,295 --> 00:01:40,194 published authors? 45 00:01:40,974 --> 00:01:43,614 Great question. ISBNs are more than just a 46 00:01:43,614 --> 00:01:46,334 requirement. They're a powerful tool in an author's 47 00:01:46,334 --> 00:01:49,280 arsenal. 1st and foremost, they lend legitimacy 48 00:01:49,659 --> 00:01:51,520 and professionalism to your work. 49 00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:54,400 Having an ISBN signals to booksellers, 50 00:01:54,700 --> 00:01:57,840 libraries, and readers that your book is professionally 51 00:01:57,980 --> 00:02:00,060 produced. It puts you on the same playing 52 00:02:00,060 --> 00:02:02,000 field as traditionally published books. 53 00:02:02,575 --> 00:02:04,655 So it's like a stamp of approval for 54 00:02:04,655 --> 00:02:05,395 your book? 55 00:02:06,334 --> 00:02:06,834 Exactly. 56 00:02:07,375 --> 00:02:09,074 But it's not just about perception. 57 00:02:09,615 --> 00:02:12,915 ISBNs are actually required for many distribution channels. 58 00:02:13,294 --> 00:02:16,335 Most major distributors and retailers won't even accept 59 00:02:16,335 --> 00:02:18,430 a book without a unique ISBN. 60 00:02:18,969 --> 00:02:21,289 And here's something interesting. You need a separate 61 00:02:21,289 --> 00:02:24,090 ISBN for every edition and format of your 62 00:02:24,090 --> 00:02:26,590 book. So if you are publishing a paperback, 63 00:02:26,889 --> 00:02:29,610 an ebook, and a hardcover of the same 64 00:02:29,610 --> 00:02:32,669 title, each one needs its own unique ISBN. 65 00:02:33,425 --> 00:02:34,485 That makes sense. 66 00:02:34,944 --> 00:02:36,465 I can see how that would be important 67 00:02:36,465 --> 00:02:37,525 for tracking sales 68 00:02:37,825 --> 00:02:39,745 and making sure readers are getting the correct 69 00:02:39,745 --> 00:02:40,805 version of the book. 70 00:02:41,425 --> 00:02:41,905 But, 71 00:02:42,544 --> 00:02:44,625 how does an author actually go about getting 72 00:02:44,625 --> 00:02:45,365 an ISBN? 73 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:47,740 Well, there are a few different ways. 74 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:51,099 The most straightforward method is to buy directly 75 00:02:51,319 --> 00:02:53,500 from the official ISBN agency 76 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:54,700 in your region. 77 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,040 In the United States, that's Bauka. In the 78 00:02:58,040 --> 00:02:59,340 UK, it's Nielsen. 79 00:03:00,205 --> 00:03:02,784 You create an account with the agency, purchase 80 00:03:02,925 --> 00:03:03,425 ISBNs, 81 00:03:04,364 --> 00:03:07,645 either individually or in bulk, and then assign 82 00:03:07,645 --> 00:03:10,525 the ISBN to your book and register its 83 00:03:10,525 --> 00:03:11,025 metadata. 84 00:03:12,205 --> 00:03:13,264 Sounds simple enough, 85 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:16,139 but I'm guessing there's a cost involved? 86 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,000 You're right about that. In the US, for 87 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:20,860 example, a single ISBN 88 00:03:21,319 --> 00:03:22,460 costs about a $125. 