BOOK PROMOTION SITES--THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY WORK! > Likes and Comments

D. wrote: "Lexie, how much was your book? I've found that you can only reduce the price in the US and UK on Amazon, but a free book will be in every market. I wish Amazon would fix that."

It's 6.99 in UK and US (it's a boxset) so I didn't really want to make it absolutely free.

I agree, D. It's so disheartening. That goes for most of us as Indie authors.

During the last eight years, I've sold nearly 13.000 books, only two that are free

Lee, how do you advertise?

Yeah, Lee what's your secret?
Turned down again for a BB feature. Not giving up so will try again.

I'm all ears, Lee.

I figured I'd find you all still here lol. I've returned after a long hiatus. Looking to get back into the rhythm of being on GR. Also because I may or may not have a new book coming out soon. How's everyone been? Anything new or exciting?

Lee, I would love to know as well.

For those who have audiobooks, have you made back the money you've invested? And has anyone used or heard of Tantor Media or Podium Audio?

Also, does anyone know any companies that will set up or manage FB ads for you for a fee? A bit like Written Word Media do but ongoing and not with a huge cut. I can't get set up on FB, but it worked really well for me when I used it for a couple of weeks. (If anyone is willing and able to set up / manage my ads for a fee I would happily consider that as well.)

Hi Justin - didn't mean to push your post down by asking a million questions. :)

Lexie - that's really good!

J, good luck on the next submission. I'm sure you'll get one eventually.

Hi, Justin. Welcome back. As you can see, it's the same ole, same ole here. Writing and promoting. What's new with you? Did you take that hiatus from writing??? I know I have:)

J., we're rooting for you.

Hi Justin, welcome back.

So I ended up writing a novel then lost all the files on thy USB so I had to write it again from scratch. Took me 2 weeks, 4 days and 7 hours but I did it.

Wow

D. wrote: "Dale, his original person resurfaced. But if she bails on him again, I'll let him know."

Okay, thanks! (Sorry for the delay in replying. It's been a long several weeks.)

D. wrote: "When you reduce the price of a book on Amazon in the US, you have to reduce it separately in the UK. Sometimes I forget to do that. Also, if you're Amazon exclusive then you have to make sure it do..."

Just FYI, when I use KDP (I'm in the US), the price for all regions shows on the page. If I adjust the US price, it automatically adjusts the prices for all regions.

E.K. wrote: "For those who have audiobooks, have you made back the money you've invested?"

Nope. I've released 2 audiobooks so far, and while I have had a few (very few) sales, they haven't come close to recouping the investment.

My first one (Weasel Words) was done through ACX, and second (The Fibonacci Murders) was done through Audiobook Empire. Because the latter distributes widely, I plan to go with them for future audobooks, when I can afford them. Just on principle, I'd like to get my entire Howard County series out there in audio, and having just released Rooftop Sonata, the sequel to Weasel Words, I'd like to have that one in audio, too. I've already asked AE about porting Weasel Words over to their platform, which they will do, but I can't recall the details right now.

Update on my BookBub deal (which was non-US and ran on February 2nd). I now have sold a total of 601 books, including 6 on the 2 days preceding the deal, which might have happened due to the price drop on The Fibonacci Murders. Estimated royalties on those sales is $295.20, which means I'm in the black! Okay, only by $15.20, but still...

It looks like I got enough of a tail to keep books selling at a low rate for the whole month. From February 10th on, there were 11 days (about half the time) when I sold nothing, but on the other 11 days, I got between 1 and 3 sales per day.

Next time I get one of these, I'll have to try to stack on some other promos. The problem is, the timing is tricky. Time time around, buy the time I knew when my BB promo was going to run, I didn't have much time to get anything else into the mix.

This is really nice, Dale. Here's to lots more sales.

Dale wrote: "E.K. wrote: "For those who have audiobooks, have you made back the money you've invested?"

Nope. I've released 2 audiobooks so far, and while I have had a few (very few) sales, they haven't come c..."

Thanks. Hope they get more traction soon.

Dale wrote: "Update on my BookBub deal (which was non-US and ran on February 2nd). I now have sold a total of 601 books, including 6 on the 2 days preceding the deal, which might have happened due to the price ..."

Very good tail. :)

Dale doin work

Does anyone know where I can find free beta readers? I'm looking for 2 people that could read Nightshade Station my 66k psychological crime thriller and horror novel.

Justin wrote: "Does anyone know where I can find free beta readers? I'm looking for 2 people that could read Nightshade Station my 66k psychological crime thriller and horror novel."

There's a group I'm on in Facebook that might oblige - they really read British crime fiction but there might be some interest. Would you like me to ask if I can?

Sure, I'd like that thanks Lexie. Wouldn't hurt to ask

Thank you, all!

Justin wrote: "Sure, I'd like that thanks Lexie. Wouldn't hurt to ask"

Right-ho!

E.K. wrote: "Lee, I would love to know as well.

For those who have audiobooks, have you made back the money you've invested? And has anyone used or heard of Tantor Media or Podium Audio?

Also, does anyone kno..."
Tantor Media have released four of my books (cozy mystery, light paranormal- the sidekick is a ghost). I just received my first royalty statement. Sales are really not great (yet), but they don’t usually do marketing. I might never out-earn the advance.

