What the numbers are saying- Lost Blog Entry

(Originally written April 2011. Never published.)******************************************************************************** I've been following the blogs of self-publishing gurus Joe Konrath and Amanda Hocking for about a month now.  I read and reread their posts and advice.  One thing Joe has done is shown what his sales numbers are during "experiments" he is conducts.

I've decided to post my numbers, not to brag, but to show my progress and to hold myself accountable. 

[image error] On March 2, 2011 I decided to make I Wish I Would've available a free eBook on Smashwords.  I did this to build a fan base and it's worked out well.  I told my friends and family about my goal of 300 downloads by March 31, 2011, when the free download offer expires).  I tweeted, Facebooked, and emailed this out and asked the recipients to forward to people they think would be interested in reading a free eBook.

Then on March 26, 2011 I decided to have a free sneak preview of Sixty-7* for 12 hours.  I posted this on Facebook and Twitter too.


As of this moment [April 2011], this these are my Smashwords numbers:

I Wish I Would've 
292 downloads (in less than a month), no sales.
#20  Most Downloaded, Free eBook, Women's Fiction
#2 Most Downloaded, African American, General
#1 Most Downloaded, Shorts (<25,000 words), African American, General
[image error]

Sixty-7*
42 downloads (in twelve hours), no sales.
#16 Most Downloaded, African American, General
#7 Most Downloaded, Shorts (<25,000), African American, General


Smashwords is a little tricky because the eBook can be downloaded by the same person more than once.  Meaning, if a person starts reading and doesn't finish, they can go back and download it again and it will be counted as a additional download.  But that's cool with me because to me that means if a person downloaded it more than once, they started to read the book and wanted to finish it. 

My books are now available on Nook and I am waiting for the process on Kindle to be completed. 

I'm excited about my journey and can't wait to see what else the Universe is going to give me!

******************************************************************************** It's always interesting to see how far you have come in life. I've sold over 20,000 copies of I Wish I Would've on Kindle alone! I Wish I Would've appeared on the Kindle Movers and Shakers list in the UK. I Wish I Would've reached #1 in Kindle Drama for the US & UK.

I reached these milestones fairly quickly. Then in 2013, things took a down-turn. I was not selling as many books as I wanted. Quite frankly, I didn't sell the same number of books as in 2012. But, I didn't put in the same work that I had in 2012.

One of my husband's favorite things to say is, "You can't cheat the game." No you can't. This goes with all things in life. You have to put in the work to get results. And though I was putting in work, I was not focused on the right things. I spent a lot of time on social media and not enough time writing.

In 2014, I made goals (not resolutions). I will reach these goals because I am putting in the work and will continue to do so. Two of my goals are to sell 500 eBooks a month and to obtain more paid speaking engagements.

I'm ready for the next level, what about you?

Post some of your 2014 goals in the comments section.

(*Sixty-7 is now titled ProtectHer.)