Name your most successful marketing technique

[Brandy]

Currently my book is in KDP and I've been trying to decide if I wanted to end it and expand to other venues. Such as the Nook. I'm not familiar with the Nook as I don't have one. Does anyone have any thoughts and opinions on the Nook market?

[Annette]

Brandy wrote: "Currently my book is in KDP and I've been trying to decide if I wanted to end it and expand to other venues. Such as the Nook. I'm not familiar with the Nook as I don't have one. Does anyone hav..."

Brandy, I was on KDP Select, then expanded to all the other markets with very poor results. From what I understand, the Nook market is flat. In two months on B&N I've sold 2 books, both to friends. Having said that, I think that if you have the energy to convert to EPUB, then it could never hurt to expand your horizons. Best of luck.

[Brandy]

Annette wrote: "Brandy wrote: "Currently my book is in KDP and I've been trying to decide if I wanted to end it and expand to other venues. Such as the Nook. I'm not familiar with the Nook as I don't have one. ..."

Thanks for the feedback. That's kind of what I was afraid of. I just published my first book about a month ago. It's only in e-form and I'm still trying to figure things out.

[Jeffrey]

I have been told that getting reviews is one of the best marketing techniques. It makes sense. I published my latest novel two weeks ago and so far it has 7 reviews (5-5 stars, 2-4 stars), which is great. How many reviews do you think is enough? I am wondering if I should stop seeking reviews and get back to writing book #3. Suggestions?

[Rosalind]

Jeffrey wrote: "I am wondering if I should stop seeking reviews and get back to writing book #3. ..."
You might try a book blog tour, set up by a tour host--then you don't have to do anything. Be aware, though, bloggers tend to be more stingy with their stars than some "regular people," because they're reading to review rather than just for enjoyment.

That said, reviews take a while to come in. Of course we all think readers should get our book, sit down and read it RIGHT THEN, and immediately review it! Alas, they have those pesky lives . . . I'd say, write book #3! And congratulations on your good reviews for #2!

[L.M.]

Brandy wrote: "Currently my book is in KDP and I've been trying to decide if I wanted to end it and expand to other venues. Such as the Nook. I'm not familiar with the Nook as I don't have one. Does anyone hav..."

I have read B&N are in the process of closing stores, not going out of business, just shutting down non-producing stores. I have a Nook and to be honest, I don't use it anymore since I bought the Kindle Fire.

[L.M.]

Have you noticed that the big named companies are pricing their eBooks in the same range as paperbacks? I was interested in purchasing a eBook from Harper Collins. I noted the electronic book was priced at over $9. The paperback was .51 more. That is complete nonsense -- it's sad how they believe the public is a cash machine they have to cheat.

[S.Z.]

L.M. wrote: "Have you noticed that the big named companies are pricing their eBooks in the same range as paperbacks? I was interested in purchasing a eBook from Harper Collins. I noted the electronic book was p..."

I don't understand that, either. Obviously, it's cheaper to produce.

[Marc]

Publishers have large fixed costs that must be covered one way or another. From their point of view every e-book sold steals sales from hard copies, so the only way to keep the accounts balanced is to raise the price of e-books to match that of print copies.

I don't buy new books anymore. I either get them from libraries or wait until I can buy a used version on Amazon for nearly nothing. The price for a new hard copy is robbery and to charge nearly the same price for an e-book is just as insulting.

The other problem with the price of books is that books are no longer a cost competitive source of entertainment. Rather than spending $30 dollars to buy a book and then having to spend 8 hours of my time (something I can never recover), why not just go rent the movie for $2 dollars and spend 2 hours watching it. This mismatch of pricing is going to result in a lost generation of readers.

On the plus side for independent authors who have created great content they stand to gain the most as they can price their work at a level most readers will find acceptable.

[Simon]

Marina wrote: "But Marc, Walter, can I lend my book to anyone if I'm under an exclusive obligation to Amazon? Will it not be considered a violation of some kind?
My book was downloaded 600 times (free and paid), ..."
Don't despair, Marina :)
It's a little bit chicken & egg - People are more likely to leave a review if there are a couple of others already, so see if you can get a 2 or 3 friends to post reviews for you. If they're not sure what to write, you could even suggest a few things:)
It also helps to have a short note at the end of your book thanking the reader for choosing it and hinting at how helpful it'd be if they left a review.
Then finally - just be patient. Once you get a few, more will come with more downloads. For my book, I reckon to get one Amazon review for every 300 - 400 downloads, so just keep running KDP Select Free promos and make sure you submit each promo to all the websites that promote them.

