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

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

It's, up JU!

It’s lady Phyllis1 on tic toc

On behalf of my son- thanks a million!!!

Just saw this- Thanks, a lot, Sam!!!!

Posted. Check it out and share!

Never pay for reviews unless it's an editorial review. (one that won't be put on Amazon unless you put it in the editorial section).

Amazon will take down reviews if they think an author is paying for reviews or the review is written by family or friends.

I used The Book Commentary for an editorial review of my son's book. It was affordable and gave a wonderful review. They have a mailing list as well. Check it out https://thebookcommentary.com/view-bo... I then ordered reviews on my Bulwark series. Hopefully, it will yield a sale or two.
I've used Kirkus, Foreword, Book Trib, Feathered Quill, as well. I noticed in the Commentary's featured books, there were traditionally published books as well.

Totally agree.

What I learned about promotion and ads, is that it's not the one thing you do, it's the million things you do. It's impossible to maintain and the cost never justifies the profit.

I think they do get preference. I think for a bit when Createspace was introduced and the 'zon needed material for Kindle, indie authors had a chance to get noticed and make some money. Then I think when traditionally published authors realized they could cut out the publishing houses, publishers had to figure out a strategy to keep in-house authors engaged. I think they approached the powers that be and expressed that traditional books have to take preference since they were spending the most on advertising.
I believe that was the beginning of the end. Createspace was dissolved and all the services were dispensed. Back when we started, they gave you a huge mailing list to publicize your book. They had packages you could purchase to help your book get noticed. Then one day, they started closing those things down, until all that was left was KDP.
It was at that point I noticed our sales tanked, going from six figures a year to a pittance of that-and I want to add that was despite my efforts to do more publicity-wise. I spent a small fortune on ads, and promotions until I realized I would never make it back.

Bingo- I couldn't agree with you more. We (I handle my son's books) had one book in the paranormal category that stayed at number one in its category for close to a year. I didn't promote it much- because back then I was just learning. I did one press release, a few blog tours and the book hit number one almost with no effort. It stayed there without explanation and then one random day plummeted like a lead balloon. Nothing. I did propped the book up. I tried changing keywords, ads all over the place, you name it. It was simply at the disposal of the great and mighty 'zon and when they decided it shouldn't sell - it didn't.

So, I did two videos of reading my book If You Were Me and Lived in...Germany in honor of Octoberfest- I posted to FB and Tic Tok and over the last two days I've sold 19 Paperbacks.

No, the person has to add a review themselves. What you can do is quote a line or two on your Amazon author's page for that specific book, but you must attribute it to the person who wrote the review. Note the editorial review section https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/154...

Today is a good day to promote your book on Facebook. +
Put part of a review, link your Youtube video, link to the Goodreads page. Find something current in the news to link to your book if it applies- but it's a free way to advertise. Post it to other groups that promote indie books. Follow their rules, though. Like and share other authors!!!

Yes I noticed that too. I did a lot on written word media and sales dropped off. I like all the charts on kdp. I’ve been able to track my busiest years. I slashed by budget for advertising awards and such. Now I pick and choose going heavier seasonally depending on the book. Back to school Halloween and Christmas. That kind of thing. I still post at least once or twice to fb groups that have books on thrm

I spend about ten hours a week doing marketing- how about you?

I write in a flurry of days then get distracted and stop for a few weeks. I find I miss the writing though as well as missing the community.

Congrats, Anna!! Well deserved!!

I didn't check. To me, the best value is Reader's Favorite. You get five reviews that will be put on Goodreads and blogs. Also, they write fantastic editorial reviews.

This was in my email. I don't know them but they are offering a discount if anyone is interested.


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