How to Start an E-Reader Business

E-books are digitized versions of paper bound books. They are distributed over the Internet through a variety of channels, both through people visiting websites on computers or wireless delivery over 3G networks, as of 2010. These e-books are read either on traditional computers (desktops and laptops), smart phones with the appropriate software, or specialized hand held e-reader devices. Some of these devices are equipped with a new technology known as e-paper, a high tech, non-backlit, screen that simulates the experience of reading regular paper as opposed to reading on a computer screen. Breaking into this business means trying to get in on the profits of this emerging market.

• 1

  Determine your technology. To succeed as an e-reader business, you will need to produce a product that has some edge over the devices already in the market. Do you have a way of making an e-reader with better performance than any of the major players? Can you produce an e-reader that is much more consumer accessible than the major players? Can you produce a sharper e-paper screen?

• 2

  Obtain any necessary product licenses you will need for your product not to infringe on patents. You will know what you need as you develop your product.

• 3

  Determine what file formats your e-reader will be able to read. Many major stores use some form of digital media protection, which prevents anyone but the purchaser from being able to read the book file. This is frequently a necessary step for publishers to allow their books to be put into a digital format, stemming from fears of book piracy. If you want your device to be able to read from a given store, you will need to negotiate an agreement with that store to get their digital protection software.

• 4

  Determine the venue for your product. You will need to decide where it will be sold. As of 2010, Amazon.com's primary focus was promoting their own e-reader, the Kindle. Barnes and Noble was only selling their own e-reader in-store: the Nook. Borders was selling third party e-readers that could access the Borders bookstore. What e-book stores you can negotiate agreements with will likely play a large role in where your product can be sold.

• 5

  Market your product in every venue you can. There are several e-readers on the market already, so your product will not be able to sell on novelty alone.