Carole’s Comments (group member since Oct 19, 2016)

Carole’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

Dale wrote: "Carole wrote: "Wow, that was terrific Dale. You really cleared up so many of my questions. I think you are absolutely right in everything you say. I slowed adding followers and basically just add p..."

I agree with you Dale, but I have a terrible habit of rushing. It's the only way I can clear my to-do list. You should see what every Monday's list looks like.

Wow, that was terrific Dale. You really cleared up so many of my questions. I think you are absolutely right in everything you say. I slowed adding followers and basically just add people with articles that I enjoy or have similar interests.
I did that when I reached the 1K followers, and now I'm at 1.2 .
I am tempted to write for one of the publications but haven't have the time to put the effort into it.
We are about even on earnings- I agree with you that writing for free has no real value and I love the idea of linking those older posts. I was thinking of ways to do that because it may interest some of my new followers.
All in all, I think Medium is important because it exposes your writing to a potentially vast audience. And you get the bonus of that little kick each month. I know I was putting those things on my blog or other people's blogs and getting nothing before!

lol, hahahah.

Me too.

Wow. Glad you are back.

Nice to have you back!!

That's great!

lol. Funny, Dale.

Theodore wrote: "Carole wrote: "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!"

And the same to you and your son, Carole

Thanks, Ted!!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Yup

They actually refused to do some of my son's books. I will try them again.

Never comment on any of your reviews- that will get you sanctioned very fast from the Goodreads police- Don't even thank them.

You can comment on any books other than your own. You can hit the like button for a review on your books- but don't ever interact with them beyond that.

It's gotten much harder to sell books, Kimerbly. When I began this enterprise eight years ago, there were tons of options to market your books. It didn't involve spending a fortune. I spent most of my money on illustrators and took marketing the books for granted. Reviews were easy to obtain, there were hundreds of sites to read and review for free, blogs tours were accessible, there were dozens of choices.
Amazon changed many of the rules. Once they went into the page read things to fill their coffers with money- it cut our profit by half. People figured out ways to game the system stealing from honest people trying to make a living doing this. Now, Amazon is filled with lots of free or inexpensive books for it's Kindle, care of indie authors, while the traditional houses scoop up the majority of the money.
I know many people are saying they're making big money out there- I think it's baloney. I think between the cost of marketing and building a fan base, it must be costing them most of the money they earn to maintain those numbers.
In your case, you need to brand yourself as a poet, and the easiest way I think is for you do do a podcast for poetry. You can produce a podcast for free. I don't know the exact rules with Blog radio, but it can be done.
You should do a weekly or monthly poetry half-hour, inviting other poets and let them read their poetry- you can advertise your books on the site, and squeeze in some of your own work and possibly build a following with that. Each of your guests should have followers who like poetry and may choose to buy your books. I think, right now, this is the cheapest way for you to expand your reach.

I think you're right!!

I was thinking of going back on KU for the first three months of the year- because people give KIndles away as gifts. I was thinking it might be a good time to get some interest in the books. I'm not sure- if this is a good strategy, it's certainly a pain moving them off D2D to KU and then in March moving them back.
I know the trads don't put their books on KU- KIndles then are filled with free or inexpensive indie choices so 'Zon looks good and then they push the trad guy's books. I'm conflicted about it. Sales have been anemic for a year.

I wish I could help, but no clue.

Alex. Sorry typing on my phobe

Feel better. Alec

Take a deep breath and exhale- real slow. Then put all the stuff in a pile in the middle of your desk and go through it one by one. It worked for my character Susannah in Oh Susannah!!