Draft2Digital - Detailed Review
Writing Tools
Draft2Digital - Product Overview
Introduction to Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is a versatile platform that simplifies the process of ebook distribution, formatting, promotion, and sales tracking for authors. Here’s a breakdown of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
Draft2Digital acts as an aggregator, handling distribution services for authors whose books are not exclusive to a single platform, particularly Amazon. This means you can upload your ebook once to Draft2Digital, and they will distribute it to multiple major retailers, including Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and more.Target Audience
The primary target audience for Draft2Digital is self-published authors and independent presses. It is particularly beneficial for authors who want to publish their ebooks widely across various platforms without the hassle of creating individual accounts on each retailer’s site.Key Features
Distribution and Publishing
Draft2Digital allows you to publish your ebooks to 17 major retailers. In addition to ebooks, the platform also supports the distribution of print-on-demand books and audiobooks through partnerships like Findaway Voices.Formatting and Conversion
The platform can convert your manuscript into a beautifully formatted ebook or print book. It accepts various file formats, including Word documents (.doc, .docx), RTF, OTF, and TXT files.Promotion and Marketing Tools
Draft2Digital offers tools to help with book promotion, such as automated new-release notifications to your readers and the ability to update book metadata and pricing easily. It also helps in creating and managing end matter, including title pages, copyright information, and promotional pages like “Also by” the author lists.Sales Tracking
The platform provides a dashboard where you can track your sales and royalties from various retailers, making it easier to monitor your book’s performance across different channels.Additional Services
Draft2Digital includes features like automated end matter updates, which keep your book’s front and back matter up-to-date across all your titles. It also allows you to collect reader emails for new release notifications and offers tools to help define and target your ideal reader for more effective marketing. By leveraging these features, Draft2Digital streamlines the publishing process, saving authors time and effort while helping them reach a broader audience. Draft2Digital - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of Draft2Digital is renowned for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an attractive option for indie authors looking to publish their ebooks and print books efficiently.Sign-Up and Initial Setup
Creating an account on Draft2Digital is straightforward and free, requiring only a name and an email address. The initial setup process is quick, typically taking around 10 minutes to complete, including adding your author profile, basic account information, and payment details.Adding and Updating Books
The interface is intuitive, with a prominent “Add New Book” button that guides you through the process. You can input essential details such as the title, series information, and search terms. Draft2Digital remembers series names, so you only need to enter them once, which is a convenient feature.File Upload and Conversion
Authors can upload their manuscripts in various formats, including Word documents (.doc, .docx), RTF, OTF, and TXT. The conversion process is generally smooth, although some users have reported minor issues with formatting, especially with chapter headings and font styles. However, these issues are often resolved with a short learning curve.Layout and Formatting
Draft2Digital allows you to modify the layout of your ebook, especially if you upload a Word document. If you’ve already uploaded an ePub file, you can usually skip this step. The platform also offers an automated layout tool for print books, which is free and browser-based, allowing you to select page sizes and customize other aspects of your print-ready PDF.Distribution and Sales
Once your book is uploaded and formatted, you can select the online stores where you want to distribute it. Draft2Digital supports multiple platforms, including Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The process of submitting your book to these stores is automated and user-friendly.Pre-Orders and Promotions
Draft2Digital offers the ability to set up pre-orders for your books on various platforms, which is a significant benefit. You can list your book for pre-order even if it’s not yet ready, allowing you to start promoting it while you finish the final touches.Customer Service and Support
The customer service at Draft2Digital is generally praised for being good, although there have been some mixed experiences. Most users report positive interactions, but a few have encountered delays or unhelpful responses to their support requests.Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with Draft2Digital is positive, with many authors appreciating the simplicity and ease of use of the platform. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy for authors to manage their books and distributions. While there may be some minor issues with formatting or customer support, the benefits of using Draft2Digital, such as free ISBNs, automated layout tools, and easy distribution, often outweigh these drawbacks. Draft2Digital - Key Features and Functionality
Ebook Distribution
Draft2Digital acts as an aggregator, allowing authors to upload their ebooks once and distribute them to 17 major retailer platforms, including Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and more. This eliminates the need to create individual accounts on each platform, saving time and effort.Formatting
Draft2Digital offers automated formatting services. When you upload your manuscript, the platform converts it into beautiful epub and mobi files, ensuring your book looks good on various reading devices. If you have an expertly-formatted epub, Draft2Digital will distribute it without making any changes.Promotion Tools
- Automated New-Release Notifications: Draft2Digital can collect readers’ emails and send notifications whenever you release a new book, helping to keep your audience engaged.
