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A question about Pre-orders
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Ember-Raine
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Nov 19, 2016 11:00PM
I had a question. I am launching a new series in February and was wondering about the pre-order process. Do you often offer a pre-order for the first book in a brand new series? Does a pre-order normally boost your sales and create a buzz for a series that hasn't been published yet? Just some questions I had. Thoughts?
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I did a pre-sale for the first book in a new series, and it didn't get a single pre-sale order.I understand that Amazon changed their policies re pre-orders and now they all cost money. I don't know that I will pay for it with this next book that I am releasing, still I am trying to figure a way to do pre-orders because I feel like it adds some next-level professionalism when you are doing your pre-launch tour. I know Smashwords will handle my e-book, but still trying to decide the best way to do my paperback.
Huh? I hadn't heard that Amazon was going to start charging for pre-orders. I used smashwords once but I didn't really like it. It seemed like there was a crucial element missing from each marketplace it sent my ebook to. Barnes and Noble didn't have a synopsis and my genres didn't show up on Kobo it was a disaster. You gave me something to think about though!Thanks Heidi!
Pay for pre-orders? How much and based on what?
This is my first time hearing this about paying for preorders. Amazon changes too much. I was going to considering doing a preorder for my now finished novel, the first book in the series, but now I guess that idea is no longer a thought in my mind anymore. All I can say is try something else. That's what I'm doing.
Can anyone link to the policy?
You don't have to pay for Amazon pre-orders. I think a pre-order can be a good strategy whether it's the first in a series or a standalone. If a new author's book is pre-order or already published, it is important to promote the book.
If you are asking if listing a book for pre-order in itself will gain sales, the answer is mostly no. But if you actively promote your book and build buzz for your series, the resulting pre-orders can help the launch of your book/series.
I just went through KDP and didn't see anything about paying for pre-orders. I don't know.
Well, if you don't have to pay for the preorders. Ok. Whatever. Who can keep up with Amazon these days? They change their policies every two seconds, it seems. I think whatever you want to do is best for you as the author. Also try to do interviews, which can help, too.
I have found nothing showing Amazon now charges authors to set up a preorder. Looking for this online, all I am coming up with is questions regarding how Amazon charges a customer for a preorder. Ember, there are a couple of threads here where people have given their thoughts on preorders that you might find useful:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Ok, I think there is a bit of a misunderstanding here. I was referring to all pre-orders, not just e-books. They did indeed change the pre-order policies for paperbacks. Perhaps the person who said they changed the pre-order policies for e-books misunderstood, or perhaps that is only available if you choose KDP select. I have not done a new pre-order since last year, so I am not sure. I will be setting my e-book up for pre-order in December, so I will be sure to report back if e-book without KDP is a problem.
Thank you Christina that was very helpful!
My book is currently for pre-order. I am a debut author. It did not cost me to list my book as available for pre-order on KDP. I set the price as 99 cents and told all my friends and family that if they plan to buy my book from me in person, I would appreciate them picking up a 99 c kindle version so they can leave amazon verified reviews. The number of people who have preordered has booted my book to number one in Canada in its main category, and put it into the hot new releases in its category on .com and .ca
Seems like a good way to get things going before it even starts
