Traci M. Sanders's Blog, page 47

You might be an author if…

You’ve ever given one of your books to someone as a Christmas gift.

Just don’t be surprised when they give you another fruit cake!

 

Merry Christmas!!!

 

 

You might be an author if…

While everyone else is mingling after opening Christmas presents, you sneak away to read or write for a few minutes. (Hey, your kids are occupied by the grandparents for a while, might as well take advantage of it.)

Just kidding! Go enjoy your family while you can.

Merry Christmas!!!

 

 

You might be an author if…

You’ve ever had a certain word in your story that bugged you. So you spent hours searching for a replacement word … only to come back to the original one.

 

 

You might be an author if…

You’ve ever searched for character names on a ‘baby names’ website … and have even gone as far as researching the meaning of the name.

(CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW)

 

 

 

 

You might be an author if…

You’ve ever wanted to get rid of all previously printed copies of your book when you find ONE typo in it!

 

 

You might be an author if…

You have short links of your book sites saved for quick posting!

 

 

 

You might be a writer if…

You’ve perfected the art of … wait for it … procrastination!

 

 

You might be an author if…

You’ve ever written something so good … it made YOU cry!

 

 

Been There, Noted That

 A fascinating collection of stories

Been There, Noted That: Essays In Tribute To Life:

Observations, Inspiration, Remembrance, & Noteworthies To Share

 

This book is a beautiful and inspiring tribute to life. The author shares a collection of moving, though-provoking personal anecdotes, each with a significant theme that will make one take stock of what’s really important. Readers vicariously experience the author’s heartache, joy, and sense of regret as he relives moments of his life through these poignant tales—ones to which almost anyone can relate.

The writing is fluid and flawless. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys compelling storytelling.

 

 

Free or not free? THAT is the question!

Many authors, especially when starting out, choose to make their books available for free, in hopes of drawing in readers and reviewers–whether through promotions on KDP or giving copies to certain individuals. But does it work? My answer (opinion) is yes and no. I’ll explain.

In the course of two years in self-publishing thus far, I’ve conducted three promotions on Amazon to make my book free. I’ve also offered a Kindle Countdown promotion. Out of thousands of downloads and countless hours of promoting my deals on social media, I came away with one, maybe two reviews, and almost no subsequent sales as a result. I think I may have figured out why.

Rather than continuing to view these promotions from an author’s perspective, I began looking at it from a reader’s point of view. As an avid reader long before I was an author, this wasn’t too difficult for me. When my promotions ended, I ran an experiment.

Instead of focusing on promoting my books, I began reading like mad. I read books from multiple genres, studied the authors’ promotional efforts and methods, and their sales patterns. In this process, I learned some tips on writing page-turning fiction, and what really works to increase sales and reviews.

It’s a slow-going process, but worth it in the end. The secret to gaining reviews and sales of your books is … helping others first! Novel concept, don’t you think? (See what I did there?)

With the plethora of paperbacks and Kindle books for readers to choose from these days, the word free doesn’t really make much of an impact on your target audience. I’m not saying it doesn’t matter, or help them choose; I’m simply saying it’s not the only factor they consider when choosing a book.

So what does make the difference between tapping that one-click button and continuing to scroll? Compelling blurbs and hooks, professional book trailers, great promo banners? Again, yes and no. These things help draw attention to your books, but many authors are doing these catchy banners these days. So what’s the number one thing that gets your audience to click that button? Word of mouth. Simple but true.

Instead of focusing on getting your readers to buy your book, you must focus on building your reputation. As an Indie author, you are not really selling your books, as much as selling yourself. You are selling your opinions, thoughts, and values. Indie authors are some of the most supportive and selfless people I’ve ever met. But there are many who are all about themselves–not reciprocating reviews or even mentioning other authors. I do not swap reviews, but I do pay it forward. If someone I’ve connected with reviews my book, I make it a point to review another author’s book within that same time frame.

You don’t have to buy a fellow author’s books to support them. You can:

*follow their social media accounts

*follow and comment on their blogs

*re-tweet, LIKE, and share their posts

*send them encouraging/inspiring/funny links or memes

*share important industry info and tips with them when you run across it

*even if you don’t read their genre–comment on their covers, trailers, or blurbs

*ask for their input of your covers, trailers, and blurbs – let them know you respect their opinions

*offer to feature them on your blog or interview them

*even if you haven’t read their books–find some of their best reviews on Amazon and share them

The main reason I feel free books don’t always work is, if people have to spend their hard-earned money on something, they tend to appreciate it more. Many times, unless you have targeted a specific group of people who’ve agreed to read/review your books, they will not get to it right away. They will continue to read books by authors who have already proven their writing talents, in the minds of these readers. I will be honest, many times, unless it’s a book by an author who I already typically read, I’ve downloaded free books that I never had the desire to dive into. It’s almost as if knowing it’s free makes it less valuable or important. I can get it anytime. In contrast, if I’ve already read a book by a certain author and I enjoyed it, I am chomping at the bit to get another one. And if it’s free – I feel as if I’ve won the lottery.

Free books do work–once you have proven your writing skills in the minds of the readers. They want more! Another instance where free books work is if an author has one book, perhaps one in a series, that is perma-free, or if it’s free for a limited time if they buy one of your other books.

One way you can accomplish this without giving your books away, you can write short stories or poems and share them on social media. These are free, to the author and the reader. It doesn’t cost the author anything to post these, but if the writing is compelling enough, it will draw readers in for more. Then they are willing to buy your books to experience more of what you represent.

As an avid reader/reviewer, I promote books I like, on several social media platforms. In essence, I tell everyone I know about them. Other readers do the same. Keep in mind, a large portion of authors are readers first. So if you can build lasting connections with these people and promote their work, they will reciprocate at some point in your relationship. It may not happen right away, but it will happen.

And when you see those reviews start coming in, the ones you didn’t have to give away a book to obtain, it’s the best feeling. Not only do you realize that someone you helped move up the Amazon spectrum in the past thought enough of you to recommend your work, but that the reader who reviewed your book, actually chose to read it, not just because it was free.

Authors spend a great deal of money on covers, trailers, promotional events, and editing. If you don’t value your work, why should the readers?