BAIPA monthly meetings are now on Zoom, with hybrid meetings (Zoom and in-person) twice a year (June and December). The Zoom links will be provided to you via email on the Friday evening before, around 9 PM.
Therefore, all non-members MUST register in advance in order to participate. However, all current BAIPA members will get the Zoom info for this session automatically.
Please scroll down to the bottom of this page if you need a non-member ticket.
The general meeting begins at 9 am, the speaker presentation is at 11 am, after Q&A, networking time, introductions & announcements.
(Click here for the schedule for the day)
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Selling Direct: How to Turn Your Author Website Into a Bookstore
Most authors treat their website as a place to point people toward Amazon. But your website can do more than link out, it can actually sell.
In this session, I’ll walk through the three real ways authors can sell books directly from their own site: linking out (simple, but you don’t own the customer), building a direct storefront with tools like WooCommerce, Shopify, or newer author-specific platforms like Curios and AMPlify, and the hybrid model that uses Amazon for discovery while your website handles relationship and repeat sales.
We’ll cover what each option actually costs in time and setup, what you get in return (margin, customer data, control), and how to pick the right one for where you are right now.
Key takeaways:
– The three real models for selling books directly, and the tradeoffs of each
– Why “linking to Amazon” and “selling direct” aren’t mutually exclusive
– What tools like WooCommerce, Shopify, and Curios actually do differently
– How to decide which approach fits your time, budget, and goals
About Our Speaker
Jeffrey Samorano is a Marketing System Architect who helps authors, coaches, and creative entrepreneurs turn scattered online efforts into cohesive marketing systems. With over 20 years of experience building and optimizing WordPress websites, sales funnels, and automation systems, he specializes in helping independent creators use their websites not just as online brochures, but as strategic sales and relationship-building tools.
Jeffrey works primarily with service-based entrepreneurs and authors who want clarity without complexity. His approach focuses on structure, reader journey, and ownership — especially the importance of email lists and direct audience relationships in a world dominated by third-party platforms.
Rather than chasing trends, Jeffrey teaches sustainable marketing systems that support long-term growth. His goal is to help creators feel confident, clear, and in control of how their work reaches the people it’s meant to serve.
