M.K. Williams | Where to get barcodes for your book | Do I need a barcode for my book? @1MKWilliams | Uploaded June 2024 | Updated October 2024, 57 minutes ago.
As I mentioned in the intro, I did get the idea for this video from comments on my other videos. So, be sure to comment with your questions. Usually, I can direct you to an existing video, if now, I end up making a video to answer that question. Seriously, subscribe and comment. You’re helping yourself and other authors, and me because I need new videos every week.
So where do you get the barcodes for your book?
First, some reminders:
BARCODES AND ISBNS are two totally different things. Your ISBN and your Barcode are not interchangeable terms. The ISBN is the distinct 13-digit number for your exact book by format. Your eBook has one your Paperback has another. The Barcode for the print book will have the ISBN written on it, but it holds more metadata than just the ISBN.
Which leads me to my next reminder. BARCODES are only for physical products that are inventoried or exchanged hands at a point of sale. EBooks and digital audiobooks, no barcode.
So where to get them?
Most if not all self-publishing platforms that offer print-on-demand for paperback and hardcover will apply a no-price barcode to the back of your book cover if you don’t bring your own. If you have no intention of pounding the pavement to get your book into brick-and-mortar stores and only plan to do online retail sales, this is fine. Take the free no-price barcode. The service will be able to apply the ISBN you provided - because you own your ISBN right? - to the barcode. You don’t have to worry about it
Some cover design services are also providing no-price barcodes. Again, this is fine. You will need to indicate in Amazon KDP that you are bringing your own barcode. Or tell your cover designer to not put on one. Again, if there is no price on the barcode it doesn’t matter.
IF YOU WANT THE PRICE ON YOUR BARCODE because you want to sell into brick-and-mortar stores then you have a few options, but each of these requires you to provide the barcode to your cover designer so they can put it on the back cover (one for the paperback and one for the hardcover because the ISBNs are different and the price should be too) for you.
In the US, you can get a barcode with the price on it from Bowker which is where you purchased your ISBN - because you own your ISBN right? - but it costs $25 a pop. So you have to really have that price set before you buy. Again, if you don’t want the price on the barcode, take the free one.
For US authors on a budget or authors elsewhere in the world where I’ve never had to get a barcode, you can use Bookow. They can also generate a barcode with the price on it. They don’t charge, but they do ask for a donation. Honestly, they just saved you $25 so be a good person and put in $5 or $10 so that this service can still exist next time you need a barcode and that it will exist for other authors too.
That’s it folks. What other questions do you have?
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DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you, but it can help me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!
As I mentioned in the intro, I did get the idea for this video from comments on my other videos. So, be sure to comment with your questions. Usually, I can direct you to an existing video, if now, I end up making a video to answer that question. Seriously, subscribe and comment. You’re helping yourself and other authors, and me because I need new videos every week.
So where do you get the barcodes for your book?
First, some reminders:
BARCODES AND ISBNS are two totally different things. Your ISBN and your Barcode are not interchangeable terms. The ISBN is the distinct 13-digit number for your exact book by format. Your eBook has one your Paperback has another. The Barcode for the print book will have the ISBN written on it, but it holds more metadata than just the ISBN.
Which leads me to my next reminder. BARCODES are only for physical products that are inventoried or exchanged hands at a point of sale. EBooks and digital audiobooks, no barcode.
So where to get them?
Most if not all self-publishing platforms that offer print-on-demand for paperback and hardcover will apply a no-price barcode to the back of your book cover if you don’t bring your own. If you have no intention of pounding the pavement to get your book into brick-and-mortar stores and only plan to do online retail sales, this is fine. Take the free no-price barcode. The service will be able to apply the ISBN you provided - because you own your ISBN right? - to the barcode. You don’t have to worry about it
Some cover design services are also providing no-price barcodes. Again, this is fine. You will need to indicate in Amazon KDP that you are bringing your own barcode. Or tell your cover designer to not put on one. Again, if there is no price on the barcode it doesn’t matter.
IF YOU WANT THE PRICE ON YOUR BARCODE because you want to sell into brick-and-mortar stores then you have a few options, but each of these requires you to provide the barcode to your cover designer so they can put it on the back cover (one for the paperback and one for the hardcover because the ISBNs are different and the price should be too) for you.
In the US, you can get a barcode with the price on it from Bowker which is where you purchased your ISBN - because you own your ISBN right? - but it costs $25 a pop. So you have to really have that price set before you buy. Again, if you don’t want the price on the barcode, take the free one.
For US authors on a budget or authors elsewhere in the world where I’ve never had to get a barcode, you can use Bookow. They can also generate a barcode with the price on it. They don’t charge, but they do ask for a donation. Honestly, they just saved you $25 so be a good person and put in $5 or $10 so that this service can still exist next time you need a barcode and that it will exist for other authors too.
That’s it folks. What other questions do you have?
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCjvBO4kjuBSYe6Bi3RYQAQA/join
Music from: Wondershare Filmora Sounds: "Something Cheer You Up"
Stock video and images from Wondershare Filmora and Pexels
How You Can Support This Channel and My Work:
👍Like, Subscribe, and Comment on this video!
✉️Subscribe to my monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/52c7cd246b5b/authoryourambition
➕Follow me on my other channels: FB | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
facebook.com/1mkwilliams
twitter.com/1mkwilliams
instagram.com/1mkwilliams
goodreads.com/author/show/14420756.M_K_Williams
☕️Buy Me A Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/1mkwilliams
📚Check out my books and purchase them or request them at your library: 1mkwilliams.com or payhip.com/MKWilliamsPublishingLLC
Author Your Ambition Merch on Etsy:
📖etsy.com/shop/AuthorYourAmbition
Partnership Opportunities:
Interested in working together to collaborate on an upcoming video? Let's connect: authoryourambition.com/partnership-opportunities
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you, but it can help me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!
