Six Key Steps for Optimizing Content for eBooks

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Publishers can take advantage of the eBook opportunity without having to worry about the risks of converting to the wrong platform

With technology and standards maturing, eBooks are now ready to match the publishing industry’s vision. Publishers that convert titles to XML and PDF can take advantage of the eBook opportunity without having to worry about the risks of converting their content to the wrong platform. Moreover, by acting now, publishers can maintain control of their digital archives — and be in a position to monetize those assets.

But there’s more to converting content than simply scanning pages from a book. Publishers that want to prepare their content for use in eBooks and other digital formats need to start planning now. Here’s how:

1) Assess audience. As a first step, publishers need to determine who will be most likely to buy their digital content. Will it be readers eager to buy new titles or customers who want to buy treasured masterpieces?

2) Determine which content to digitize. Publishers that have a substantial number of titles from their backlists need to determine whether to proceed chronologically, by popularity or by genre. For example, publishers might digitize less popular but relevant titles along with best sellers.

3) Obtain the latest copy of backlist titles. A digital book is only as good as the source materials from which it is created. For current versions, publishers need to ensure they have the most up-to-date electronic version, which means they’ll need to obtain files from the printer.

4) Determine digital distribution rights. While books published 15-20 years ago specified publishers’ rights for reprinting the book, digital or electronic distribution rights did not exist. Consequently, publishers need to make sure they hold or retain electronic distribution rights.

5) Set up the optimal workflow. This is a fairly easy step for publishers that have created a single-source publishing workflow, in which they create one source file for generating content in multiple outputs.

6) Select a proven XML data conversion partner. Digitization and conversion projects sometimes involve millions of pages. Publishers also need to add features that simplify search and support repurposing. This is one reason why many publishers elect to work with a digitization and conversion partner.