89 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,240 It can be a bit pricey, especially if 90 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:27,319 you're just starting out. But here's a pro 91 00:03:27,319 --> 00:03:29,905 tip. Buying in bulk can significantly 92 00:03:30,205 --> 00:03:31,745 reduce the cost per ISBN. 93 00:03:32,364 --> 00:03:34,685 So if you're planning to publish multiple books 94 00:03:34,685 --> 00:03:35,344 or editions, 95 00:03:35,724 --> 00:03:37,884 it might be worth considering. That's good to 96 00:03:37,884 --> 00:03:40,525 know. Are there any more budget friendly options 97 00:03:40,525 --> 00:03:42,364 for authors who might be working with a 98 00:03:42,364 --> 00:03:43,185 tighter budget? 99 00:03:43,770 --> 00:03:44,270 Absolutely. 100 00:03:45,050 --> 00:03:47,550 Some self publishing platforms like Amazon, 101 00:03:48,009 --> 00:03:49,469 KDP, or Draft2Digital 102 00:03:50,090 --> 00:03:51,389 offer free ISBNs 103 00:03:51,689 --> 00:03:54,030 to authors who publish through them. 104 00:03:54,409 --> 00:03:55,709 It's a great option 105 00:03:56,009 --> 00:03:56,669 for authors 106 00:03:57,075 --> 00:03:58,055 who are prioritizing 107 00:03:58,514 --> 00:04:00,135 convenience and cost savings, 108 00:04:00,594 --> 00:04:03,155 especially if they're just publishing a single book 109 00:04:03,155 --> 00:04:03,814 or ebook. 110 00:04:04,514 --> 00:04:06,915 Free sounds great, but I'm guessing there's a 111 00:04:06,915 --> 00:04:07,415 catch? 112 00:04:08,115 --> 00:04:10,375 You're right. There is a trade off. 113 00:04:10,849 --> 00:04:13,590 The main drawback is that you don't actually 114 00:04:13,650 --> 00:04:14,790 own the ISBN. 115 00:04:15,650 --> 00:04:18,290 It belongs to the platform, which means you 116 00:04:18,290 --> 00:04:20,230 can't use it outside the ecosystem. 117 00:04:21,009 --> 00:04:21,509 Also, 118 00:04:21,970 --> 00:04:23,990 the platform's name, not yours, 119 00:04:24,375 --> 00:04:25,595 appears as the publisher. 120 00:04:26,134 --> 00:04:28,535 So it's really a question of weighing control 121 00:04:28,535 --> 00:04:29,355 against cost. 122 00:04:30,535 --> 00:04:32,955 That's definitely something for authors to consider. 123 00:04:33,574 --> 00:04:35,654 What about working with a publishing house or 124 00:04:35,654 --> 00:04:36,634 a small press? 125 00:04:37,139 --> 00:04:38,600 Do they handle ISBNs? 126 00:04:40,019 --> 00:04:41,699 They do, and it can be a great 127 00:04:41,699 --> 00:04:42,839 option for some 128 00:04:43,379 --> 00:04:46,180 authors. If you're working with a publisher or 129 00:04:46,180 --> 00:04:49,160 small press, they often provide an ISBN 130 00:04:49,620 --> 00:04:51,079 as part of their services. 131 00:04:51,805 --> 00:04:54,845 They'll handle the whole registration process for you, 132 00:04:54,845 --> 00:04:57,004 which can be a big relief if you're 133 00:04:57,004 --> 00:04:59,985 feeling overwhelmed by all the technical aspects. 134 00:05:00,524 --> 00:05:01,884 That sounds like it could take a lot 135 00:05:01,884 --> 00:05:03,504 of stress off an author's plate, 136 00:05:03,949 --> 00:05:06,110 but I'm guessing there are some considerations there 137 00:05:06,110 --> 00:05:06,610 too. 138 00:05:07,389 --> 00:05:08,529 You're spot on. 139 00:05:09,149 --> 00:05:10,769 The main thing to keep in mind 140 00:05:11,069 --> 00:05:13,250 is that the publisher owns the ISBN 141 00:05:13,629 --> 00:05:15,870 in this case, meaning they're listed as the 142 00:05:15,870 --> 00:05:18,769 publisher of record. And depending on the service, 143 00:05:19,125 --> 00:05:21,764 there might be fees involved. So, like with 144 00:05:21,764 --> 00:05:23,944 the free ISBNs from platforms, 145 00:05:24,404 --> 00:05:27,205 you're trading some control for conveniences. So it 146 00:05:27,205 --> 00:05:29,225 really comes down to what an author's priorities 147 00:05:29,285 --> 00:05:29,785 are, 148 00:05:30,085 --> 00:05:31,705 control, cost, or convenience. 