How much to sell a book for?

[Mike Weber]

No idea what we should sell our book for . . . next to Brian Bendis and Batman, we're pretty much no bodies . . . any thoughts on how any of you priced your books or what you'd be willing to spend on a new indy book?

We're doing a series of graphic novels . . . black and white, 48 pages each . . . is $2.99 too much?

Would love some feedback . . . here's out site:

FILMSandCOMICS.com

and our trailer on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV42Ev-s8D0

Many thanks if any of you have few minutes to check it out!

-mike

[LewMoxinsghost]

At the risk of walking right into a marketing trap, I think $2.99 sounds pretty cheap. :rolleyes: If most buyers are like me, they'll pay more for good stories. (or at least they should).

The main thing though is to price your book based on your business model and not just on feelings. Do the math. You have to cover costs, but you don't want to scare people away.

Your trailer looks flippin' sweet, too. I was reminded of the Korean-made Watchmen cartoon The Black Freighter. Who did the music for that?

[Red Jack]

trailer is awesome.

totally stealing that idea for later.

no idea what to charge.

[Mike Weber]

Thank you very much for your reply . . . good stuff . . . i think we are thinking more of our goal than business model . . . which we do have . . . but it's kind of like the underware gnomes on South Park . . . Phase 1 - collect under pants . . . Phase 3 - profit . . . what ever happened to Phase 2?

I guess we're trying to focus on getting it in the hands and in front of readers . . . will know more tomorrow . . . have it on the shelves in 2 local shops.

If you think of anything else, please share.

Thanks again,

-Mike

[krushjudgement]

$2.99 is a good price point.

[Tomodachi]

Yeah 2.99 is fine.

I have some friends that are working on their own comic too and theirs is $5 an issue printed or 99¢ for download. I don't know what your printing situation is, but for them they have to sell at $5 to cover print costs (color), food to live, etc.

Distribution is always going to be the hardest part of course.

Good luck!

[gl-freek]

Before coming up with a cost, I would suggest looking at the bigger picture. Find out exactly how much it takes to produce each individual comic, come up with a profit goal, and adjust your prices per issue to cover both. If you do it right, your price should seem pretty fair.

[Mike Weber]

I think the person who mentioned "big picture" sums this up the best.

We're looking to get readers with BOOK 1, and we're lucky that we saved, and have day jobs to take a bit of a hit on the pricing . . . we're hearing $2.99 for the book is great . . . granted we'll end up in the hole, and we don't see it as a loss. Not sure if we're naive or optimistic, we see it as an investment in the book, and ourselves. Talking to shop owners, it seems most real indies (actually working out of their basements) price their books too high, most likely due to print costs.

Any way, thanks for your feedback, would love to hear more!

Trailer and us in shops on YOUTUBE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49VbtrO_xjg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV42Ev-s8D0


and you can find us at

FILMSandCOMICS.com