How do I best use the KDP tools?

[Elí]

I will be releasing my second English-language fantasy novel on Amazon this October. The file is ready, I just want to put more effort into marketing this time.

The plan is to promote the previous book in some way. I'm wondering how. It seems my options are:

*Put it on a Countdown Deal in the days leading up to the release of the sequel
*Put it on a Countdown Deal the same day I release the sequel.
*Do a Free Book Promotion leading up to the sequel.
*Do a Free Book promotion for the first days of the sequel.

Is any approach more likely to give the sequel a boost than the rest?

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Elí wrote: "I will be releasing my second English-language fantasy novel on Amazon this October. The file is ready, I just want to put more effort into marketing this time."

You might be able to find a way to do all four if you schedule it right. KDP can be a great tool, but it's not a one size fits all kind of thing. What works for one author may not work for another. In fact, I sometimes use it and get great results, then a few months later try the same thing with the same book and get poor results. The only certainty is that if you don't use it, it can't work for you.

[Elí]

So I should basically pick one at random?

[Christina]

Basically, do whichever you are comfortable with. If you plan on actively promoting, a countdown deal might work for you. A free promo will net more downloads, but they do not necessarily translate into sales for a sequel right away. However, if you do decide to go with free, my suggestion would be to make it the release date. People who do read immediately might not continue, but when the next in series is available, Amazon has a nice little prompt at the end of the book.

[Kathi]

And keep in mind, (as I understand it) once you make your book free on any site, many of the promo sites won't let you list it at any price other than free. That could affect your sales going forward.

[Christina]

Hi Kathi. Are you talking about promotion sites? Most require that a book not be listed at a lower price within a certain time frame, usually anywhere from 30 days to six months. Amazon only allows for one promo or the other within the select enrollment period, but there is nothing stopping you from running a free promo and then promoting a countdown sale months later as long as the promo site's suggested period is over.

[Kathi]

Yes, I thought I specified promo sites - not KDP.