149 00:05:32,370 --> 00:05:34,949 Each option has its pros and cons. Exactly. 150 00:05:35,649 --> 00:05:37,670 If you want full control and flexibility, 151 00:05:38,529 --> 00:05:39,910 buying your own ISBN 152 00:05:40,449 --> 00:05:43,029 is the best choice. If cost or simplicity 153 00:05:43,490 --> 00:05:44,870 is your main priority, 154 00:05:45,569 --> 00:05:46,550 a free ISBN 155 00:05:47,024 --> 00:05:49,665 from a platform might suffice. And if you 156 00:05:49,665 --> 00:05:51,745 prefer a hands off approach and are working 157 00:05:51,745 --> 00:05:52,485 with a publisher, 158 00:05:52,865 --> 00:05:54,704 letting them manage it could be the way 159 00:05:54,704 --> 00:05:56,704 to go. You know, all this talk about 160 00:05:56,704 --> 00:05:58,404 ISBNs and their importance 161 00:05:58,785 --> 00:05:59,685 makes me wonder, 162 00:06:00,050 --> 00:06:02,449 are there any best practices that self published 163 00:06:02,449 --> 00:06:04,290 authors should keep in mind when it comes 164 00:06:04,290 --> 00:06:05,269 to using ISBNs? 165 00:06:06,129 --> 00:06:06,629 Absolutely. 166 00:06:07,250 --> 00:06:09,170 One of the most important things is to 167 00:06:09,170 --> 00:06:11,269 maintain ownership of your ISBN 168 00:06:12,050 --> 00:06:13,110 whenever possible. 169 00:06:14,064 --> 00:06:16,464 This gives you full control over your book's 170 00:06:16,464 --> 00:06:16,964 metadata 171 00:06:17,745 --> 00:06:18,485 and ensures 172 00:06:18,865 --> 00:06:21,425 that you're listed as the publisher of record. 173 00:06:21,425 --> 00:06:24,165 It allows you to make updates, revise additions, 174 00:06:24,544 --> 00:06:27,204 or switch distribution channels without restrictions. 175 00:06:27,904 --> 00:06:29,970 That makes a lot of sense. Any other 176 00:06:29,970 --> 00:06:30,470 tips? 177 00:06:31,089 --> 00:06:34,529 Well, another crucial practice is to register your 178 00:06:34,529 --> 00:06:35,029 ISBN 179 00:06:36,050 --> 00:06:37,509 with accurate metadata. 180 00:06:38,290 --> 00:06:41,189 When you're assigning an ISBN to your book, 181 00:06:41,634 --> 00:06:44,355 take the time to input detailed and accurate 182 00:06:44,355 --> 00:06:47,395 information about your book. This includes things like 183 00:06:47,395 --> 00:06:50,915 the title and subtitle, author name, genre, and 184 00:06:50,915 --> 00:06:53,175 subject categories, and book description. 185 00:06:53,819 --> 00:06:55,819 And here's a pro tip. If you are 186 00:06:55,819 --> 00:06:57,919 publishing multiple books or editions, 187 00:06:58,300 --> 00:07:01,019 consider buying ISBNs in bulk to save money 188 00:07:01,019 --> 00:07:01,919 in the long run. 189 00:07:02,300 --> 00:07:04,620 Those are great tips. It sounds like managing 190 00:07:04,620 --> 00:07:05,839 ISBNs effectively 191 00:07:06,295 --> 00:07:08,214 can really make a difference in a self 192 00:07:08,214 --> 00:07:09,675 published author's success. 193 00:07:10,615 --> 00:07:11,115 Absolutely. 