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How far would you go to increase book sales?
Alex wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I just read a very interesting article about how a book store used clickbait to get people reading fiction. Here's the link:
http://www.upworthy.com/how-one-book-......"
I guess the question is: isn't clickbait (besides being helluva annoying) rather misleading, and therefore on the edge of being dishonest? (Just playing devil's advocate here) ... And another question - Could using these kind of tactics have the potential to damage your brand?
http://www.upworthy.com/how-one-book-......"
I guess the question is: isn't clickbait (besides being helluva annoying) rather misleading, and therefore on the edge of being dishonest? (Just playing devil's advocate here) ... And another question - Could using these kind of tactics have the potential to damage your brand?
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I think the headlines taking a fresh spin on an old classic is fine. People will either laugh or stop using them. I think they want to see which book fits the description. I know I would.
So long as the bait is true, I think it is a great idea - is it not what we do for our own books in our blurbs and our own marketing where we are asked to give a description of our books in 50 words or less?There's usually enough in books to pick out interesting themes even if it isn't the author's intended main theme.
Go for it!
But it must be true. I'd be outraged if it wasn't.
As for why we're not reading so much, for myself I can answer that it is because I am so busy learning, writing and marketing. I managed 15 minutes reading last night before my eyes closed - at one stage I closed the tired eye and read with the duff eye with the Kindle font huge.
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non-readers dont know what they're missing out on!
Reading takes many forms. I read the news and messages from friends every day. Fiction I try to read something silly like a page a day because there aren't enough hours. I did read a short story in the bath the other day-that was yours Alex-enjoyed that.
Yep, it was Exposed. I liked the twists and turns.
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I read anything I can get my hands on- but I notice in my office less people read then they used too. I used to bring in the books I didn't want to keep and leave them there- now I have to give them away to nursing homes. Nobody is reading.
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It's really hard to find time for reading the way you want if you're constantly marketing books and writing new ones. I've had to take a hiatus from writing to concentrate on marketing and trying to read, which means my next book won't be out in the fall like it is supposed to.
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We exchange so many ideas here, I can't help but think that it makes us all richer.
I think its such a pity that authors dont get the time to read more. It helps hone your craft I tbink. In my mind, the two are so intertwined, I cant imagine one without the other
The idea is tricky and very clever however who knows what the result was. It said they saw a 150% increase in clicks and people on their page but I bet once people realized what the book was and what it was for they just quietly exited the site and tuned out. Again don't get me wrong I think the idea is genius but I have a very hard time believing the end result was people ended up reading the books, also there's a good chance they did it solely for the clicks rather than the reads just to prove that they could draw people in but then couldn't keep them. Also they lead off with reading being more down then it ever was before last year so when you lead off with that then get into a "clickbait" chances are reading is still down..you can lead a horse to water but you can't make em drink.
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I couldn't agree with you more, Ruth.
Carole wrote: "You know, Groovy- reading is so important and maybe we shouldn't rush so much with books but soak in other stuff and let ourselves develop as authors. As your life changes and you see what people a..."Hear, hear, Carole and Ruth. Reading enriches us and helps make us better authors.
Very good discussions here! Justin, you have a very good point which is this bookstore did a clever idea of the click bait strategy. One has to consider what they did it for, marketing for the bookstore? Just to garner interest to the store itself? This might not lead to people ACTUALLY starting to read but more of getting their brand out there! So that people are aware of them. If the landing page is good, then that's where the conversion comes to sales or actual numbers of people wanting to read. The optimist that I am, hope that it actually at least interests people and hope that a few of them would start that wonderful journey into reading.
There was also another discussion that was brought up by this article which was the concern of not reading anymore and the authors not getting the time to read.
To address the first one, I think reading does come in many forms, With the current trends where everyone mostly has internet access, the platform in how people take information (including reading) has drastically changed. I don't have any statistics if that has an impact on increasing people to read but being published online might have greater reach. Like someone doesn't have to go to the bookstore anymore and just hop online and viola! Instant book! Not that I ever wish that paper book publication ever disappears. I have a silent weakness for the texture of books and the smell of them and a silent satisfaction of hearing a page being turned. But, the traveler that I am, being able to bring 300 books (in my Kindle) is a great incentive to read!
As for authors not having the time to read, I don't think that's the only issue. Inspiration comes from life and experiences. We get too wrapped up in editing, marketing, engaging, work, family, friends, the Superbowl, Black Friday sales, on top of needing the time to WRITE that we miss life flashing before us. In lieu of that, would you consider hiring a PA to either manage your time or offload some of the responsibilities so you can HAVE time to write, read and enjoy life altogether?
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He wasn't famous at all and Barnes didn't even carry his book, but people saw something cool and unique and they wanted to be apart of it, his small rebellion.
I don't have the guts to do what he did, although I shamelessly leave my bookmarks in every store or business I visit. I leave them by wine and potatoes chips as they're two things mentioned in my book and hope that somehow someone will se it and give it a try
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Groovy wrote: "I wish, Nitelotus, I wish!!"Groovy, is it the price that usually thwarts the authors you think? If there was value for getting you time to write so you can actually produce your work, wouldn't a PA be a great investment?
