Allan Krummenacker's Blog - Posts Tagged "amazon"
A Little About Marketing and Distribution...
Okay, as you all know my first book is out. "The Bridge" is available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, I-Tunes, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, Createspace, and a bunch of other places. How did I do it? And how are the sales coming so far? Are probably what you are asking at this point. Well, I'll be honest, the sales are going slowly. The book has only been out maybe 2 weeks and during that time it took over a week for it to appear on a number of those sites. But that's no excuse. It is definitely out there, so why aren't more people buying it right away? The answer is simple, "They don't know it's out there!"
Now here's where we get into today's discussion. I'll briefly answer the first question "How did I get it in so many places?" Then we'll address how I'm going about to correct the problem of getting the word out.
Now I published my novel both in e-book form and trade paperback for those who prefer being able to hold a book in their hands and turn the pages. I did this by going to Smashwords for all the e-book formats that are NOT Kindle readers (Ibooks, Sony readers, Nook, Kobo and others). Smashwords gave me the option of where to distribute their formats and I chose all those I mentioned, plus they also made it available to libraries and e-book form.
Then I went to Createspace to make it ready and available for Kindle (which automatically got it on Amazon) and also for Print-On-Demand to have the Trade Paperback version available. Now, I also paid an extra $25.00 for the Expanded Distribution which is how I got the book to be available on-line with Barnes and Noble and other bookstores, even overseas. So, that part was actually pretty easy. Amazon also offers a KDP Select program which I did not opt for because the book was already out in Smashwords and I would have to make it unavailable for 90 days while KDP Select had the exclusive distribution rights. I could make it available again in Smashwords and their distributers afterwards, but that didn't feel right to me on this occasion. I might try it next time
But, getting back to "Getting The Word Out..." This is the harder part folks and I strongly recommend you get a good marketing plan in mind and underway BEFORE your book comes out. First, networking on the internet. Use the social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, Pinterest, etc. to establish your presence and let people know who you are. Don't just talk about yourself though. Be active in discussions and participate in other's promotions or questions. This way the other participants get to know you and what you're like. Help promote their works and books and they will be happy to do the same in return when yours comes out.
Create a blog and get yourself known to more people that way too. Write about something you're interested in (reading, cover art, hobbies you have) something to let people get to know you and become more intrigued by you.
Also, if you're like me and have no history of writing, maybe you can write some articles for your local newspaper (I've not done this yet, but it's been suggested to me and I'm looking into it).
Get yourself on Goodreads.com, review other peoples books and set up a presence there. And when you're book is ready to come out check out free advertising or promoting groups on the internet. I'm trying a new one called AskDavid.com to help promote my book. There's dozens of ways of getting the word out over the internet. But you can't stop there. You can do more locally to get the word out.
This coming week I'm going to be contacting local radio stations to see who does interviews with authors, I'll be sending out press releases to the newspapers and TV news stations in my area. I'm going to be talking to the local libraries about getting my book on their shelves and maybe giving talks. I also plan on getting business cards with my info and where people can find my books online. There are local independent bookstores I'll be approaching to see if they are interested in carrying my novel by ordering some through Createspace or on consignment.
You also need to get reviews done on your book. Goodreads is a good way to do it, or you can offer free downloads to select people who promise to write reviews of your book in return over the internet.
There's probably a bunch of other ways I haven't even thought of yet. If you know of some or have suggestions, please leave them in comments section below. We all want to get our work out there and by pooling and sharing our info, we can help each other make it as authors with good followings. But you have to get the word out first, for without that "How can anyone even know you have a book out?"
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments. Keep writing everyone.
Now here's where we get into today's discussion. I'll briefly answer the first question "How did I get it in so many places?" Then we'll address how I'm going about to correct the problem of getting the word out.
Now I published my novel both in e-book form and trade paperback for those who prefer being able to hold a book in their hands and turn the pages. I did this by going to Smashwords for all the e-book formats that are NOT Kindle readers (Ibooks, Sony readers, Nook, Kobo and others). Smashwords gave me the option of where to distribute their formats and I chose all those I mentioned, plus they also made it available to libraries and e-book form.