194 00:07:11,975 --> 00:07:13,915 ISBNs are more than just a requirement. 195 00:07:14,375 --> 00:07:16,875 They're a tool that when used strategically 196 00:07:17,495 --> 00:07:19,915 can maximize your book's reach and impact. 197 00:07:20,430 --> 00:07:22,930 They're like the DNA of a book containing 198 00:07:22,990 --> 00:07:24,209 its unique identity 199 00:07:24,589 --> 00:07:26,850 and opening doors to a wider audience. 200 00:07:27,470 --> 00:07:28,990 Well, I think we've covered a lot of 201 00:07:28,990 --> 00:07:31,790 ground today. Any final thoughts for our listeners 202 00:07:31,790 --> 00:07:33,870 who might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by 203 00:07:33,870 --> 00:07:34,689 all this information? 204 00:07:35,555 --> 00:07:36,774 Don't let the technicalities 205 00:07:37,154 --> 00:07:38,134 intimidate you. 206 00:07:38,675 --> 00:07:39,175 Yes. 207 00:07:39,634 --> 00:07:41,495 There's a lot to learn about ISBNs, 208 00:07:42,035 --> 00:07:44,615 but understanding and using them effectively 209 00:07:45,235 --> 00:07:47,975 is a vital step toward professional publishing. 210 00:07:49,009 --> 00:07:50,389 These unique identifiers 211 00:07:51,089 --> 00:07:52,790 help your book gain legitimacy, 212 00:07:53,410 --> 00:07:57,110 access broader distribution channels, and become discoverable 213 00:07:57,569 --> 00:07:58,949 in a crowded market. 214 00:07:59,649 --> 00:08:00,149 Remember, 215 00:08:00,865 --> 00:08:03,365 whether you choose to purchase your own ISBN, 216 00:08:03,985 --> 00:08:05,764 use a free one from a platform, 217 00:08:06,144 --> 00:08:07,444 or work with a publisher, 218 00:08:07,824 --> 00:08:10,224 the decision should align with your publishing goals 219 00:08:10,224 --> 00:08:11,444 and long term plans. 220 00:08:12,144 --> 00:08:14,625 That's great advice. It really puts things into 221 00:08:14,625 --> 00:08:15,125 perspective. 222 00:08:15,689 --> 00:08:16,189 Absolutely. 223 00:08:16,889 --> 00:08:18,650 And here's one last thing to keep in 224 00:08:18,650 --> 00:08:21,949 mind. The publishing world is constantly evolving, 225 00:08:22,330 --> 00:08:25,069 and so are the tools and strategies 226 00:08:25,370 --> 00:08:26,910 authors use to succeed. 227 00:08:27,610 --> 00:08:28,110 ISBNs 228 00:08:28,810 --> 00:08:30,750 are just one piece of the puzzle, 229 00:08:31,294 --> 00:08:34,014 but they're an important one. As we move 230 00:08:34,014 --> 00:08:34,514 forward, 231 00:08:35,054 --> 00:08:37,375 who knows what new innovations might change the 232 00:08:37,375 --> 00:08:39,154 game for self published authors? 233 00:08:39,534 --> 00:08:41,154 The key is to stay informed, 234 00:08:41,455 --> 00:08:42,195 be adaptable, 235 00:08:42,654 --> 00:08:44,894 and always keep your goals as an author 236 00:08:44,894 --> 00:08:46,914 at the forefront of your decisions. 237 00:08:47,610 --> 00:08:48,350 Well said. 238 00:08:48,649 --> 00:08:50,750 I think that's a wrap for today's episode. 239 00:08:51,289 --> 00:08:54,250 Remember, your book deserves to stand out, and 240 00:08:54,250 --> 00:08:54,990 an ISBN 241 00:08:55,450 --> 00:08:57,629 is an essential part of making that happen. 242 00:08:58,049 --> 00:08:59,669 Couldn't have said it better myself. 243 00:09:00,209 --> 00:09:03,249 Until next time, keep writing, keep publishing, and 244 00:09:03,249 --> 00:09:05,589 keep making your mark on the literary world.