Carole wrote: "I learned very early on in my life to find people to delegate to. You'd be surprised at all the willing hands. If you think you are the only person who is capable of doing something, then be prepar..."
Love your outlook, Carole!
It is definitely the price, Nitelotus. At least for me, lol. Believe me, if I could afford a PA, I would hire one in a minute. I think having one is a great investment!
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Carole wrote: "Thanks Nitelotus! It has worked for me these last 44 years. I am amazed at my various friends who think asking for help shows some kind of weakness. Most of my buddies work and while many of the me..."Exactly! And kudos to everyone who tries to make it on their own and would like to learn the process. But I do say, work smarter, not harder and when time is money, why not make you sure you get the time so you can make the money?
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Alex wrote: "I've been struggling with my reading for quite a while, but Marie's Davenport House has me interested enough to actually read, which is such a relief."Thank you so much, Alex!
Alex wrote: "I would happily employ someone to handle the promotion/social media aspects of my writing career, but I don't have enough money or income to justify the expense yet. Someday, hopefully, that will c..."Everything Alex said. Yeah, that.
Also regarding reading-I get intimidated by reading these days. What if I read something someone has written and it's so much better than what I've written that I realise I'm rubbish? That's stopped me reading in recent months.
I hear it's not bad from several places, it's just that the one very bad review I have still overrules all the others in my head. I think I am gradually getting back into reading.
Amy, the thing about reading while I'm writing is that I don't want to be influenced by someone else's story or style. I need to hang on to the originality of mine (ahem!). In between my sequel and this next book I'm writing, I started reading a book about smuggling (mine are about smuggling) and I love it, but as soon as I started writing again, I stopped reading it. I can read something completely different so I started a time travel one.And those negative reviews? Sigh. In the Amazon UK market I don't have any negative ones. In the US market I have loads. If I had the time, I'd try to analyze the reasons for this. Top of the list must come that I wrote them for UK readers! It never, never, never occurred to me that Americans would be reading my books. Oh how backwards can I be? I haven't quite grasped that globalisation impacts on me as well as big companies. And when I sold some in Japan, I was gobsmacked.
Anna, totally understand about not reading while writing. I live in fear of writing something that seems familiar when I read it back only to realise I've inadvertently fleshed out someone else's storyline!I've got less than a handful of reviews on Amazon. I'm in the UK and so is my one star review!
I have just put in two review requests to bloggers. That's about as far as I intend to go today, that's terrifying enough.
That's very brave. I make a point of not asking... quiver, quiver.However, I can't thank those who take the trouble to write a review enough. Although occasionally it's really hard to rustle up a thank you but I guess we all have those reviews where they clearly didn't enjoy even the first ten pages!
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I got very blasé and ended up putting in half a dozen review requests today. I will now cower under a duvet for a few weeks.
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Carole, my stomach turned over. Review? Which book? Where? Then I found it and my heart leapt! You're ruining my body, you beautiful lady.Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Zip-A-Dee-Ay
My oh my what a wonderful day
I cannot thank you enough, but I shall try. :o)
Amy, I know what it's like to be shot down by a negative review. When I got my first one, I thought my writing days were over. I know I've said this all this before, but I just keep reminding myself that not everyone is going to like what we as authors create. Negative reviews are a given.If it's constructive, see what you can learn from it. If it's nasty, don't even bother wasting a minute on why. Just keep writing from your heart.
Carole, congratulations on a good review:)
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Thanks Anna- my pleasure. I am trying to catch up on my reviews.
Groovy- Thank you- I love most any review!!
This is a dynamite group, and I will say negative reviews will make us stronger. It reaffirms that we are doing this because we want to and no one is ever going to take that away from us. Any negative review will be buried in an avalanche of four and five stars.
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Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Zip-A-Dee-Ay
My oh my what a wonderful ..."
"Plenty of sunshine..." It was a great read. Keep it up. ;)
And you too, Anna. Congratulations on your good review from Carole.
I've reread Carole's review :o) on Amazon.com and I noticed that she is a high-ranking reviewer. If anyone would like to visit the review and if you like it, you could tick the helpful box and she'll rise further. I hope we can thank her in this tiny fashion for all her Mod work.
Either go to my GR page or straight to:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNQ24UY
I really hope I'm not breaking any rules by doing this. I hope even more that if I am, you'll get there before this post disappears!
I was stunned by the review and then she went and stunned me again when I saw how high up the rankings she is.
Damn, smuggling on the Kent coast-had to buy that Anna. We've got a caravan on the Kent coast, where the Russell Thorndyke Scarecrow novels are set.
I don't see a 'like' box to click. Is it the helpful button?I wish I'd thought to encourage others to like her really good review of one of my books. I didn't know it mattered, plus I don't know where the like button is:)
http://www.upworthy.com/how-one-book-...
I thought this could end up in an interesting discussion. How far would you go to increase your book sales? Or do you think its crossing some invisible line in a way?