Then I went to Createspace to make it ready and available for Kindle (which automatically got it on Amazon) and also for Print-On-Demand to have the Trade Paperback version available. Now, I also paid an extra $25.00 for the Expanded Distribution which is how I got the book to be available on-line with Barnes and Noble and other bookstores, even overseas. So, that part was actually pretty easy. Amazon also offers a KDP Select program which I did not opt for because the book was already out in Smashwords and I would have to make it unavailable for 90 days while KDP Select had the exclusive distribution rights. I could make it available again in Smashwords and their distributers afterwards, but that didn't feel right to me on this occasion. I might try it next time
But, getting back to "Getting The Word Out..." This is the harder part folks and I strongly recommend you get a good marketing plan in mind and underway BEFORE your book comes out. First, networking on the internet. Use the social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, Pinterest, etc. to establish your presence and let people know who you are. Don't just talk about yourself though. Be active in discussions and participate in other's promotions or questions. This way the other participants get to know you and what you're like. Help promote their works and books and they will be happy to do the same in return when yours comes out.
Create a blog and get yourself known to more people that way too. Write about something you're interested in (reading, cover art, hobbies you have) something to let people get to know you and become more intrigued by you.
Also, if you're like me and have no history of writing, maybe you can write some articles for your local newspaper (I've not done this yet, but it's been suggested to me and I'm looking into it).
Get yourself on Goodreads.com, review other peoples books and set up a presence there. And when you're book is ready to come out check out free advertising or promoting groups on the internet. I'm trying a new one called AskDavid.com to help promote my book. There's dozens of ways of getting the word out over the internet. But you can't stop there. You can do more locally to get the word out.
This coming week I'm going to be contacting local radio stations to see who does interviews with authors, I'll be sending out press releases to the newspapers and TV news stations in my area. I'm going to be talking to the local libraries about getting my book on their shelves and maybe giving talks. I also plan on getting business cards with my info and where people can find my books online. There are local independent bookstores I'll be approaching to see if they are interested in carrying my novel by ordering some through Createspace or on consignment.
You also need to get reviews done on your book. Goodreads is a good way to do it, or you can offer free downloads to select people who promise to write reviews of your book in return over the internet.
There's probably a bunch of other ways I haven't even thought of yet. If you know of some or have suggestions, please leave them in comments section below. We all want to get our work out there and by pooling and sharing our info, we can help each other make it as authors with good followings. But you have to get the word out first, for without that "How can anyone even know you have a book out?"
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments. Keep writing everyone.
BIG SALE THIS WEEKEND AT AMAZON.COM
****1/2 OFF SALE AT AMAZON****
Both books in my Para-Earth series "THE SHIP" and "THE BRIDGE" are available for Kindle at Amazon for $1.49 each, 1/2 off the regular asking price of $2.99.
See where it all begins in "THE BRIDGE" (18 reviews, 4-5 stars) where reluctant psychic Alex Hill, his police officer girlfriend Veronica Ross, and their friends Cassandra Elliott and Julie Cloudfoot are drawn into a strange mystery. IT all begins with a car crash and two dead teens but culminates at a stone bridge which hols a secret dating back to the time of the Paleo Indians who Julie is distantly related.
The adventures continue in "THE SHIP" (4-reviews, all 5 stars) where Julie and Cassandra come to Santa Cruz to start a loving relationship with one another, only to find themselves facing a new threat. A legendary ghost ship has arisen from the sea and marked Cassandra as it's next target. Now the two women must ,fight to stay together, but unknown to either they are also being stalked by an old enemy who has followed them from ""THE BRIDGE".
The regular price for either book is $2.99, but now you have until Monday to get either one at $1.49. Or you can get both for $2.98, still less then than the regular asking price of just one.
Get a copy for yourself or a friend, Amazon does sell e-books as a gift. And if you're still not sure, you can take a sample the novel at Amazon so don't wait. Take advantage now, because this sale will be over on Monday.
So take advantage get to know the expanding worlds of the Para-Earth Series. The third book will be coming out this December!
Just click on the link below and it will take you to my Amazon Author Page where you can find both books.
*PLEASE REMEMBER this sale ends on Monday so please SHARE this link with everyone you know who loves the paranormal so they can take advantage too!
http://www.amazon.com/Allan-Krummenac...
LIMITED TIME LEFT! HALF OFF BOTH BOOKS IN "THE PARA-EARTH SERIES"!
WELCOME TO THE PARA-EARTH SERIES...
