Best Days for KDP Select Freebies

[Norm]

Anyone have any ideas if there are better days of the week or days of the month that get the best results from the free days at KDP Select?

Norm Hamilton author of The Digital Eye
Indie Writer Book Reviews
Services for Writers
Website
email: Norm Hamilton

[Kendal]

In my experience, (my book made it to #19 of top 100 free romance during my first free days.) Weekends are the best! My first time around I used all five days at once and started on a Wednesday - Sunday. Moved over 2500 books. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten many of those to review my book but those that did, gave it great reviews.

Also, when you are following your progress on KDP reports, be sure to check each Amazon site in the little drop down box to see how many you've moved. Each country is shown separately.

Hope this helps! Good Luck and let me know the title of your book so I can look for it!

[Norm]

Thanks Kendal. Your experience is appreciated. Because of your input, I will be trying a couple of different approaches over the next 180 days I think. During one of them I'll use the weekend and the other, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The reason for trying Tuesday and Wednesday is because they are suggested as good online marketing days in another area of retail. Can't lose anything now, can I?

Norm Hamilton author of The Digital Eye
Indie Writer Book Reviews
Services for Writers
Website
email: Norm Hamilton

[Jon]

I agree with Kendal, but I'd advise caution about stringing too many free days together all at once. I'm currently experimenting with one day/one book every other weekend. The most vexing part is getting the word out. We're not supposed to promote our work on GR.

That said, be aware of a truly horrid little book of true tales of adventure and excitement - "Reaching Deep" - free to download all day Saturday, but only because it's so bad, I'm ashamed to set a price. No one wants to review it or even read it! It probably makes them sick. They'll all most likely wait until October 12th so they can download "Abigail Dare", a pathetic attempt to write gooder that some folks said made their eyeballs explode. Ick!!

[Kendal]

Jon wrote: "I agree with Kendal, but I'd advise caution about stringing too many free days together all at once. I'm currently experimenting with one day/one book every other weekend. The most vexing part is..."

Not sure if I should believe you that its so bad . . . thinking you may be a tease. Heading to check it out on Saturday... Reaching Deep... on my to do list. Good Luck to you.

[Norm]

Jon wrote: "That said, be aware of a truly horrid little book of true tales of adventure and excitement - "Reaching Deep" - free to download all day Saturday, but only because it's so bad, I'm ashamed to set a price...."

:-) Now there's a form of marketing that is rather unique. Let us know how it works out for you.

[Jon]

I ran a few KDP free days last year and was disappointed to have lots of downloads translate into NO sales. I don't expect to sell any books this time. I'm using KDPS to gain name recognition and stir the waters ahead of the release of my next book.

[Norm]

That is kind of what I'm doing as well. I'd like to see if KDPS has any impact on sales of The Digital Eye. I haven't, however, ordered a new car or anything.

Norm Hamilton author of The Digital Eye
Indie Writer Book Reviews
Services for Writers
Website
email: Norm Hamilton

[Jon]

I had two KDPS freebies last year. Got lots of downloads but zippity-do-dah sales (can I say zippity-do-dah without insulting anyone using zippers or raising blue birds?) It's not a case of "good book...Thanks...I'm gonna tell both my friends". It's more like, "Good book...BYE!". Without any means of tracking who did the download, you won't know whether your works are being read by Spielberg or SpeelBurger. (Apologies to any Number One Fans of Spielberg, rabbis named Spielberg, or descendants of HMS Titanic survivors...Spielberg, Iceberg - meh)

[Stanley]

I agree, Jon, for every free book you give away, that's one person who doesn't buy your book. Who benefits from free give-aways? well, readers don't have to buy it, so you don't get a royalty of any kind, and the readers that accept your free book aren't thanking you, they are thanking Amazon. So there's really nothing in it for the author.

[Norm]

Hmmm, I suspect there's more to it than what is seen at first blush. Amazon isn't in the habit of doing things they don't make money with.

My belief is that people who want thing for free will only get freebies, while those who don't mind purchasing cannot be bothered looking to get something for nothing.

The bothersome trend I am reading in this thread is the lack of response from readers. I have added a request for reviews at the front of my book,and again at the end, complete with links. Hopefully that will trigger some readers to comply.

Norm Hamilton author of The Digital Eye
Indie Writer Book Reviews
Services for Writers
Website
email: Norm Hamilton