How to make an IngramSpark account

 Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

IngramSpark is a global book distribution network that services both online retailers and bookstores.

1. Getting started

First, you’ll need to create your account by adding the initial information. Complete the following steps:

1. Go to IngramSpark’s “Create an Account”
2. Enter your details. It will prompt you for your contact name, email address, and a password at this stage.
3. Click on the “Create Account” button.
4. IngramSpark will send a confirmation to your email address which you will need to confirm.

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2. Accept Policies

Once you have confirmed your email address and logged back into your IngramSpark account, you will be asked to accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy statement. You will need to click on the hyperlinks on Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to read them in detail. Once read, click agree.

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3. Fill in your personal information

After agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, you will be prompted to fill in your information in preparation for the following.

You will be asked a range of questions such as Business Info, Security, Agreements, Compensation and Payment Methods.

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4. Agreements

Please note to create an IngramSpark account you will need an ABN number. You will also need to list your Form of Business (if you don’t have a business choose ‘Sole Proprietor’.

When you reach the ‘Agreements’ stage read and pick each agreement to decide if you accept them. To read each agreement in detail you can press the blue hyperlinks to bring up more information.
It is important to note that there are only two agreements which are mandatory (the Global POD Agreement and Global EBook Agreement). The others you can agree to at your own discretion.

Once the agreements have been accepted, you will be asked to provide an electronic signature.

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5. Setting up your compensation and payment details

Before you can set up your book (upload files) IngramSpark requires you to enter your compensation and payment details so that they can send you payments from your sales and so they know which currency to pay you in. Complete the following steps:

1. Select which currency you’d prefer to be paid in.
2. Fill out your bank account details.
3. Give the details for your debit/credit card. This will allow payment to IngramSpark for the set-up fee and in the case of charging for revisions to your book files if you make them.

Once all these steps are complete you are now ready to upload and start publishing your book!

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6. Compare IngramSpark and Amazon KDP

IngramSpark and Amazon KDP are both POD and distribution services, but they differ in their capabilities and services.

Amazon has a distribution and POD service that is exclusive to their platform, allowing authors to distribute their book online via all Amazon marketplaces and reach a global audience for both print and eBook formats. On the other hand, IngramSpark opens up a broad range of distribution channels for books printed and distributed through their system. These channels are inclusive of brick-and-mortar bookstores who are signed up to their system and multiple online platforms, including Amazon, Booktopia, and Dymocks Online.

A benefit of using Amazon KDP is that you receive a higher-than-average royalty rate for each sale of your book (usually around 60 – 70%). However, they control the prices for their products and can often set them much lower or much higher than the author wants. Contrastingly, IngramSpark authors have more control over their book’s RRP and can set it at a price reflective of their book’s worth. However, IngramSpark may give out lower royalties compared to Amazon KDP.

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