Carmen wrote: "E.K. wrote: "Lee, I would love to know as well.

For those who have audiobooks, have you made back the money you've invested? And has anyone used or heard of Tantor Media or Podium Audio?

Also, do..."
What happens if you don't out-earn the advance?

Lexie wrote: "Carmen wrote: "E.K. wrote: "Lee, I would love to know as well.

For those who have audiobooks, have you made back the money you've invested? And has anyone used or heard of Tantor Media or Podium A..."

Nothing. The money’s still mine. I hope sales will pick up though, so they’ll continue with the series.

My book tour with LBT has just finished. I had a few great reviews from bloggers and a few people express interest....but my sales have been flat since the boycotts were announced. It's my first time working with them, so maybe some of the bloggers may still pick up the next book in the series a little later, but I am not counting on it.

I have a St Patrick's day short sale for the book out featuring my Irish protagonist for the 13th-19th, but it's now in the period that groups are looking to specifically boycott Amazon.

I'm not sure if putting in more advertising/marketing money will help or not. Very uncertain right now.

It still sounds like a great effort Theresa. at least you have a few early reviews to start with.

Justin wrote: "It still sounds like a great effort Theresa. at least you have a few early reviews to start with."

Thanks Justin. The tour was great,and I would probably use them again. Recently, I know several Indie authors I've talked to (especially American ones) have reported very few to no sales. I'm not sure if others here have noticed the same.

Hello, Friends... Heathcliff is back! Ever wonder how Heathcliff got so filthy rich? My historical mystery, THE JOURNEY OF THE SNAKE, reveals what Emily Brontë never did in WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Set in Charleston in 1781. I'd love reviews if anyone is interested. Kindly DM me.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Hi all,
Curious about recent sales events at various retailers.
I'm not sure if anyone else here uses D2D for distribution but I do and I find a lot to like about the way they treat authors.
Recently they allowed authors to opt in to a sale week at Smashwords. This is something I've done a few times in the past but this is the first time that I did not sell a single book. So, wondering what happened.
Meanwhile I was notified that both Apple and Kobo were going to do week long sales, did I want to opt in. Which I have, one book only. Wondering now if this is a new trend or what is going on. Anyone else seeing these retailers lining up sales and do they work? I don't know if I'll get in to either of these later sales as they have to accept any books before they are included. Just trying to figure things out and hope to hear from others here.

I have over 80 books and have also been notified about Kobo, Apple and Smashwords (which seemed to be a semi-regular occurrence)

I took part in yesterday’s Stuff Your Kindle Crime Edition, with a stand-alone (cozyish vigilante whydunnit, that I’ve never promoted). 1500 downloads at zero cost for me.
I have one reviewer who wrote “A horrible book, avoid at all cost”. She didn’t like reading about a killer who doesn’t get caught. I do hope she never claps eyes on Murder on the Orient Express .

There are beta reader groups here on GR.

Rewarding ad via eReaderIQ. Sold 600+ books and thus far 6000+ page reads. Definitely made a profit. New book comes out this week.

I've been MIA so long because my husband died a few months ago. Settling an estate is time consuming and sad. Hope to be back on more often.

G.G. wrote: "Rewarding ad via eReaderIQ. Sold 600+ books and thus far 6000+ page reads. Definitely made a profit. New book comes out this week.

I've been MIA so long because my husband died a few months ago. S..."

I’m so sorry to hear about your husband!
The ereaderIQ update is amazing though. Which book did you promote? (And fingers crossed for your new release!)

So sorry, G.G.! I hope you have help and support.

Good sale. How much was the book and what genre?

Good one, Carmen:)

G.G., I'm so sorry to hear about your dear loss. Like has been stated, I hope you have all the support you should have.

And wow, 600+ books sold. Impressive!

So sorry for your loss, G.G.

G.G. sorry to hear about your loss.

G.G., I'm so sorry for your loss.

G.G. I am sorry for your loss. Best wishes during this difficult time.

I am glad to hear you had such a good experience with ereaderiq. It sounds like an amazing success.

So sorry to hear your sad news, G.G.

Thank you all for your kind wishes. I do so appreciate it.

As to the book promo, i used eReaderIQ Book Bassett. I think it is their newsletter. They were offering a five book promo. I offered for free the debut book in both my series and two others for $1.99.

The page reads are more than 8000 now and modest sales continue. I'm very pleased. My cozy series did better than the thriller series but both did well.

Made back my initial cost many times.

I had to bookmark this group to be able to find it. Question for everyone. Have you tried using Amazon's Audible AI voice for an audiobook? What did you think? Is anyone selling audiobooks?

I have radial nerve impingement in my right wrist and have to wear a brace. Painful. Hard to type one handed. Supposed to take 3-6 months to heal!

OMG! D., that long. Wishing you all the best on your healing process.

Thanks, Groovy!

D. wrote: "I had to bookmark this group to be able to find it. Question for everyone. Have you tried using Amazon's Audible AI voice for an audiobook? What did you think? Is anyone selling audiobooks?

I have..."
Oh, that's frustrating!

I have three audiobooks out, saving up for each of them, but I'd rather save up and have a human do it than use AI. I'm planning to do one of my series myself but my voice would be wrong for the other ones.

Speaking of speaking, have you tried dictation software while your hand's bad?