[Marina]

Simon, that is my main problem about not having friends who are able to read in English (: I want honest reviews from people who have actually read my book, not just to make up the reviews for them.
And KDP Select indeed bans author to send free copies of their published books to critics. They suggested buying the book and send it as a gift. It's also a variant, of course, so I'll be looking people who will agree to do this for me.
Thanks for all tips!

[Simon]

Marina wrote: "Simon, that is my main problem about not having friends who are able to read in English (: I want honest reviews from people who have actually read my book, not just to make up the reviews for them..."
I wasn't suggesting you make up reviews for them, but one or two of my friends who had read and liked my book still weren't quite sure what to write in the review, so I asked them what they liked about it and then made some suggestions based on what they said. Very often, it was just a paragraph from the email they just sent me telling me how much they liked it.
Of course, if you don't have Engish-speaking friends then that could be a problem :(
Anyway, good luck with it.

[Marina]

It is! Thank you for wishing me luck. You too!

[Walter]

And KDP Select indeed bans author to send free copies of their published books to critics. They suggested buying the book and send it as a gift.

Marina, can you provide a link for this? I have tried to find a mention of such a restriction at Amazon's KDP site and have had no luck thus far. Copies of my novel House of Shadows have been reviewed by readers who stated in the review that they received the book from a LibraryThing giveaway, and I haven't noticed that any such reviews have been deleted. Although this may simply be attributable to good fortune on my part.

Also, to the best of my knowledge, any restrictions as regards KDP Select will only apply to the Kindle ebook version of a given work, and not to any hard-copy (Createspace trade paperback, for example) versions, which you can do with as you please (sell, give away, whatever).

[Marina]

I wrote them with this question. Here's their exact answer (pasted):
Hello Marina,

At this time it is not possible to lend your book but you can gift your book to your reviewers but you will be charged.

All titles made available through KDP may be gifted; however, titles that are not available in the gift purchaser's country of residence may not be gifted. The gifting option is not available for books purchased from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp, Amazon.com.br, or Amazon.ca.

You can read about Gifting on the Kindle on this Help page:

http://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing...

Also, I read some posts on this topic, and one guy described how he was tempted to violate this obligation receiving begs to have his free book copies. He said they were doing it on purpose.

[Walter]

Perhaps someone more knowledgable than myself can elaborate or clarify this issue, but I'm not sure what 'gifting' has to do with providing ebook copies for a LibraryThing giveaway, or for its 'early review' option. As I understand it, the option to 'gift' a book is just that; someone wants a given book (perhaps it's on their wish list), so the 'gifter' buys it for them, as one would purchase a gift for anyone.

Also not sure what Amazon is referring to when they say, "At this time it is not possible to lend your book...". Are they referring to the Kindle Owners' Lending Library? Or the option Kindle owners have to do a 'one time' loan of a title they have purchased? And what does this have to do with providing copies of one's book in the hopes of receiving a review? ::confused::

[Marina]

Walter, they mean while I'm in KDP Select, I can't give my book for free to anybody; I can only buy it myself as a gift and give the person whom I want to review my book.
I suppose it goes like that.

[Walter]

Well, if that's the case, Marina, then perhaps you might want to time your KDP Select, then when you're close to renewal time, opt not to renew long enough to take advantage of the LibraryThing Early Review or Giveaway option(s), then once that's done put your book back into KDP Select.

I didn't know enough to take advantage of the LibraryThing Early Review option, but the LibraryThing Giveaway so far has resulted in eight reviews for my book. And most of those folks were kind enough, when asked, to forward their reviews to Amazon and (for those who have accounts here) Goodreads as well.

[Bronwen]

The biggest thing is to not expect sales to happen overnight. If you were setting up a new busienss you usually have several years projections before you make some good money. Building a readership base takes time. I've found it has taken me a good two years to build a fan base and have reasonably good sales (enough to live off).

I used FREE things like my website, blogging on other book blogger blogs, entering contests and finalling or winning has a huge impact, interacting with my fans on twitter and facebook - with a softly softly focus onsales. You need to engage with your readers not sell to them. Ge tot know them, let then know a bit about you and your life. You're more likely to buy off people you know!

I have paid for adverts on websites that I know my readers use such as Night Owls, All Romance (I'm a roamnce author, Joyfully Reviewed, Freshfiction - like the old publishing industry look at thier readership and member numbers.

AND of course have a QUALITY product.

[Annie]

I have had tremendous success since my debut novel was published last year. It was published by an e publisher and since then I have been published traditionally as well as self publishing. However it has been twelve months of consistent structured promotion EVERY day. I spend the first two hours each day before I write, emailing, FBing, blogging, tweeting and doing guest posts on the big blogs. I have spent very little money on budgeting but I have paid for Goodreads ads, blog tours and and dabbled with FB ads.
All with varying success which I track using a variety of free, statistical tools. My first book has been on several Amazon best seller lists for eleven months. I don't have any formal marketing experience, however I have recently self published a book outlining my successful experience. (Promotional Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Authors in the Digital Landscape)
If I had to say the one thing about how I was successful I would have to say it was the time I put into the process of promotion across a variety of platforms.

