One of most popular software programs is FeedForAll, which is an inexpensive yet effective tool for developing and maintaining an RSS feed. This program, and others like it, allows users to utilize their own syndicated content, or to download existing feeds from internet. It also provides users with ability to manually edit their site to include pictures and colors which may create a more exciting online experience for customers.

As need for internet to provide instantaneous access to a wide variety of information continues to grow, RSS feeds have become a critical component of information distribution. It is likely that RSS feeds will serve as an important tool for sharing information on web for years to come and could, in not too distant future, even begin to rival e-mails as preferred method of knowledge sharing. Therefore, understanding how best to utilize RSS feeds into your website may have lasting, positive effects on your business' growth.

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Conversely, those authors who long for best distribution possible will elect a higher trade discount, even though their cover price will increase accordingly (or their profit will decrease accordingly). Non-fiction or niche-markets are less affected by higher retail prices and greater distribution is often advantageous in finding those markets.

Often, author will have little to no say in what trade discount to offer for their books -- its whatever distributor mandates.

Trade discounts can be as low as 20% to successfully get listed on Internet retailers like Amazon.com, who manage to make a profit with such low margins through EDI (electronic data interface) with distributors like Ingram and on-demand publishers like iUniverse and Outskirts Press.

By comparison, trade discounts can be as high as 75% - 80% when dealing with a niche wholesaler, or when attempting distribution for a book that does not have a proven market. In these cases, distributor may be padding coffers a bit in anticipation for a "harder sell" and perhaps, also, in preparation for offering an increased retail margin to close deal.

INDUSTRY STANDARDS

Industry standards for retail margins are difficult to define because, ultimately, it comes down to negotiation between all parties involved. Publishers have power to negotiate with distributors, who have power to negotiate with retailers, who have ability to negotiate with reader, but typical trade discount is around 55%, which allows for a typical retail margin of 40%.

Publishing-on-demand is removing some of participants in this little dance, and as a result, same piece of pie is being divided among fewer people, resulting in more money for remaining players (especially author).