Barbara Eberhard's Blog - Posts Tagged "royalties"
Royalties and Marketing
I've published 12 books now: 7 fantasy, 5 fictional biography/romance, and 1 biography. All are self-published, including my father's biography.
Since I've never published in any way other than self-publishing, I don't really know how more conventional publishing works. But I have read about it, and as I've written before, on the whole, I'm happy with self-publishing. I write what I want, when I want, and for whatever audience I choose.
The downside of self-publishing is a lack of marketing support, though from what I understand, even publishers don't do much marketing in support of new authors these days. I have this blog. I post about my books on various forums - several on Facebook, I just joined Instagram, and Eric shares my blog and book information on Twitter. I send out emails, both from my website and from my personal account.
But I've never made much of a concerted effort at marketing much beyond family and friends. It takes a fair amount of time to do it right. And money. I have done a couple of Book Bub advertisements. And I've done giveaways on Goodreads. Those have been helpful in getting more of the word out. And getting some reviews, as well, which are helpful. Honestly, I'm not planning to focus too much on marketing until I'm retired and can spend the time to do it right.
But Dad's biography is getting marketing from other sources, which I'm finding fascinating. First, one of the contributors posted about the book on LinkedIn. She's garnered many more likes than I have for the same topic. But then again, she's an architect, so that makes sense. I've sold at least one additional book to someone through her. She also posted a review about the book on Amazon, helping with my marketing there. Second, ANFA - the last organization Dad helped found - is planning to share about the biography on their website. Third, the contributor is planning to share about the biography at ANFA's annual conference, which ANFA may do as well - I don't know. Because - of course - Dad was an important part of that organization. Fourth - and I don't know if this will have any real impact - the biography is ranked #272 among biographies of artists and architects, far higher than any other book I've written in any of their respective categories.
The reality is that I've sold more of Dad's biography - Maverick for the Built Environment - than any book before. And that's before ANFA shares about it.
The royalties are still not much, just enough for a treat of a special dinner or something.
Writing and publishing has always been more about the fun of doing it than the money I make.
But I am finding this marketing and its effects fascinating. And somewhat financially rewarding. :)
Since I've never published in any way other than self-publishing, I don't really know how more conventional publishing works. But I have read about it, and as I've written before, on the whole, I'm happy with self-publishing. I write what I want, when I want, and for whatever audience I choose.
The downside of self-publishing is a lack of marketing support, though from what I understand, even publishers don't do much marketing in support of new authors these days. I have this blog. I post about my books on various forums - several on Facebook, I just joined Instagram, and Eric shares my blog and book information on Twitter. I send out emails, both from my website and from my personal account.
But I've never made much of a concerted effort at marketing much beyond family and friends. It takes a fair amount of time to do it right. And money. I have done a couple of Book Bub advertisements. And I've done giveaways on Goodreads. Those have been helpful in getting more of the word out. And getting some reviews, as well, which are helpful. Honestly, I'm not planning to focus too much on marketing until I'm retired and can spend the time to do it right.
But Dad's biography is getting marketing from other sources, which I'm finding fascinating. First, one of the contributors posted about the book on LinkedIn. She's garnered many more likes than I have for the same topic. But then again, she's an architect, so that makes sense. I've sold at least one additional book to someone through her. She also posted a review about the book on Amazon, helping with my marketing there. Second, ANFA - the last organization Dad helped found - is planning to share about the biography on their website. Third, the contributor is planning to share about the biography at ANFA's annual conference, which ANFA may do as well - I don't know. Because - of course - Dad was an important part of that organization. Fourth - and I don't know if this will have any real impact - the biography is ranked #272 among biographies of artists and architects, far higher than any other book I've written in any of their respective categories.
The reality is that I've sold more of Dad's biography - Maverick for the Built Environment - than any book before. And that's before ANFA shares about it.
The royalties are still not much, just enough for a treat of a special dinner or something.
Writing and publishing has always been more about the fun of doing it than the money I make.
But I am finding this marketing and its effects fascinating. And somewhat financially rewarding. :)
