Cheryl Kaye Tardif's Blog, page 2

'Share the Imajin Books Buzz' contest

July 1-31, 2015: Share our events on Twitter and Facebook, and share pics of our books on ereaders or you holding one, and receive entries into our Summer Sizzles Giveaway!

Grand prize winner: 12 free ebooks (winner’s choice). Plus 10 winners of single ebooks. Open to anyone 18+. Void where prohibited. Draw will take place the first week of August. Be sure to share it with your friends.

a Rafflecopter giveawayCheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

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Deconstructing a BookBub & KDP Countdown Promotion

A condensed version of the article below originally appeared as a guest post on BookBub's Unbound blog.
As a bestselling suspense author who has been indie published since 2003, I've learned that being flexible and open to learning and adapting to change is key to being successful in this industry, and success for a professional career author should be defined by sales and income, though there are other indicators of success.

Too many authors schedule discount sales, post a couple of Facebook posts and send out a few tweets and then complain about lack of sales. Some do many small promotions, paying for 1-2 inexpensive advertising spots each time, and again don’t see high sales. Promos like these might get your book on a Top 100 genre bestseller list on Amazon, but they’re not enough to produce high sales.

You need to understand that watering down the impact of a discount sale by doing them too often just isn’t the way to go. You’re better off saving your advertising budget for a MAJOR promotion, and by “MAJOR” I mean spending $600-1200, and running 1-2 major promos a year per title. This is an investment in your career, in your work and in you.

Today, I’ll share some stats on my last major BookBub promotion, detailing my recent experience with a BookBub promo, so that you can see what advertising on book sites can do for sales.

Organizing and setting up my promotion:

First, I selected a book that has sold well but had never been on BookBub before or priced at $0.99 for many months. I chose SUBMERGED, a standalone thriller with tie-ins to my #1 bestseller, CHILDREN OF THE FOG. When I run a promotion for one title, there is always a strong possibility that some of my other titles will see an increase in sales too.

I decided to run a Countdown/BookBub combination promo, since Countdown deals get extra exposure from Amazon, and they create a bit more excitement. I determined I would only run this promo if BookBub accepted SUBMERGED (they'd turned it down numerous times in the past), so the first thing I did was pitch my book to BookBub, letting them know that my dates were very flexible. I requested a date close to the end of the month—payday. I did not book any other ads until after I had a BookBub date.

Once my BookBub ad was secured, I used that date as Day 1 of my Countdown promo and set up both US and UK Amazons. (Since we only get one Countdown promo every 90 days, you may as well do both Amazons.) I used all 7 days because it can take a few days to get into the overall Top 100 on Amazon, and I wanted to stay there as long as possible, building momentum.

My promo for SUBMERGED was set for the last few days of October and first few days of November, from October 28 - November 3rd (evening). This worked out great because most people are paid at the end of the month. I’ve found better success when I run a promo during a payday—15th and 30th.

I priced SUBMERGED at $0.99. I selected this price as this title had only been on sale for $0.99 once before, and that was when the SUBMERGED was first published, 8 months earlier.

Then I purchased other advertising, including Kindle Nation Daily, Fussy Librarian, BookSends, Story Finds, Bargain Booksy, Digital Book Today, Ereader News Today, The Kindle Book Review and more.

5 ads ran on Day 1 (Tuesday)

4 ads ran on Day 2 (Wednesday)

2 ads ran on Day 3 (Thursday)

4 ads ran on Day 4 (Friday)

3 ads ran on Day 5 (Saturday)

2 ads ran on Day 6 (Sunday)

2 ads ran on Day 7 (Monday)

Four of the above ads were free for various reasons; 18 ads were paid. I paid a total of $1214 for 22 ads.

I also set up various tweets to go out every couple of hours at random times each day of the promotion. During the promotion, I posted various updates to my Facebook pages, creating excitement and getting my readers and fans involved in where I was in my promotion. I used screen captures to show them when I made the lists. I had screen captures that showed where my book stood in relation to other Big-Name authors.

