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[Why wadiz? #6] Why Print Book Funding Succeeds on Wadiz

와디즈

2025.01.22

This content is
<WHY wadiz?>
series, Episode 6: Print Books.

Be sure to take this with you!

Wadiz is an online bookstore that can overcome the limitations of the fixed book price system.
Successful print book funding campaigns share three common traits.
You must effectively convey the value of your book to readers in an appealing way.

Where Are All Books Treated Equally?

For small publishers, introducing a book to the world is always a difficult challenge. Catching a reader’s eye is as hard as squeezing through a narrow door, and the reality is that it’s difficult to compete on price at online bookstores due to the fixed book price system. However, there are definitely readers out there who will recognize the value of our books.

Wadiz isn’t just a platform for selling books.

It’s a space where you can convey a book’s true value to readers and communicate with them directly.Regardless of a publisher’s size, anyone can promote their book based solely on its story, starting from the same level playing field. Furthermore, by combining online and offline content that complements the book, you can overcome the limitations of the fixed book price system.

So, what is the secret to successful print book funding on wadiz?

Successful print book projects on wadiz / Source: wadiz

Upon analyzing these successful projects, we discovered three common factors: collectible value, special packaging, and marketing strategies that boost conversion rates.Let’s take a closer look at each of these three characteristics, which will be helpful for those preparing aprint bookfunding campaign.

1. The Book’s Collectible Value: The Deciding Factor for Funding

On wadiz, a book’s “collectible value” is the key factor in funding success.Books that aren’tjustread and set aside, but possess a charm that makes people want to keep them for a long time, are often well-received. Let’s look at ways to enhance a book’s collectible value, along with some examples.

| Specialized Topic + Expert Insight

Excerpt from the funding story for *Modernist Cuisine at Home* by Inverse Alpha Maker / Source: wadiz

First,the *Modernist Cuisine at Home* project, which raised a total of 600 million won in funding, is a prime example of just how important a book’s theme and content are on wadiz. This book garnered a huge response by breaking down the cooking techniques and principles of the world’s top chefs in a way that anyone could easily understand. By combining the specialized topic of “cooking” with in-depth expert insights, it convinced supporters that “this is a must-have book.”If your book has a distinct theme and content—such as humanities, general knowledge, or history—be sure to fully convey its value through storytelling.

| High-Quality Craftsmanship

(Left) <BANCHADO> by Hyo-hyung Publishing maker and (Right) actual reviews from supporters / Source: wadiz

Another approach is to enhance the quality of the book’s craftsmanship to stimulate the desire to own it.Take the <BANCHADO> project, which raised approximately130 million won in funding. This book is an illustrated record of King Jeongjo’s royal procession to Hwaseong some 200 years ago. While it holds great value for its historical significance alone, the hardcover binding and high-quality illustrations sparked supporters’ desire to own a copy. Furthermore, by limiting the print run to 2,000 copies and assigning each book a unique serial number, the project maximized its exclusivity.

Hyundai Jisung Maker’s *Anne of Green Gables Complete Collection* / Source: wadiz

Another example is the *Anne of Green Gables Complete Collection*, which raised approximately 60 million won in funding. Comprising a series of five or more volumes, this collection was widely loved for the joy it brought in completing the set. Wadiz supporters are “value-driven” readers who derive great satisfaction from displaying series of books in their favorite genres on their bookshelves. Therefore, a strategy of offering a series of five or more volumes—rather than a single volume—to heighten the desire to collect is effective.

Ultimately, if a book offers expert insight into a specific field or features high-quality craftsmanship—such as hardcover editions or series—you can provide supporters with something more special than just a book. Try elevating the book beyond mere reading material to something of lasting value that people want to keep.

