Here are a few factors to consider when deciding whether to initially focus your publishing and sales efforts locally or overseas:

- Familiarity of topic: If your book is about local subjects like Malaysian culture, history, cuisine etc., starting local makes sense to reach interested readers. For more global topics, overseas could work too.

- Language: Selling in your native language allows local marketing appeal but limits overseas reach initially. Consider translations later once a following forms.

- Competition: Overseas like Canada, UK, US may have more competitive publishing landscapes. Local Malaysia chances are good for noteworthy local works to stand out.

- Platform support: Major international retailers support translations well. Local platforms understand payment/shipping in Malaysia best for early success.

- Promotion networks: Leverage local book clubs, libraries first as relationships grow. Global influencers come later. Have overseas publicity translated.

- Budget: Local promotions may require less upfront costs. Collection of good local reviews helps when expanding distribution abroad later on.

I'd suggest starting in Malaysia first to build a following amongst potential best customers efficiently via local awareness, then use those assets to support international growth long term. Expand gradually where interest leads. Local validation is smart.

Certainly! To create an effective signage for online sales, consider these prompts:

1. Headline: What catchy headline can you use to grab attention?
2. Product Description: Provide a detailed description of the product, highlighting its features, benefits, and any unique selling points.
3. High-Quality Images: Include visually appealing images of the product from different angles or in use.
4. Pricing and Discounts: Specify the price of the product and any ongoing promotions or discounts available.
5. Call to Action: Encourage viewers to take action by including a clear call to action, such as "Buy Now," "Shop Now," or "Add to Cart."
6. Customer Reviews: If available, include positive customer reviews or testimonials to build trust and credibility.
7. Contact Information: Provide your contact details, such as email or phone number, for any inquiries or support.
8. Social Media Links: Include links to your social media profiles to encourage viewers to connect with your brand.
9. Delivery and Shipping Information: Specify the delivery options available, estimated shipping times, and any applicable shipping fees.
10. Return Policy: Clearly state your return policy, including any conditions or restrictions.

Remember to design your signage with a clean and visually appealing layout, using fonts and colors that align with your brand. You can use digital signage software or online design tools to create professional-looking signage for online sales.

Here are some of the top online selling platforms in Malaysia for self-published books:

- Lazada - Malaysia's largest e-commerce site with over 10 million products. Lazada has a large user base and is very popular for selling all types of items, including books. Their UI focuses on localized payment and shipping options.

- Shopee - Another major Malaysian marketplace that has been growing rapidly. Shopee offers good inventory and order management tools. They cater well to local Malaysian buyers and have simple self-publishing guides.

- Awani Books - One of the largest Islamic bookstores in Malaysia with over 20 physical locations. Their online store is very robust and specializes in religious titles. This could be a good channel for faith-based books.

- Kinokuniya - A respected Asian bookseller with many brick and mortar stores in Malaysia. They have a large selection of English and bilingual books available through their Malaysian website.

- Popular Bookstore - A premier book retailer in Malaysia for over 60 years. Their e-commerce platform is optimized for finding titles related to Malaysian education, culture and interests.

- FINEO - Operated by Utusan, this platform connects self-publishers with major Malaysian book distributors and retail chains. It offers greater printing and supply chain support locally.

- EBook Malaysia - Dedicated ebook store supporting major formats. Provides Malaysian payment options and visibility in local libraries and book clubs digitally.

Focusing distribution across these top local platforms helps Malaysian authors most effectively reach their target domestic readership. Wide coverage is ideal.

Here are a few specific online booksellers you can learn best practices from through researching their platforms:

- Amazon - As the industry leader, Amazon has refined their processes extremely well. Study how they optimize book profiles, categories, customer reviews, related item suggestions, and other data-based personalization.

- Barnes & Noble - While their retail stores face challenges, their well-organized online bookstore is still a top channel. Learn from the design of their categories and book pages for optimal browsing and discovery.

- Book Depository - Owned by Amazon but known for excellent international reach and low/free shipping worldwide. Analyze targeting strategies for global audiences.

- ThriftBooks - A prominent used/remainder bookseller with great techniques for sourcing inventory cost-effectively while sustaining quality control standards.

- Alibris - With vast selection of rare/out-of-print titles, they showcase innovative ways of keeping niche works discoverable to readers despite lower sales volumes.

- College Bookstores - Platforms like Barnes & Noble College/Follett showcase merchandising tactics for serving student communities with curated course material mixes.

- Independent Booksellers - Websites of indie stores scattered worldwide exemplify personalized bookstore feel for online. Mining reader reviews/events works.

Paying close attention to top performers like these allows self-publishers to replicate engagement drivers and continually raise the bar on customer experience across all channels. Let me know if any specific area could use more analysis!

Here are some frequently asked questions I often receive about self-publishing and selling books online, along with recommendations:

Q: How do I select a category for my book?
A: Choose categories that precisely reflect your book's topic or genre. This helps customers easily find what they seek. You can also select 2-3 additional relevant sub-categories.

Q: Should I hire an editor?
A: Professional editing is highly recommended, especially for non-fiction. An editor ensures your writing is polished and errors fixed before publishing. Consider both developmental and copy editing.

Q: What file formats can I upload?
A: Most platforms accept common ebook formats like PDF, MOBI and ePub. For print, high quality PDF is standard. Check specific retailer requirements to ensure compatibility on all sales channels.

Q: How much of a sample can I provide?
A: A short sample of 1-5% of the total content is sufficient on most sites. For fiction, this means the first chapter. For non-fiction, select representative sections. Avoid revealing major plot points.

Q: How do I set up distribution?
A: Select channels like Amazon, Apple Books etc. in your publishing dashboard. They will distribute to their networks automatically. Consider print-on-demand for expanded reach through brick & mortar stores as well.

Q: What if I make edits later?
A: Simply upload corrected file versions through your publisher account. Most will automatically update for customers within a few days. Always thoroughly test files before finalizing any changes.

Let me know if you have additional queries! Proper research and preparation usually answer many self-publishing questions upfront.