It’s important to note that prior to this promo and during the first 27 days of October, I had only sold 26 copies of SUBMERGED across Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Results of my BookBub/Countdown promotion:

On Day 1 (Tuesday) SUBMERGED made Amazon's Top 100 overall bestseller list, which provides extra exposure to potential new readers. (This is the first time I made the Top 100 overall on the 1st day of a promo.) SUBMERGED remained in the Top 100 overall for the first 3 days of my promo. It remained in the Top 1000 overall for a week and in the Top 5000 overall for almost 2 weeks.


SUBMERGED also made Amazon.com’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, which provides extra exposure to potential new readers.

In the first 4 days of my promo (October 28-31) I sold* 2421 copies of SUBMERGED. Approx. 500 copies of SUBMERGED sold* in the first week of November (Nov 1-3). In the first 17 days of November I sold* 1000 copies of SUBMERGED. I sold* a total of 3421 copies of SUBMERGED on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk during my promo and in the 14 days afterward.

Three of my other titles’ sales increased approx. 50% during and after the time SUBMERGED was on the Countdown deal.

SUBMERGED, sold from October 28 to November 3 inclusive, was on sale for $0.99, which earned me a 70% royalty (a perk of the Countdown deals) for most, or were KOLL/KU sales. I earned $1633 for SUBMERGED sales* in October; the majority of that income was created in the last 4 days of October.

When my Countdown deal was over, SUBMERGED sold for $4.99, which also earned me 70% royalties for most. I earned approx. $3000 for SUBMERGED sales* in the first 2 weeks of November. And even after those first 2 weeks, I still saw an increase in sales of SUBMERGED. Many of my other titles continued to sell at a higher rate than before this Countdown/BookBub promo.

I earned an approx. total of $4633 for SUBMERGED sales* during my BookBub/Countdown promo and in the 2 weeks following. I averaged a royalty of $1.36/sale.* From the $4633 I earned during this promo from one single title, I paid $1214 for 22 ads, which results in a $3419 profit. If I had to split my profit with a publisher at 50%, I still would have earned $1709.50 for this one single title and I still would’ve seen a profit.

My takeaway: RUNNING A BOOKBUB PROMO WITH A SELECT COUNTDOWN DEAL WORKS! I will do this again…and again.

PS: If BookBub turns one of your books down, try, try again!

*Sales data marked with an asterisk includes Countdown sales or after-Countdown sales plus KOLL and KU.

To summarize, I put SUBMERGED (a psychological thriller) on sale for $0.99 via a KDP Countdown deal on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk from October 28 to November 17, 2015, and I sold 3421 copies. I paid $1214 for 22 ads (including BookBub--$500 Thrillers category), leaving me with a profit of $3419.

Authors: Submit your book to BookBub, and follow a similar marketing plan if they accept your work. I am sure you'll see great results.

PS: I recently did a similar BookBub promo for my DIVINE TRILOGY, and it too was a success and sold thousands of copies during my promo--and after. Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

WILDER FLUSS von Cheryl Kaye Tardif - Jetzt zum Kennenlern-Preis für nur 1,99 €! Nur für kurze Zeit!

Nach dem Bestseller DES NEBELS KINDER ist WILDER FLUSS die zweite deutschsprachige Romanveröffentlichung der kanadischen Erfolgsautorin Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

Del dachte, dass ihr Vater schon lange tot war. Doch jemand aus ihrer Vergangenheit behauptet etwas anderes. Jetzt ist sie mit einer Gruppe ihr nahezu fremder Menschen auf einer lebensgefährlichen Mission …

Vor sieben Jahren verschwanden Del Hawthornes Vater und drei seiner Freunde in der Nähe des Nahanni River und wurden für tot erklärt. Der South Nahanni River in den kanadischen Northwest Territories ist bekannt für seine Geschichten um mysteriöse Todesfälle, kopflose Leichen und Entführungen. Del ist schockiert, als ihr einer der vermissten Männer an der Universität begegnet; gealtert zwar und kaum wiederzuerkennen, aber äußerst lebendig. Was der Mann ihr sagt, scheint undenkbar: Auch ihr Vater ist noch am Leben!
Mit einer Gruppe von Freiwilligen fährt Del zum Nahanni River, um ihren Vater zu retten. Dort deckt sie eine Verschwörung unvorstellbaren Grauens auf, die uns alle zu vernichten droht. Wird die Menschheit für die Suche nach dem ewigen Leben geopfert werden?
Ab welchem Punkt werden wir zu … Gott?

http://www.amazon.de/Wilder-Fluss-Thriller-internationaler-Bestseller-ebook/dp/B00N0WF0MICheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

On SALE for only $0.99: DIVINE TRILOGY - 3 complete novels!