- Preorders: You can set up preorders for your books through Draft2Digital, which helps build interest and boost your sales rank on release day.
- End-Matter (Back-Matter) Feature: This feature allows you to update your end-matter information in one place, and Draft2Digital will reflect these changes across all your books.
Sales Tracking
The platform provides a user-friendly dashboard where you can track your sales and royalties from all the retailers in one place. You receive daily reports and monthly payments, making it easy to monitor your book’s performance.Print-on-Demand
Draft2Digital offers a print-on-demand feature, launched in 2018, which allows authors to print paperbacks directly through the platform instead of using other services like Amazon or IngramSpark. This feature also generates files suitable for distribution through other print-on-demand services.Metadata and Pricing Updates
You can update the metadata or pricing of your book as many times as needed, and Draft2Digital will automatically apply these changes across all relevant platforms. Additionally, you get one free change to the draft, cover, or interior of your book every 90 days, with paid changes available as well.ISBN Assignment
Draft2Digital provides free ISBNs for books published through their system, unless you choose to use your own. This service helps distribute your book to more channels without requiring you to forfeit any rights.Integration and Support
- Easy Setup: Creating an account is straightforward and free, requiring basic information like your name, email, and password. You also need to complete tax documentation before uploading your books.
- Customer Support: Draft2Digital offers 24-hour support and dedicated customer service to help with any questions or issues you might have.
AI Integration
As of the current information, Draft2Digital does not integrate AI for rights licensing or any other AI-driven features within their platform. In fact, they have explicitly stated that they will not offer AI rights licensing opportunities until significant reforms are made to ensure greater contractual protections, transparency, and intellectual property protections.In summary, Draft2Digital streamlines the process of ebook distribution, formatting, and sales tracking while also providing tools for promotion and print-on-demand services, all without any upfront costs or risk to the author.
Draft2Digital - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Draft2Digital is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface and streamlined processes. Here are some key points:Distribution and Reporting
Distribution and Reporting: Draft2Digital excels in simplifying the process of distributing books to multiple platforms. It offers a centralized dashboard where authors can manage their sales and royalty payments efficiently. Daily sales updates are available for most retailers, making it easy to track performance.Customer Support
Customer Support: The platform is praised for its excellent customer support. Authors have reported positive experiences with the tech support team, which is crucial for resolving any issues that arise during the publishing process.Formatting and Conversion
Formatting and Conversion: Draft2Digital’s conversion tool is generally good, especially for straightforward text files. However, it may not be ideal for books with complex formatting, illustrations, or specific text styles. Authors can upload their own formatted files (e.g., epub, pdf) to bypass these limitations.Accuracy
Data Accuracy
Data Accuracy: The platform ensures accurate reporting and payment processes. Authors can rely on the daily sales updates and monthly royalty payments, which are managed through a single dashboard. This reduces the likelihood of errors and inconsistencies.Formatting Issues
Formatting Issues: While the conversion tool is generally reliable, there can be issues with formatting, especially for more complex documents. Authors may need to tweak and re-upload their files multiple times to achieve the desired format, which can be frustrating.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Amazon Integration
Amazon Integration: Draft2Digital is not ideal for authors who want to leverage Amazon’s exclusive programs such as KDP Select, Kindle Unlimited, or Amazon Ads. These features require a direct KDP account and cannot be managed through Draft2Digital. Authors are advised to use KDP for Amazon and Draft2Digital for other retailers.Immediate Feedback on Ads
Immediate Feedback on Ads: Some authors have noted that the lack of immediate feedback on the effectiveness of their ads is a drawback compared to KDP. This makes it harder to adjust advertising strategies quickly.Print Requirements
Print Requirements: There are specific requirements for print books, such as a minimum of 64 pages, which can be a limitation for certain types of publications. In summary, Draft2Digital performs well in terms of distribution, reporting, and customer support, but it has limitations, particularly with Amazon integration and complex formatting. Authors need to weigh these factors based on their specific needs and publishing strategies. Draft2Digital - Pricing and Plans
Draft2Digital offers a straightforward and cost-effective pricing structure for authors, with no upfront costs or monthly fees. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
No Upfront Costs or Monthly Fees
Draft2Digital does not charge any upfront fees for its services, including formatting, conversion, distribution, and sales tracking. You can sign up for an account for free, requiring only basic information like your name and email address.Commission Structure
Draft2Digital makes money by taking a percentage of the sales of your books. Specifically, they take approximately 10% of the list price of your ebook. Here’s how it works:- If a retailer takes 30% of the list price, Draft2Digital takes 10%, leaving you with about 60% of the list price.
