How To Register ISBN and Barcode In 5 Simple Steps
This article will break down how to Register ISBN in 5 simple steps. We take the mystery out of the industry and teach authors how to self publish today!
Step 1 – Have A Finished Draft Of Your Book
I know how exciting it can be when self-publishing a book for the first time, but before you run off and spend a few hundred dollars on your ISBNs and barcode(s), you must follow these steps carefully.
The first step in registering your ISBN and getting your barcode(s) is to have a final draft of your book, completely edited and formatted from head to toe (everything except the information that will go on the Copyright page). This step is very important because when you go to register your ISBN you will need to decide on a price to set your book at. Having your book edited and formatted allows you to correctly enter your books page count into the IngramSpark free online book calculator and decide on a profitable price you would like to set your book at. It is very important that you register your ISBN and barcode(s) with a price you are confident with because if you need to change them for whatever reason you will have to buy a new barcode and re-register your ISBN. These are needless hassles you can easily avoid by just having a final draft of your book before buying and registering your ISBN(s) and barcode(s).
Step 2 – Buy Your ISBNs From Bowker.com
By this point in your self-publishing journey you have a version of your book draft you are proud of and are now starting to look at the next steps to get your book out there. You are doing fantastic! Once you are absolutely ready to get your book in print (ebooks play by a slightly different set of rules) it is now time to buy and register your ISBN(s) and Barcode(s). The only licensed distributor of ISBNs in America is Bowker, so don’t be fooled by anyone trying to sell you an ISBN. You can buy a single ISBN from Bowker for $125 or a pack of 10 for $295, and I would recommend buying the 10 pack because you will need a unique ISBN for each version of your book (ie. paperback, hardcover, ebook, etc). It is helpful to note that some print-on-demand services (like KDP) will offer you a free ISBN, but only under the condition that you only print through them with that ISBN. So if you want complete control of where you print your book it is best to buy your own ISBNs.
Step 3 – Register Your ISBNs
Now that you have purchased your ISBNs from Bowker, you can now start to register your ISBNs and input the required information. You will need: a book title and subtitles, description of your book, book medium, book format, book genre, and book price. Once you input all of the required information and submit your request for approval you will receive a confirmation in about a day or so and the registration status of the ISBN will be found on your list of Identifiers.
Step 4 – Buy Your Barcode
Now that the registration process for your ISBN has been completed, you can now buy your barcode! Please note that in our article How To Self- Publish A Book – The 8 Steps To Self Publish we teach that it is important to have your barcode purchased before you get started with a cover designer since they will need your barcode for the back cover (ebooks are a different beast). To buy your barcode you simply click on “Buy Barcode” in line with the ISBN you want to register the barcode to. Now remember that if you decide to change the book price you enter for your barcode, you will have to buy a new barcode if you decide to change the price, so make sure you follow these steps carefully and have a finished draft of your book before buying your barcode.
Step 5 – Update Your Copyright Page
Before you celebrate, you will need to input your newly registered ISBNs into your Copyright page in the front matter of your book. After you make these quick edits you will now have a complete and ready to print draft of your book and are one step closer to sending your passion off to the printing press!
Learn From Authors With Success!
Owner of Scherr Publishing and Author Kenneth Scherr is spilling the industry beans by layout out exactly how to buy and register your ISBNs and barcodes without the help of some fancy publisher who charges an arm and a leg. We are committed to our mission of helping struggling self-publishing authors accomplish their dream and vision to be the number one resource for self-publishing authors. If this has helped please share this with your author friends or leave a comment to help spread the knowledge!
To see how this process turned out for Mr. Scherr, check out his book “Behaving As US” on Amazon, and if you have any more questions about self-publishing please email us at info@scherrpublishing.com or leave a comment below!
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