In this smoking hot trilogy by international bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif, CFBI Agent Jasmine (Jasi) McLellan and her team of gifted psychics take on three tough murder cases, putting their lives at risk in their search for justice and truth.

DIVINE INTERVENTION - Jasi and her team members―Psychometric Empath and profiler Ben Roberts and Victim Empath Natassia Prushenko―are joined by Brandon Walsh, the handsome but skeptical Chief of Arson Investigations. In a manhunt that takes them from Vancouver to Kelowna, Penticton and Victoria, they are led down a twisting path of sinister secrets.

DIVINE JUSTICE - CFBI Agent and Pyro-Psychic Jasi McLellan battles a serious infection that threatens to claim her life. Slipping in and out of consciousness, she remembers the Parliament Murders. One by one, members of Ontario's Parliament are disappearing, only to be found days later, disoriented and drugged. Or worse―dead. Police are stumped and the CFBI brings in a covert PSI team, agents with special psychic abilities.

DIVINE SANCTUARY - Agent Jasi McLellan and her covert team of Psychic Skills Investigators, along with Special Consultant Brandon Walsh, investigate human remains found at a polygamist cult linked to the disappearance of over a dozen people. They soon discover that something insidious lurks behind the safe haven of Sanctuary's wrought iron gates.

"Sci-fi and mystery fans will love this…" —Writer's Digest

"A powerfully-written chill ride that will give you nightmares. Best to keep the lights on." ―Rick Mofina, bestselling author of In Desperation

“Fast-paced action from cover to cover!" —Dale Mayer, international bestselling author of the Psychic Vision series

http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Trilogy-Cheryl-Kaye-Tardif-ebook/dp/B00PZGT424

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divine-Trilogy-Cheryl-Kaye-Tardif-ebook/dp/B00PZGT424Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Excerpt from E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION, an Imajin Qwickies novella

Chapter One
The Grim Reaper often came knocking when it was unexpected. That was something Eileen Edwards had figured out years ago. So when the phone on her desk rang at just after eight in the morning on Sunday, February 8th, she knew it wouldn’t be good news. “Call from Law-ree Nor-man,” the androgynous call display voice told her.Constable Larry Norman was a detective in Vancouver’s Gang Task Force—and her former partner.Eileen picked up the phone and grimaced as a twinge of pain shot through her right hand. “Sorry I can’t come to the phone right now. Please leave your name and—”“Really, Eileen? Is that the best you can do?”“—after the beep. Beeeep.”There was a slight pause. Then Larry said, “You done?”She sighed and adjusted her reading glasses. “I hope this is a crank call.”“I need a favor. I need you to find a street kid named Zipper.”“You do know this is Family Day weekend and my first weekend off in forever.”“But you’re already up and working anyway,” Larry said.Eileen leaned back in the chair and glanced across the room. The white letters on the glass door of the office reminded her that E.Y.E. Spy Investigations had bills to pay. “How do you know? Maybe you woke me.”Larry chuckled. “You’re in your office. I can hear your printer gasping for breath in the background.”She glared at the hefty, aging machine that was busy groaning and vomiting up paper like Linda Blair puking up pea soup. Maybe the printer needed an exorcism. Papers scattered on the floor told her she’d forgotten to extend the catch tray again. Another sheet shot out, and she caught it before it hit the floor with the others.“You know, you should really trade that antique in for a modern printer,” Larry said. “Maybe one built after 1990.”“It works fine. Now what’s so important about this Zippy kid?”“Zipper.”“What did he do—kill someone?”“No, the opposite. We think he witnessed a murder.” “Poor kid.” She sighed. “What do you know about him?”“Not much. He’s about fourteen. No priors. His mother is dead. Father unknown. He’s not a big kid—wears a Canucks cap and gets around by skateboard.”Eileen scribbled notes on the back of the paper. “What’s his real name?”“No idea. He was raised by the street. Everyone calls him Zipper.”She frowned. “Is he a prostitute?”“No. He’s just fast on a skateboard.”“Then they should have called him Zippy. Tell me about the murder.”“You know I’m not supposed to talk about an active GTF investigation.”“I need to know what I’m dealing with.”“Okay,” Larry said, lowering his voice, “but you didn’t hear this from me.”“Hear what?”
Pre-order E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION today! http://getBook.at/EYEScorpionCheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Pre-order E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION for only $2.99

