Interview Yourself #7: Marketing and Trailers
Hi, folks! Today, I’m continuing with a new, unique series of posts. In the coming weeks, I’m going to be interviewing myself using pre-written questions from other blog sites, starting with these from Lawrence Wray.
It’s going to be a lot of fun, and a great way for me to reveal a little bit more about myself, my writing and my habits. Are you ready? Good – let’s get started.
Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
I can’t think of any one single thing that boosts sales any more than another. Physical launch parties always work well, but then it’s hard to sell books as an indie author to begin with.
Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?
Nothing that I can think of, but then I work in marketing and so I like to think that I know what I’m doing. I think the main thing to worry about is the time investment – you just need to make sure that you’re not investing huge amounts of time into something that isn’t working.
Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
It’s just the way of the world. It’s always been a problem – just think how many great authors there must have been fifty years ago who were overlooked by agents and publishers. At least now, in the era of the internet, people have the ability to reach out directly to readers. But there will always be rubbish at the top of the bestseller lists, and there will always be gold that no one’s aware of.
What do you think of “trailers” for books?
I’ve made one for each of mine. They don’t tend to lead to direct sales, but they do help to bring a book to life for your readers, and sometimes they’ll help you to reach new readers, too.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
You can view each of the trailers here:
No Rest for the Wicked
Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home
Former.ly
Social Paranoia
Come On Up to the House
Dane Cobain
Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
I do it quite often. It helps you to reach new readers, and they in turn might tell their friends or their relatives, which leads to new sales in turn. Plus, a lot of the free readers leave reviews that then bring new people in.
Did you format your own book?
Mostly, yeah. Although part of the formatting is also overseen by Pam Elise Harris, my editor. She’s not necessarily working on it, but she’ll let me know if she spots something.
In what formats is your book available?
They’re available in print form and in epub, mobi and pdf formats for e-readers.
If formatted by someone else, how did you select them and what was your experience?
My first two books – No Rest for the Wicked and Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home – were formatted by Adam Bodendick when I was with Booktrope. I basically took that formatting style and ran with it, customising it as necessary, for my later, self–published releases.
How do you relax?
I don’t. I have a poem called ‘Relaxing‘ which covers it. I’m at my most relaxed when I’m at home, in front of my computer, working.
Dane Cobain – Come On Up to the House
So there we have it – that’s the latest instalment of Interview Yourself over and done with! Thanks, as always, for reading, and be sure to keep your browser pointed to DaneCobain.com. You can also sign up to my mailing list, follow me on Facebook and Twitter or check out my books for further info. I’ll see you soon!