When I started writing, I wanted to create something new and different. Something that could become an ongoing seriese, with recurring and new characters that would take the reader's imagination to new places and introduce new concepts. The result was the Para-Earth Series: a unique blend of horror, paranormal mystery, with a sci-fi twist that would make the Twilight Zone proud.
Through these tales, I introduce both my characters and the audience to a whole new vision of Parallel Earths unlike anything you've seen before. I hope you'll join me on this journey as together we discover beings and realities found only in dreams. The door is open and you are always welcome...
****UNTIL MIDNIGHT MONDAY JUNE 9TH YOU CAN GET EITHER OF THESE TITLE FOR JUST $1.49, half off the usual asking price of $2.99. Or you can get both for $2.98****
BOOK 1 "THE BRIDGE"
Something waits...
Alex Hill buried his psychic talents for eighteen year. But with with scream of tires and twisting metal, all this changes.
When his girlfriend, Police Sergeant Veronica Ross , is nearly run down by two teens he becomes concerned. But upon learning that both the driver and passenger of the vehicle in question, had been dead for almost twelve hours before the incident, he knows what he must do...
BOOK 2 "THE SHIP"
Every ship needs a navigator...
Cassandra Elliott is a billionaire heiress, who has just come out of the closet. She's also a powerful psychic who has seen incredible and terrifying things.
In fact just two weeks ago she and her girlfriend Julie Cloudfoot survived a terrifying experience. Fighting alongside their friends Alex Hill and Police Sergeant Veronica Ross, they faced creature from a parallel reality, where evolution had taken a decidedly different turn.
As a result of that encounter Cassie and Julie have come to Santa Cruz, California to bury Julie's uncle who fell to the creature. They've also come to see if their new romantic relationship will work out. Unknown to either of them an old adversary has followed them.
A white-haired man in a flowing black cape is lurking inside an old wrecked ship. He has plans for Cassandra and will need her soon, but until then he must keep her safe. However, a new threat appears, a legendary ghost ship arises from the sea and marks the girl as its next target.
Soon the two women find themselves fighting not only for their lives, to be keep from being separated forever...
AVAILABLE IN ALL E-BOOK FORMATS:
KINDLE: amazon.com/author/allankrummenacker
NOOK, SONY E-READER, APPLE, PDF OR E-PUB FORMATS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/byse...
*PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW SO THEY TOO CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER!*
THANK YOU AND HAPPY READING.
When I started writing, I wanted to create something new and different. Something that could become an ongoing seriese, with recurring and new characters that would take the reader's imagination to new places and introduce new concepts. The result was the Para-Earth Series: a unique blend of horror, paranormal mystery, with a sci-fi twist that would make the Twilight Zone proud.
Through these tales, I introduce both my characters and the audience to a whole new vision of Parallel Earths unlike anything you've seen before. I hope you'll join me on this journey as together we discover beings and realities found only in dreams. The door is open and you are always welcome...
****UNTIL MIDNIGHT MONDAY JUNE 9TH YOU CAN GET EITHER OF THESE TITLE FOR JUST $1.49, half off the usual asking price of $2.99. Or you can get both for $2.98****
BOOK 1 "THE BRIDGE"
Something waits...
Alex Hill buried his psychic talents for eighteen year. But with with scream of tires and twisting metal, all this changes.
When his girlfriend, Police Sergeant Veronica Ross , is nearly run down by two teens he becomes concerned. But upon learning that both the driver and passenger of the vehicle in question, had been dead for almost twelve hours before the incident, he knows what he must do...
BOOK 2 "THE SHIP"
Every ship needs a navigator...
Cassandra Elliott is a billionaire heiress, who has just come out of the closet. She's also a powerful psychic who has seen incredible and terrifying things.
In fact just two weeks ago she and her girlfriend Julie Cloudfoot survived a terrifying experience. Fighting alongside their friends Alex Hill and Police Sergeant Veronica Ross, they faced creature from a parallel reality, where evolution had taken a decidedly different turn.
As a result of that encounter Cassie and Julie have come to Santa Cruz, California to bury Julie's uncle who fell to the creature. They've also come to see if their new romantic relationship will work out. Unknown to either of them an old adversary has followed them.
A white-haired man in a flowing black cape is lurking inside an old wrecked ship. He has plans for Cassandra and will need her soon, but until then he must keep her safe. However, a new threat appears, a legendary ghost ship arises from the sea and marks the girl as its next target.