2. Expanding Funding Scale Through Special Package Offerings

Another key feature of successful print book crowdfunding campaigns is the creation of special packages. Rather than simply offering the book alone, adding various experiences that complement the book increases supporter satisfaction andallows you to expand the scale of your funding—something that’s difficult to achieve through book sales alone.

| Opportunities to Interact with the Author

Excerpt from the funding story for *The Eight Project* by Chai Jeong-won / Source: wadiz

Above all, the opportunity to interact directly with the author is a powerful draw.Rewards such as authorlectures, tea parties, and meal vouchers are prime examples. For instance, author Lee Ji-sung, for her self-help series *The Eight Series*, offered high-priced rewards in the 100,000-won and 300,000-won ranges by bundling tickets to in-person lectures with a brunch party with the author. Readers were eager to participate in this special experience of hearing the author’s insights firsthand. If you’re not a well-known author and are hesitant, try creating opportunities to connect with readers in a casual setting, such as a simple tea time or a small-scale book talk.

| Attractive Merchandise

Some of the funding merchandise for *My Name Is Kim Sam-soon: The Script Collection* by Booklog Company Maker / Source: wadiz

Curating merchandise that highlights the book’s charm is also a key element of a special package. In the <MY Name Is Kim Sam-soon: Script Collection> funding campaign,merchandise closely tied to the bookproved highly effective. Items like pin badges recreating iconic scenes and the “Bastard Keychain”—which played on the drama’s humorous elements—were particularly popular.

However, there are some things to watch out for when planning merchandise. What if they had simply printed an image of the drama’s “bastard” cake on a mug? The details of the cake wouldn’t have come through, and the merchandise would have lost its appeal. Rather than following common formats, merchandise should be products that effectively highlight the core elements.

3. Promotion and Marketing: Reaching More Readers Within a Set Budget

The final key is promotion and marketing to boost conversion rates. More publishers than you might think tend to overlook promotion and marketing. Just because you’ve launched a project doesn’t mean readers will find it on their own.To showcase the book’s appeal and lead the funding campaign to success, an active marketing strategy is absolutely essential.

| wadiz’s Conversion-Focused Advertising Service

wadiz Advertising Service <BIZ Center> Homepage / Source: wadiz

Wadiz’s advertising service serves as an efficient tool for publishers preparing to launch print book funding campaigns. This is because it allows you to collect data by tracking the interests and behaviors of people who view the ads. By leveraging this data, you can identify and target people who are highly likely to be interested in your book.

For example, among people who have viewed a cookbook ad, you can re-expose the ad to users specifically interested in certain cooking topics to increase the conversion rate. Unlike ads that simply aim to increase impressions, this approach focuses on showing ads to audiences who are actually likely to participate in the funding campaign, making it 2 to 3 times more effective than standard advertising. wadizadvertising does not aim for mere exposure. Thanks to conversion-focused targeting, you can expect greater results even with a limited budget.

| Post-settlement System to Minimize Budget Burden

However, there may be times when your advertising budget is limited. In such cases, if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can take advantage ofwadiz’s post-settlement system. This system works by first running your ad campaign and then deducting the advertising costs from your settlement funds after the funding campaign ends. Since you can start advertising without any upfront costs, it’s particularly useful for small publishers and individual creators. This allows you to carry out proactive marketing even with a small budget.

“Opportunities” Are Made, Not Found

Currently, to expect successful book sales in bookstores, an author must either be influential or run aggressive advertising campaigns. This is an overwhelmingly difficult reality for small publishers and individuals. In this situation, the best option is “wadiz funding.”

However, simply launching a project won’t bring about significant change. You must think carefully and work hard to convey the value of your book in the most compelling way possible.Refer to the three key characteristics of successful print book funding campaigns introduced todayto further increase your project’s chances of success. wadiz cheers for more readers to connect with authors.

<WHY wadiz?> Series

[Why wadiz? #1] Why the “Aesabi” craze started on wadiz
[Why wadiz? #2] Why Direct-Import Products on wadiz Generate Sales in the Hundreds of Millions
[Why wadiz? #3] Why wadiz is a breakthrough for fine dining
[Why wadiz? #4] Why the publishing industry is flocking to wadiz
[Why wadiz? #5] Why Christmas trees sell so well on wadiz
[Why wadiz? #6] Why Print Book Funding Thrives on wadiz

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Written by Han Ji-hye, Edited by Jeon Su-yeon

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