Royalties
For ebooks, you typically earn around 60% of the list price. For example, if your ebook is priced at $5.00, the retailer might take $1.50 (30%), and Draft2Digital would take $0.50 (10%), leaving you with $3.00 (60%). For print books, you earn about 45% of the list price minus the base printing cost.Free Options
- Free Account: Signing up for an account is free, and you can start using their services immediately.
- Free ISBN: Draft2Digital provides a free ISBN for your book if you don’t already have one. However, this ISBN can only be used when distributing through Draft2Digital.
Features Available
- Formatting and Conversion: Draft2Digital handles the formatting and conversion of your manuscript into an ebook or print book. You can upload files in .doc, .docx, RTF, OTF, TXT, or epub formats.
- Distribution: They distribute your books to various digital stores and handle print-on-demand services.
- Sales Tracking: You receive daily reports of your book sales and monthly payments.
- Promotional Pricing: You can schedule promotional prices for your books, which will automatically change on the specified date and revert back to the original price after the promotion ends.
Pricing Flexibility
- Ebook Pricing: You can set your ebook prices between $0.99 and $39.99, although Draft2Digital recommends prices between $2.99 and $9.99. Note that Amazon may not allow prices below $0.99.
- Print Pricing: You need to consider the base printing cost when setting the price for print books. There is a minimum cost to printing, so print books cannot be listed for free.
- Library Pricing: Draft2Digital recommends setting library prices two to three times higher than your digital book price, with a minimum price of $0.99.
Draft2Digital - Integration and Compatibility
Draft2Digital Overview
Draft2Digital, following its acquisition of Smashwords, has integrated a wide range of tools and services to enhance compatibility and ease of use for authors and publishers across various platforms and devices.
Distribution and Compatibility
Draft2Digital distributes ebooks and print books to a broad spectrum of online retailers, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and library distributors like OverDrive and Bibliotheca. This wide distribution network ensures that authors can reach a diverse audience without the need to manage multiple accounts manually.
Integration of Smashwords Tools
With the acquisition of Smashwords, Draft2Digital has incorporated several unique tools from Smashwords into its platform. These include Smashwords Coupons, Presales tools, Author Interviews, and Self-serve Merchandising. Smashwords authors now have access to Draft2Digital’s simpler publishing tools, Books2Read Universal Book Links, payment splitting, and the D2D Print service. Conversely, Draft2Digital authors can now access the Smashwords store and other exclusive Smashwords features.
User-Friendly Interface and Formatting
Draft2Digital is known for its user-friendly interface, which allows authors to upload their manuscripts, convert them into various ebook formats, and distribute them to multiple stores without requiring advanced technical knowledge. The platform offers automated layout and formatting tools, converting manuscripts into professionally formatted ebooks and print books. Authors can also upload their own expertly-formatted epubs without any changes.
Universal Book Links and Author Pages
Draft2Digital provides Universal Book Links (UBLs), which give readers a single link to find an author’s book across multiple retailers. This feature simplifies the process for readers and helps authors by making their books more discoverable. Additionally, authors can create and customize their author pages and Books2Read pages, making it easier for readers to find all of an author’s works in one place.