Soon the two women find themselves fighting not only for their lives, to be keep from being separated forever...
AVAILABLE IN ALL E-BOOK FORMATS:
KINDLE: amazon.com/author/allankrummenacker
NOOK, SONY E-READER, APPLE, PDF OR E-PUB FORMATS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/byse...
*PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW SO THEY TOO CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER!*
THANK YOU AND HAPPY READING.
THIS WEEK ONLY .99 CENT SPECIAL ON BOTH MY BOOKS...
FROM NOW UNTIL MIDNIGHT AUGUST 10th...
Both books in my Para-Earth Series are just .99 cents a piece. "THE BRIDGE" and "THE SHIP" have earned multiple 4 and 5 star reviews on both Amazon and Smashwords, and you can sample both books at either site for free.
*PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW SO THEY TOO CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER!*
BOOK 1 "THE BRIDGE"
Something waits...
Alex Hill buried his psychic talents for eighteen year. But with with scream of tires and twisting metal, all this changes.
When his girlfriend, Police Sergeant Veronica Ross , is nearly run down by two teens he becomes concerned. But upon learning that both the driver and passenger of the vehicle in question, had been dead for almost twelve hours before the incident, he knows what he must do...
BOOK 2 "THE SHIP"
Every ship needs a navigator...
Cassandra Elliott is a billionaire heiress, who has just come out of the closet. She's also a powerful psychic who has seen incredible and terrifying things.
In fact just two weeks ago she and her girlfriend Julie Cloudfoot survived a terrifying experience. Fighting alongside their friends Alex Hill and Police Sergeant Veronica Ross, they faced creature from a parallel reality, where evolution had taken a decidedly different turn.
As a result of that encounter Cassie and Julie have come to Santa Cruz, California to bury Julie's uncle who fell to the creature. They've also come to see if their new romantic relationship will work out. Unknown to either of them an old adversary has followed them.
A white-haired man in a flowing black cape is lurking inside an old wrecked ship. He has plans for Cassandra and will need her soon, but until then he must keep her safe. However, a new threat appears, a legendary ghost ship arises from the sea and marks the girl as its next target.
Soon the two women find themselves fighting not only for their lives, to be keep from being separated forever...
BOTH ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL E-BOOK FORMATS:
KINDLE: amazon.com/author/allankrummenacker
NOOK, SONY E-READER, APPLE, PDF OR E-PUB FORMATS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/byse...
THANK YOU AND HAPPY READING.
Both books in my Para-Earth Series are just .99 cents a piece. "THE BRIDGE" and "THE SHIP" have earned multiple 4 and 5 star reviews on both Amazon and Smashwords, and you can sample both books at either site for free.
*PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW SO THEY TOO CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER!*
BOOK 1 "THE BRIDGE"
Something waits...
Alex Hill buried his psychic talents for eighteen year. But with with scream of tires and twisting metal, all this changes.
When his girlfriend, Police Sergeant Veronica Ross , is nearly run down by two teens he becomes concerned. But upon learning that both the driver and passenger of the vehicle in question, had been dead for almost twelve hours before the incident, he knows what he must do...
BOOK 2 "THE SHIP"
Every ship needs a navigator...
Cassandra Elliott is a billionaire heiress, who has just come out of the closet. She's also a powerful psychic who has seen incredible and terrifying things.
In fact just two weeks ago she and her girlfriend Julie Cloudfoot survived a terrifying experience. Fighting alongside their friends Alex Hill and Police Sergeant Veronica Ross, they faced creature from a parallel reality, where evolution had taken a decidedly different turn.
As a result of that encounter Cassie and Julie have come to Santa Cruz, California to bury Julie's uncle who fell to the creature. They've also come to see if their new romantic relationship will work out. Unknown to either of them an old adversary has followed them.
A white-haired man in a flowing black cape is lurking inside an old wrecked ship. He has plans for Cassandra and will need her soon, but until then he must keep her safe. However, a new threat appears, a legendary ghost ship arises from the sea and marks the girl as its next target.
Soon the two women find themselves fighting not only for their lives, to be keep from being separated forever...
BOTH ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL E-BOOK FORMATS:
KINDLE: amazon.com/author/allankrummenacker
NOOK, SONY E-READER, APPLE, PDF OR E-PUB FORMATS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/byse...
THANK YOU AND HAPPY READING.
