Missed Our Masterclass? Watch What Rights Buyers See on DropCap Marketplace
Masterclass Transcript – Lindsay Jones, CEO & Co-Founder, DropCap Marketplace
This transcript has been lightly edited to improve readability. A full video replay is available above.
Welcome to the next installment of our masterclass series. Today we're diving into what rights buyers actually see on DropCap Marketplace—a behind-the-scenes look that's especially valuable for authors who already have accounts and want to understand how rights buyers make their decisions.
As we go through this demo, please feel free to drop any questions into the chat. I'd love to hear where everyone's from, what your book is about, and whether you're a current DropCap author or considering signing up.
This masterclass will be different from our others because I'm actually going to demo the back end of our platform. You'll see exactly what a rights buyer experiences from their perspective.
How Publishers Find Books
Rights buyers discover books through several channels on our platform:
DropCap Marketplace Tools:
Advanced search and filter functionality for finding books on specific topics
Curated dashboards when they log into their accounts
Weekly pitch emails featuring books matched to their criteria
We're both reaching out to buyers proactively and providing them the tools they need to find relevant content.
First Impressions Matter
The very first thing a buyer sees is your cover and title. Just like when selling directly to readers, you need to make sure these elements grab attention and communicate professionalism.
Let me show you exactly what this looks like by walking through our platform.
The Public Marketplace Experience
Anyone can search our marketplace directly from dropcapmarketplace.com. They can use the search bar or browse categories like self-help, business, or fiction.
When browsing, buyers can filter by:
Newest releases
Popular titles
Specific genres or topics
Various other criteria
What Buyers Look for First
When a buyer clicks on a book that catches their eye, they immediately check:
Book Specifications:
Page count (translation costs are a consideration)
Trim size and format
Publication date
Overall production quality
Description and Positioning:
Clear, concise book descriptions
Bullet points for quick scanning (buyers review many books)
Awards and endorsements
Evidence the author is building an audience
Author Information:
Professional background and credentials
Website and social media presence
Previous achievements (even outside publishing)
Bio that demonstrates expertise
Remember: when buyers invest in licensing a book, they're also investing in the author. Your background, platform, and credibility all factor into their decision.
The Verified Buyer Experience
While anyone can browse our public marketplace, only verified rights buyers can access book interiors and advanced features. We vet all buyers to ensure our network consists of legitimate publishers and agents.
The Curated Dashboard
When rights buyers log into their accounts, they see a personalized dashboard with curated selections rather than being overwhelmed by our entire catalog.
Dashboard Sections:
Trending Titles: Books gaining momentum based on buyer interactions (more on this below)
Newest Titles: Recently added books matching the buyer's criteria, in order of addition
Recently Licensed: Titles that other publishers have recently acquired—this section is popular because buyers want to see what their peers are licensing, which often influences their own acquisition decisions
Advanced Search Capabilities
Logged-in buyers can search for specific niches beyond our standard categories. For example, searching "dystopia" will pull up all relevant titles, even though it's not a main category.
Additional Buyer Tools
Estimated Sales Data: We provide sales ranges (not exact numbers) to help buyers understand book performance. Having under 300 copies sold isn't a deal-breaker—it's just data that informs their offer decisions.
Downloadable Sell Sheets: Buyers can download professional sell sheets to share with their editorial teams, making it easier to get internal approval for acquisitions.
PDF Access: Verified buyers can view complete book interiors, which is crucial for their licensing decisions.
Favorites System: Buyers can save interesting titles to review later, which helps drive books into our "trending" category.
How to Get Your Book Trending
Our trending algorithm works similarly to web search algorithms—the more interactions your book receives, the more visibility it gets.
Actions that boost trending status:
Buyers clicking into your book listing
Downloading sell sheets
Viewing the interior PDF
Adding books to favorites
Time spent reviewing your listing
Ways to increase buyer engagement:
Professional, eye-catching cover design
Compelling book descriptions with bullet points
Awards and endorsements prominently displayed
Complete author information and platform details
Uploaded PDF (essential for serious consideration)
The Importance of Having Your PDF Ready
If a buyer is interested but you haven't uploaded a PDF, they can still add your book to favorites. We'll notify you that a buyer has shown interest but needs the interior sample.
However, buyers want to make decisions quickly. If they have to wait for your PDF, they might move on to other options. Upload your complete, watermarked PDF as soon as you list your book.
Proactive Outreach: Weekly Pitch Emails
Beyond buyer searches, we actively push relevant books to rights buyers through personalized weekly emails. Our algorithm matches books to buyers based on their previous acquisitions and stated interests.
These emails are highly targeted—sometimes featuring just two books, sometimes five—to avoid overwhelming buyers while ensuring high relevance. We act as each buyer's personalized book scout.
What Rights Buyers Are Saying
Here's feedback from the managing editor at Mandual Publishing House, one of India's largest nonfiction publishers:
"No one has the same book discoverability system that you have. Your platform is very convenient for us as rights buyers in India."
We built DropCap Marketplace because rights buyers were struggling to find licensable books using tools like Amazon, which aren't designed for their specific needs.
Other Ways Rights Buyers Find Books
Social Media Channels
Instagram is our most popular channel with rights buyers. We regularly feature books, with editorial selections based on what our agents believe will resonate in the market.
We also offer promotional opportunities for additional exposure through our social media channels and seasonal showcases.
Rights Guides and Catalogs
We create traditional rights guides (PDFs and online flipbooks) for buyers who prefer this familiar format. Our current Spring Seasonal Showcase provides another targeted way to present books to buyers.
International Book Fairs
Despite digital tools and year-round online meetings, book fairs remain crucial for maintaining buyer relationships and closing deals.
DropCap attends:
Frankfurt Book Fair
London Book Fair
Bologna Children's Book Fair
Beijing and Shanghai book fairs (through co-agents)
Guadalajara Book Fair
Having your book physically present at these fairs can be the final push needed to secure a licensing deal. There's something powerful about buyers being able to hold and flip through your book in person.
Key Takeaways for Authors
Optimize Your Listing:
Ensure professional cover design and compelling title
Write clear, scannable descriptions with bullet points
Include all awards, endorsements, and press coverage
Complete your author bio with relevant credentials
Upload your full, watermarked PDF immediately
Build Engagement:
The more buyers interact with your listing, the more visibility you'll get
Professional presentation encourages deeper exploration
Complete information helps buyers make faster decisions
Consider Additional Exposure:
Seasonal showcases and social media promotions
Book fair participation for targeted markets
Consistent platform building and author promotion
Remember: every element of your book listing works together to tell buyers why they should invest in licensing your work. The goal is making their decision as easy as possible while demonstrating the commercial potential of your book.
Questions and Answers
Q: How many pages should be in the PDF and should it have a watermark? A: Include your full PDF, watermarked. When you upload, you'll find directions and a link to free watermarking software. While you could upload just a sample, buyers really want to see the complete book to make licensing decisions.
Q: I have a four-book thriller series set in Italy. Should I post all four or choose the one with the most Amazon reviews? A: Post all four! Rights buyers, especially in thriller, often look for complete series. It shows them their potential publishing schedule for the next few years and gives them better planning information.
Q: I have audiobook versions of my first three books. Does this help with licensing? A: Not really. When publishers license audio rights, they create their own recordings with their preferred narrators and production teams. The same applies to translations—publishers always do their own translation work, so having existing versions doesn't influence their licensing decisions.
Ready to get your book in front of 2,700+ global rights buyers? Visit dropcapmarketplace.com .