[Richard]

Brandy wrote: "Currently my book is in KDP and I've been trying to decide if I wanted to end it and expand to other venues. Such as the Nook. I'm not familiar with the Nook as I don't have one. Does anyone hav..."

I like the Nook better than the Kindle as devices go, but I still make sure I have a book on KDP (not select though, I don't like any flexibility removed from my choice list)but I always first publish with Smashwords, in all ebook formats (including mobi for Kindle and ePub for Nook). I purchase a Smashwords ISBN ($10)then enable distribution from them to everyone (except Amazon). That gives me the unregulated opportunity to give away anything I want as often as I want to whomever I want, using a coupon code I can email (I prefer not to send the code out there to just anyone, but I try to target any giveaways to readers in my genres and cross genres). Once I know all the kinks are out of the book, I'll also upload a copy through KDP, and then use CreateSpace to produce print, again with full international distribution enabled. My out of pocket is nil, and the books get the widest exposure I can get without hiring a publicist. Createspace also distributes my print books to B&N. Hope this provides an alternative.

[L.M.]

Annie wrote: "I have had tremendous success since my debut novel was published last year. It was published by an e publisher and since then I have been published traditionally as well as self publishing. However..."

Great advice.

[Karen]

(re message 349) Looking only at the language you quote from Amazon, I'd say they're talking about what you can do from the Amazon site with your Amazon Kindle book. If you have a separate PDF or other file of the book, I don't believe this language has anything to do with where you can send that separate copy.

Marina wrote: "Walter, they mean while I'm in KDP Select, I can't give my book for free to anybody; I can only buy it myself as a gift and give the person whom I want to review my book.
I suppose it goes like that."

[Debra]

Hi Linda,
I am a brand new member and am excited at this new prospect. I wrote a christian/Inspiational book "You're Not The Only Nut In The Tree Of Life" www.debramunden.com A couple of good marketing things that have worked for me talking with my City Chamber about hosting a luncheon, purchasing a booth at local event (Gracefest)and Facebook. I've only had my book out for a year but I have had good results using these marketing methods.

[L.M.]

Debra wrote: "Hi Linda,
I am a brand new member and am excited at this new prospect. I wrote a christian/Inspiational book "You're Not The Only Nut In The Tree Of Life" www.debramunden.com A couple of good marke..."

My book has been out 4 months, lol. Still an infant.

[C.P.]

Bronwen wrote: "The biggest thing is to not expect sales to happen overnight. If you were setting up a new busienss you usually have several years projections before you make some good money. Building a readership..."

Agree totally. Very reassuring. Thanks, Bronwen!

[Debra]

True, it is a slow start, especially as a self publishing author. There's really no big bookstore chains anymore. I haven't hit the "big leagues" by any means yet, but I do try and keep myself in the public eye. You just sell one book at a time.

[Devorah]

I have some opportunities coming up in the next few weeks to promote The Lost King and I'm thinking it would be good to also try to get preorders for its sequel. I've Googled for tutorials on how to conduct a pre-sell campaign but can't find any useful advice. Has anyone done this, i.e. taken orders for a book that isn't published yet? I'd appreciate any tips. Thanks.

[L.M.]

Debra wrote: "True, it is a slow start, especially as a self publishing author. There's really no big bookstore chains anymore. I haven't hit the "big leagues" by any means yet, but I do try and keep myself in t..."

I know the feeling. Marketing is such a pain, you don't know if you're being too pushy, or if you're reaching the right audience. Without feedback, it's hard to tell where you are.

[Carmen]

S.Z. wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Allan wrote: "Barbara wrote: "L.M. wrote: "Hi, I am new to this group and have read most of the input you're written with respect to readers versus books being published and the subj..."
You can find potential readers on Twitter by searching with the hashtag of the genre you write, i.e. mystery or suspense. See who follows Tweets using those hashtags and follow them. They'll generally follow you back. Also use lists by going to the tab marked "Me" and create a list. Also, check who might have added you to a list. You can also subscribe to lists others have made. These are all ways to reach a wider circle of people, many of whom might be interested in your genre. Find me on Twitter @CarmenConnects and we can chat more. Good luck!

[L.M.]

Carmen wrote: "S.Z. wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Allan wrote: "Barbara wrote: "L.M. wrote: "Hi, I am new to this group and have read most of the input you're written with respect to readers versus books being published..."

