Empowering Independent Authors: The Vision Behind Focus On Words
In a world where independent authors often feel overshadowed by traditional publishing houses and third-party platforms, one Charlotte startup is rewriting the narrative. Focus On Words, founded by Django De Gree, II, is on a mission to give authors back their earning potential and marketing control.
A Personal Journey to Change the Industry
After selling his own book through a third-party digital platform and pocketing a mere $150 for 77 books after a frustrating nine-month wait, Django De Gree experienced firsthand the challenges faced by authors. This encounter sparked the idea behind Focus On Words, a platform designed to enable authors not just to sell directly to consumers, but to also provide them with essential tools and insights into their marketing strategies.
Django stated, "Around 90% of authors don’t sell more than 250 books over the life of their book, but we see authors spending thousands of dollars trying to make their book successful.” The publishing industry often fails to provide the timely data that authors need to make informed decisions, leaving them in the dark.
A Revolutionary Payment Model
At Focus On Words, authors can expect to see a dramatic shift in their earning experience. Unlike traditional practices that delay payments for months, this innovative platform processes payments in just 72 hours, allowing authors to make timely marketing decisions. Instead of the usual 5-50% royalties, authors can earn 85-90% on their sales, empowering them to reinvest in their work strategically.
Django elaborated, “If you were actually able to get all of the money and then make strategic decisions about where you spent that money… suddenly the author is empowered to do more with their book.”
Building an Author-Centric Ecosystem
In only a short time since its public launch in February, Focus On Words has grown from 300 to 800 users, showcasing its increasing popularity. Authors can create free profiles on the platform, allowing them to start selling their books immediately and enjoying higher royalty rates. The premium membership option, available for $20 a month or $200 a year, offers an incredible 90% royalty rate, plus access to valuable analytics that help them understand their customer acquisition costs.
One of the most generous aspects of Focus On Words is how the platform runs targeted ads on behalf of authors, providing valuable attribution data. "Our customer is the author," emphasized De Gree, "and we’re trying to help them figure out how to sell their next book."
Direct Sales and Beyond
Unlike traditional retailers, Focus On Words also recognizes that authors want their books featured prominently within physical and virtual shelves. As a direct-to-consumer platform, it empowers authors to establish their presence in an online bookstore, enhancing chances for visibility and sales.
For those who already sell on larger platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, Focus On Words serves as a convenient link tree alternative, offering independence without commitment. "We want to empower the author in whatever ways we can," said De Gree, aiming to facilitate income generation through versatile selling options.
Looking Ahead: Innovative Enhancements
Focus On Words has successfully raised pre-seed funding, and De Gree recently showcased their vision at CED’s Venture Connect event in Raleigh. As the startup continues to evolve, plans are underway to integrate social features into the platform, with future considerations including a brick-and-mortar bookstore dedicated to independent authors in Charlotte.
Quick Bits
- Startup: Focus On Words
- Founder: Django De Gree, II
- Founded: 2023
- Team Size: 9
- Location: Charlotte
- Website: Focus On Words
- Funding: Raised pre-seed
Django’s commitment to understanding authors’ needs has been essential to the success of Focus On Words. "If someone says I don’t understand them, I need to drive to better understand them," he expressed, highlighting the importance of dialogue with authors to foster a supportive community.
Join the Movement
If you’re an aspiring author or you are looking for a platform to empower your writing journey, visit Focus On Words today. The future of publishing is changing, and with innovative platforms like Focus On Words leading the charge, it’s time for authors to take their earning and marketing power back.
