Three Questions for Anna
More than 60,000 books are published in Germany every year, many of them by small and self-publishers. To ensure that these works do not get lost in the jungle of books, there are other tools for professional marketing in addition to traditional marketing measures. These include the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), which is managed by the ISBN agency and which is based in our company.
Our colleague Anna, together with her colleagues from customer service, is responsible for assigning the number. We talked to her about it and also got a few tips for people who are new to the subject.
- What is the ISBN that can be found on many books?
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is an industry standard that helps to uniquely identify books. It's like a book's fingerprint. Each ISBN is unique and this is due to its 13 numbers and the fixed structure of prefix, group number, publisher number, title number and the check digit calculated by an algorithm. When used correctly, it makes a book easier to find and simplifies processes in the publishing house and book trade. This is particularly true for ordering and stock management and helps industry participants to make their processes more efficient.
- What does your day-to-day work with the ISBN look like?
I deal with a lot of people every day, advising them on ISBN and answering their questions. There is always a new twist. The spectrum of questions ranges from self-publishers who are hearing about the number for the first time to long-standing publishers who want to manage their imprints using their own ISBN numbers. In this way, I get to know lots of different people, and in some cases learn a bit about their lives and their bookish plans. It's all there - people who want to realize their dream of a book for the first time, and also those who are completing their latest works.
With all the stories, there are always highlights. For example, I'm happy to hear from well-known names who call again because they need a new ISBN for their next book. There are also regular works and book ideas that have made me so curious privately that I keep an eye on the projects and look forward to their publication. However, I always particularly enjoy giving people from outside the industry an insight into the special process surrounding ISBNs and explaining the procedures to them. So that they can go their own way with new knowledge and ideas - Do you have any tips for newcomers to ISBN?
Always ask questions! There is the ISBN handbook, which is published by the international ISBN agency in London and contains many guidelines, e.g. when a new ISBN is required. However, if you don't deal with this all the time, it's better to simply ask people who are familiar with it. That's why we're always happy to answer questions and are happy if we can save you from making a mistake and give you some tips.
PS: By the way, you can always make us happy by writing ISBN or ISB number instead of ISBN number.
By the way: More information about the ISBN can be found here.