Print on Demand and Preorders
The platform offers a print-on-demand service, allowing authors to create and distribute print versions of their books. Authors can also set up preorders for their books through Draft2Digital, which helps in building interest and boosting sales rank on release day.
Compatibility Across Devices
Draft2Digital ensures that ebooks are formatted to look good on various devices. The conversion process creates beautiful epubs and mobi files for Kindle reading, ensuring compatibility across different e-readers and devices. This means authors do not have to worry about the technical aspects of formatting their books for different platforms.
Support and Customer Service
Draft2Digital provides 24-hour support and dedicated customer service, making the publishing process smooth and effortless for authors. The platform also assigns free ISBNs to books published through their system, which helps in distributing books to more channels without authors forfeiting any rights.
Conclusion
In summary, Draft2Digital’s integration with Smashwords and its existing features make it a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for authors to publish, distribute, and manage their ebooks and print books across a wide range of platforms and devices.
Draft2Digital - Customer Support and Resources
Contact Options
- You can reach Draft2Digital’s customer service via their toll-free number: (866) 336-5099 for US callers, or 61 180 086 1488 for Australian callers. They are available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm CST.
- For written inquiries, you can use the Contact Us form on their website, which generates a support ticket to ensure you receive personalized help.
Support Resources
- Draft2Digital has a comprehensive Help Center where you can find solutions to common issues related to formatting, digital stores, pricing, promotions, and payment. This resource is designed to address many of the frequently asked questions and problems users encounter.
- The company also provides a Corporate Office Address and a Fax Number ( 1 (866) 358 6413) for those who need to contact them through other means.
Additional Resources
- Draft2Digital’s website features a blog with various articles and tips, such as guides on writing from anywhere, using AI in publishing, and recommendations for self-publishing tools. These articles can be very helpful for authors looking to improve their writing and publishing skills.
- The blog also includes episodes from their podcast, “Self Publishing Insiders,” which covers topics relevant to authors and self-publishers, such as the future of AI in writing and publishing.
Submission Guidelines
- It’s important to note that Draft2Digital does not accept printed manuscripts or physical USB drives. All book submissions must be made digitally through their platform.
By utilizing these support options and resources, authors can get the help they need to successfully publish and manage their books.
Draft2Digital - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Wide Distribution
Draft2Digital allows you to publish your ebooks to a broad range of retailers, including Amazon (though with some limitations), Kobo, Apple Books, and many others, saving you the time and effort of managing multiple accounts.
Access to Libraries
The platform provides extensive access to libraries, including Overdrive and Hoopla, which can significantly increase your book’s visibility and reach.
No Up-front Costs
There are no initial fees for conversion, distribution, or sales tracking. You only pay a percentage of your actual sales, which aligns Draft2Digital’s interests with yours.
Real-Time Support
Draft2Digital offers personalized support from real humans, making the publishing process smoother and more supportive.
Innovative Promotional Tools
Features like Universal Book Links (Books2Read) and customizable Author Pages help simplify and enhance your marketing efforts.
Co-author Friendly
The platform simplifies the process for books with multiple authors by allowing individual payments and tax forms, which can be a significant advantage over other platforms.
Account Sharing
You can securely share account access with assistants or team members, maintaining control while delegating tasks.
Disadvantages
Profit Margins
While the pricing model is generally good, authors selling a large number of books might find other distributors that offer higher royalty rates more appealing.
POD Fees and Manuscript Changes
The Print-on-Demand (POD) fees are standard, but the limitation on changing your manuscript only once every 90 days can be inconvenient compared to platforms like Amazon that allow more frequent changes.
Content Restrictions
Draft2Digital has strict content moderators, particularly for genres like romance and erotica, which can lead to books being banned or royalties being withheld.
Limited Reach Outside English-Speaking Countries
Draft2Digital’s reach is somewhat limited in non-English speaking countries, which might be a drawback for authors targeting international markets.
Amazon Limitations
Draft2Digital does not support Amazon-specific features like KDP Select, Kindle Unlimited, or setting your book to “Free.” For optimal use of Amazon’s services, you need to manage your book directly through KDP.