Launching Imajin Books’ new Imajin Qwickies™ imprint, international bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif introduces us to her E.Y.E. Spy Mystery series with Book 1, E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION…

When Eileen Edwards, a former-cop-turned-PI, is given the task to find a missing street kid named Zipper, she has no idea what she has let into her life. Not only did the boy witness a murder, he’s now being hunted by at least one motorcycle gang. Finding Zipper is the easy part; keeping him alive is the challenge.

As a killer prowls the streets of Vancouver looking for the kid, Eileen discovers that Zipper not only can’t remember what he saw, he’s also hiding a shocking secret. With the assistance of Constable Larry Norman from Eileen’s old Gang Task Force unit, she helps to expose a ruthless killer, and in the process, Eileen learns that sometimes one must let go of the past in order to move forward.

Reserve your copy at Amazon today! http://getbook.at/EYEScorpionCheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

FOR SALE: Executive Bungalow in Tamarack (SE Edmonton) Only $609,900

Welcome to your new home!Previously owned and designed by a bestselling author and built in 2010, this four-year-old Executive 4-bedroom-plus-den bungalow has over 3200 sq. ft. of living space on one of the largest lots in Tamarack/Meadows, central A/C throughout, air circulation system, tankless hot water system, water filtration and softener system, in-floor heating in basement & garage, an abundance of storage space on both levels and a separate entrance to lower level. Gas BBQ line and shedA wrap-around deck with zero-maintenance composite decking, glass panels, aluminum rails and a gas barbecue hookup is perfect for outdoor entertaining and surrounds a 5-person hot tub with stereo, lights and lid, plus there’s plenty of room for outdoor furniture. Enjoy a glass of wine on your deck, while neighbors admire your fully fenced, oversized backyard that is fully landscaped with shrubs and trees, brick trim and a large shed.
Deck to oversized backyardThe insulated triple car garage with in-floor heating, drain, built-in work bench & shelves plus 4 upper storage areas is perfect for your vehicles and toys, and there’s room for 2 more vehicles in the driveway. This house has one neighbor on left, a walking path on right and backs on to walking paths and grassy areas.
All rooms (except bath & laundry) include TV cable, phone and internet outlets.
Includes all window coverings except sheers and toppers in master bedroom.
Access to Whitemud and Anthony Henday highways, transit, shopping centers, and new Meadows rec centre.
*By appointment only. Serious, qualified buyers only. No realtors looking for real estate to sell.
3715-14 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6T 0H9
Contact:Cheryl or Marc Tardifmctardif@shaw.ca 

Features of this Spectacular Home
Main floor:
The main floor (1650 sq. ft.) features an open kitchen, dining and living room concept with 10’ ceiling, lots of natural light, a gas fireplace, ceiling fan and high-grade laminate flooring that looks like hardwood.
The kitchen is perfect for the home chef and features maple cupboards/drawers (some with slide-out shelves) in a cherry wood stain, a massive kitchen island, garburator, extra-large sink, granite counters and ceramic tile backsplash that ties in to fireplace tiles. Two pantries provide extra storage space.
Open Kitchen/Dining & Living Room LG appliance package includes: oversized steam washer & steam dryer, microwave, dishwasher, Ceran-top stove with convection oven, and double-door refrigerator with lower freezer and filtered/softened ice/water from dispenser on front door.
Master bedroom w. walk-in closet and en suiteThe spacious master bedroom with ceiling fan gives you plenty of room and will easily fit a king-size bed and other furniture. The en-suite bathroom features an oversized ceramic tile & glass shower, a large granite counter with sink and upper and lower cabinets, plus a separate granite makeup counter.
Main floor full bathroom for guests w. solar tube lightFor your guests, the main floor bathroom features a tub/shower combo and a solar tube for natural light during the day.

Main floor laundry room with LG Steam Washer/DryerThe large main floor laundry room has a tiled floor, large sink, single door fridge/freezer, plenty of extra counter, cupboards and drawers. This room has been mistaken for a kitchen, it’s that big!
Office (or another bedroom) on main floorA bright den/office has plenty of storage space in the workstation counter/drawers and in the two wide side-by-side closets. This room is sure to inspire anyone who works from home. If an office doesn’t appeal to you, this room could be easily converted into a bedroom or sitting room.
This house features a built-in vacuum system with 2 complete vacuum accessory packages, plus 3 vacuum pans in kitchen, laundry room and master bathroom.
Lower floor/basement:
The lower level/basement (1600 sq. ft.) is completely finished and features a 9’ ceiling and an extra-large family room with artistic shelves & niches along one wall and deluxe carpeting.
Three bedrooms (one with a walk-in closet and sliding pocket door to bathroom, and another with 2 large closets—one with shelves and drawers), mechanical room, storage under the stairs and a small room that could be used for storage or as a sitting, reading or craft room. A separate entrance leads outside.
The oversized full bathroom features an oversized L-shaped counter with makeup area, sink, walk-in shower and a large closet for storage.
*The lower level could be renovated as a 2-3 bedroom in-law or rental suite.
MORE PHOTOS:
Chef's dream kitchen Kitchen w. LG appliance package Main pantry in kitchen Second pantry door
Dining room and kitchen Kitchen/living/dining room Kitchen/living/dining room Space for a china cabinet or shelf! Living room Living room Master bedroom
Master bedroom w. walk-in closet and en suite Master walk-in closet & en suite bathroom Make-up counter in master en suite Master en suite Massive master en suite shower for 2! Tons of storage in the office! Hall 1 Hall 2 Main floor laundry w. LG Steam Washer/Dryer

This laundry room has been mistaken for a kitchen! Tons of storage space in laundry room plus extra fridge/freezer. Main floor laundry room - extra fridge/freezer Main floor full bathroom Main floor full bath Main floor full bath Hot tub on deck (dog not included with sale) Backyard party, anyone?More pics coming soon!
*By appointment only. Serious, qualified buyers only. No realtors looking for real estate to sell.
3715-14 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6T 0H9
Contact:Cheryl or Marc Tardifmctardif@shaw.ca Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

$0.99 SALE! SWEET & SENSUAL Bundle - 6 Complete Romance Novels

Need a little romance in your life?

Check out this $0.99 deal:

SWEET & SENSUAL, 6 complete romance novels by Catherine Astolfo, Alison Bruce, Melodie Campbell, Author, Kat Flannery, Author, Chris Redding and Author Cheryl Kaye Tardif...

US readers: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Sensual-R...

UK readers: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweet-Sensual...

With a list price total of nearly $24.00 US and over 340 reviews on Amazon.com, SWEET & SENSUAL is a value-packed romance bundle of complete novels that takes you from romantic suspense to historical romance to fantasy romance all set in captivating worlds that will leave you wanting more.Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Night Owl Reviews hosts their annual Winter Wonderland Event

Join us this holiday season for the Winter Wonderland Event, hosted annually by Night Owl Reviews, and you could win some fabulous prizes via their Rafflecopter giveaway.

Prizes:

5 = $100 Amazon Gift Cards

5 = $50 Amazon Gift Cards

18 = $25 Amazon Gift Cards

Visit Night Owl Reviews' website and Like them on Facebook.

Rafflecopter giveawayCheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

25 Days of Christmas Event 2014

This Christmas, great things come in fours! 
Join Imajin Books and our authors for our annual event, which includes a Kindle Fire Giveaway (Dec 1-25), Paperback Sale (Dec 1-7) & an eBook Sale (Dec 24-Jan 7th).*  Kindle Fire HD Giveaway - Dec 1-25 - Enter via our Facebook page.

*  Paperback Sale - Dec 1-7 - Check out our paperbacks HERE.

*  eBook Sale - Dec 24 - Jan 7 - Check out our ebooks HERE. 

 * Special eBook Bundle Sale: DEADLY DOZEN (Dec 6-12); SWEET & SENSUAL (Dec 23-29); DIVINE TRILOGY (TBA) Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!