Overall, Draft2Digital is a strong option for authors who want to simplify their ebook distribution process, reach a wide audience, and benefit from various promotional tools. However, it may not be the best choice for authors who primarily focus on Amazon or need more flexible content guidelines.
Draft2Digital - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Draft2Digital
- Formatting and Distribution: Draft2Digital stands out for its ease of use in formatting eBooks and print books. They handle the technical aspects, converting your .doc or .docx files into formats compliant with various platforms, making the process simple for authors.
- Category and Blurb Management: Draft2Digital does a better job than some competitors in ensuring books are categorized correctly on partner sites and that book blurbs appear accurately.
- Reporting and Payment: The service offers daily updated sales reports, which are more intelligible than those of some competitors. Authors are paid monthly, which can be a significant advantage.
- No Upfront Costs: Draft2Digital does not charge any upfront fees, and they take a 15% commission on sales.
Potential Alternatives
Smashwords
Before its acquisition by Draft2Digital, Smashwords was a major competitor. While it had clout and reliability, it lacked in areas such as reporting speed and metadata changes. However, with Draft2Digital’s acquisition, many of Smashwords’ features are now integrated into Draft2Digital.
PublishDrive
PublishDrive offers similar distribution services but requires authors to handle their own book formatting, which can be a drawback for some. However, PublishDrive provides additional marketing services like Amazon Advertising and review copy generation, which Draft2Digital does not. PublishDrive also charges a monthly fee, unlike Draft2Digital’s commission-based model.
AI-Driven Writing Tools (Not Direct Competitors but Relevant for Writers)
While Draft2Digital is not an AI writing tool, writers often use a combination of distribution services and AI writing tools. Here are some AI tools that writers might consider:
KoalaWriter
KoalaWriter is an AI writing tool that uses GPT-4 and Google’s AI technologies to produce high-quality content quickly. It is particularly good for SEO-optimized content and offers a user-friendly interface. However, it can be expensive for small businesses or individuals.
Writesonic
Writesonic is known for its speed in generating content, producing a 1,500-word blog post in just 15 seconds. It offers tools for idea generation, selecting headings and titles, and AI-driven editing. However, it may lack customization options and can be costly for high-volume content needs.
Sudowrite and Jasper
For fiction and nonfiction writers, tools like Sudowrite and Jasper are popular. Sudowrite is designed with fiction writers in mind, offering comprehensive features for writing, revisions, and brainstorming. Jasper is more powerful but expensive, using multiple AI models to generate high-quality content. These tools are not direct competitors to Draft2Digital but are useful for writers looking to enhance their writing process.
In summary, Draft2Digital excels in eBook and print book formatting and distribution, making it a strong choice for authors who want a hassle-free experience. However, for those needing additional marketing services or who prefer to handle their own formatting, PublishDrive might be a better option. For writers looking to leverage AI in their writing process, tools like KoalaWriter, Writesonic, Sudowrite, and Jasper offer different benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Draft2Digital - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Draft2Digital
What are the benefits of using Draft2Digital?
Draft2Digital offers several key benefits. It saves you time by allowing you to upload your book once, and then D2D handles the distribution to various retailers. The platform is easy to use, with straightforward templates and prompts to guide you through the process. It also enables you to publish your books widely without any upfront costs. Additionally, D2D provides both ebook and print-on-demand services, tracks sales across multiple retailers, and helps with book promotion through Books2Read.Where does Draft2Digital publish my books?
Draft2Digital distributes your books to a wide range of retailers, including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo (including Kobo Plus), Smashwords Store, Tolino, OverDrive, cloudLibrary, and several others. You have the option to choose which retailers you want to publish through using an easy opt-in or opt-out checklist.How do I sign up and start using Draft2Digital?
Signing up for Draft2Digital is free and quick, requiring only your name and an email address. There are no upfront costs or credit card requirements. Once you’ve created your account, you can start adding a new book by following the on-screen prompts, uploading your manuscript, and choosing your distribution channels.What are the royalty rates for books distributed through Draft2Digital?
Draft2Digital takes approximately 10% of the list price of your book, while the retailers take their own percentage. This typically leaves you with about 60% of the list price for ebooks. For example, if Apple pays 70% to Draft2Digital, you would receive 60% of the list price. For print books, you would make about 45% of the list price minus the base printing cost.Can I make changes to my book after it’s been published through Draft2Digital?
Yes, you can make changes to your book without any penalties. Draft2Digital allows you to update the metadata, pricing, cover, or interior of your book as many times as you need. While there are no charges for these changes, there may be some limitations, such as one free change every 90 days, with paid options available for more frequent changes.How does Draft2Digital handle formatting and conversion of my book?
Draft2Digital offers automated formatting and conversion services. You can upload your manuscript, and D2D will convert it into the necessary formats for different retailers. If you prefer, you can also upload a pre-formatted EPUB or PDF file, which will pass through the system unchanged. The platform aims to maintain your formatting style while ensuring the book looks good on various devices.Does Draft2Digital offer tools for promoting my books?
Yes, Draft2Digital provides several tools to help promote your books. One of the key tools is Books2Read, which helps you reach a wider audience. Additionally, D2D can collect your readers’ emails to send notifications about new book releases. They also inform you about various promotional opportunities that your books might be a good fit for.Can I track my sales and royalties through Draft2Digital?
Draft2Digital offers a dashboard where you can track your sales and royalties from all the retailers your book is published through. This simplifies bookkeeping and tax filing by providing a centralized place to monitor your earnings.Does Draft2Digital support print-on-demand services?
Yes, Draft2Digital introduced print-on-demand services in 2018. This allows you to print and distribute physical copies of your books directly through the platform, without needing to use third-party services.How does Draft2Digital handle end matter and automated updates?
Draft2Digital offers automated end matter, which updates content such as author biographies, copyright information, and promotional pages automatically across all your books. You only need to enter this information once, and it will be kept up-to-date whenever you make changes.Is it free to make changes to my author or publisher information?
Yes, it is free to update your author or publisher information through Draft2Digital. You can make changes to your contributor profiles or publisher descriptions from the account settings, and these changes will be reflected in all your books automatically. Draft2Digital - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is a versatile and user-friendly platform that significantly simplifies the process of ebook distribution, formatting, and promotion for self-published authors. Here’s a comprehensive look at its benefits and who would most benefit from using it.Key Benefits
- Time-Saving: Draft2Digital allows you to upload your manuscript once and then distributes it to multiple retailers, saving you the hassle of repeated uploads.
- Wide Distribution: The platform offers distribution to a wide range of retailers, including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and various library services like OverDrive and Hoopla. This broad reach helps authors gain more visibility and potential sales.
- No Up-Front Costs: There are no initial fees for conversion, distribution, or sales tracking. Authors only pay a percentage of their actual sales, which aligns Draft2Digital’s interests with the authors’ success.
- Easy-to-Use Interface: The platform provides easy-to-use templates and on-screen prompts, making the publishing process straightforward even for those new to self-publishing.
- Promotional Tools: Draft2Digital offers innovative promotional tools such as Universal Book Links (UBLs) and Books2Read, which simplify marketing and help authors reach a broader audience.
- Sales Tracking and Analytics: The platform provides a comprehensive dashboard for tracking sales and royalties across multiple retailers, making it easier to manage and analyze your book’s performance.
Who Would Benefit Most
Draft2Digital is particularly beneficial for:- Self-Published Authors: Those who want to distribute their ebooks widely without the hassle of managing multiple accounts on different platforms will find Draft2Digital invaluable.
- Authors Looking for Broad Library Access: With its extensive network of libraries, Draft2Digital helps authors reach readers who prefer borrowing books, which can be a significant market.
- Authors Needing Promotional Support: The platform’s promotional tools, such as Universal Book Links and automated new-release notifications, are highly beneficial for authors looking to enhance their marketing efforts.
- Authors Seeking Real-Time Support: Draft2Digital offers personalized support from real humans, which is a significant advantage over automated support systems found on other platforms.