I don't have a Twitter account. I've heard nothing positive about Twitter except that you have to really keep on top of the posts and not to promote the book but yourself. I've seen you're account and, if you don't mind my asking, how long did it take you to get a following like the one you have?

[Carmen]

L.M. wrote: "Carmen wrote: "S.Z. wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Allan wrote: "Barbara wrote: "L.M. wrote: "Hi, I am new to this group and have read most of the input you're written with respect to readers versus books ..."

I've been on Twitter since my first book was published May 2012. At first I wasn't sure why I should have an account but as I got more familiar with the tools I saw how I could use it. Automating some aspects helps reduce the time commitment. Now I can't imagine not having an active Twitter account because it is an integral part of the elements that comprise an author's professional social media presence and gives you such quick access to others in the business.

[Anna]

I saw so many authors wonder about blogs and costs. You can set a blog for FREE and even upload a customized banner with a picture of your book. You just need to use Wordpress.
Here's a free blog I've had for a while www.EQforSuccess.wordpress.com

Then, there are paid blogs/websites. The difference is that with a paid one you'll have your own domain name, can install essential plugins for playing video, capturing people's emails and names, showing testimonials for your book etc. Here's a paid website-blog.i built it for FREE though: I created everything, write a copy, installed and configured all plugins and widgets by myself.
www.SMARTgoalsBook.info

Overall, marketing a book takes a strategy, and for it to be effective it must be COMPREHENSIVE. It's not either Facebook or Twitter, rather, it's Facebook, and Twitter, and Goodreads, and website, and press release, and speaking, and blogging, and email marketing, and submitting articles to article directories, and many other activities COMBINED TOGETHER. You need to set a marketing calendar and follow through.

[K.D.]

Anna wrote: "I saw so many authors wonder about blogs and costs. You can set a blog for FREE and even upload a customized banner with a picture of your book. You just need to use Wordpress.
Here's a free blog I..."

[Overall, marketing a book takes a strategy, and for it to be effective it must be COMPREHENSIVE. It's not either Facebook or Twitter, rather, it's Facebook, and Twitter, and Goodreads, and website, and press release, and speaking, and blogging, and email marketing, and submitting articles to article directories, and many other activities COMBINED TOGETHER.]

When do you have time to write novels?... I also have a job and family. I commute 45 minutes to and from work. Networking and blogging just isn't an option. I can do a little, but that's it. Hopefully, I'll eventually write something that catches fire, and spreads by word of mouth. Writing a good book that people actually want to read is the best publicity of all. Yeah,I know, there are many great books out there that have never been read because nobody knows about them. But, heck, it's all a gamble. We just have to try our hardest, and hope for the best...

[Anna]

K.D., I'm an entrepreneur, run 3 websites, 5 blogs, 7 Facebook pages, have a husband, two stepsons, and I'm working on my MBA at one of the ten top MBA programs in America. I actually got a scholarship there to write a blog FOR TGE MBA too. By the way, I'm not even native English speaker and WHILE doing all that I taught myself English. So, I do understand where you're coming from, believe me.

I created time to write my book. I did the video, the website, social media and I obtained 32 book endorsements by closely working with people and writing long requests, following up etc.

Let me tell you what I don't do though: I don't have a cable and never watch TV :-) I spend all my time working :-)

I shared the techniques I shared because people wanted FREE tools. I use FREE tools, but it's time-consuming.

[Anna]

Simon and Marina,

Reviews is a great way to gain credibility. I thought I'd share what I did to get reviews.

I sent an email to my list and the subject line was CAN I SEND YOU MY BOOK FIR FREE TODAY? In that email I said blah blah blah if you want to read my book for FREE, click here to email me. When they clicked, a form opened that I myself pre wrote and it said:

"Hi Anna!
I'd love to read your SMART goals book for free and I am willing to submit my thoughtful positive endorsement and post it on-line.
Thanks"

I received 45 of these back. I emailed these people a PDF of my manuscript and let them politely know my deadline is in 4 weeks.

With that, I submitted my guidelines for HOW to write a review, just so they don't spend their time worrying about the HOW-TO. Here's what I said:

"I'd appreciate if you write your feedback as if you were telling your friend about the book. Answer three questions:

WHAT you personally liked about my book?

WHY would you recommend it to a friend?

HOW do you think my book will add value to the lives of other people?"

After they'd email me their endorsement, I'd send this to them:

"I would greatly appreciate, if you could please take a moment and post your thoughtful feedback here:

on the book's website http://smartgoalsbook.info/testimonia...

on my blog http://eqforsuccess.wordpress.com/the...

on LinkedIn under THE AUTHOR of the SMART GOALS BOOK www.linkedin.com/in/stevensanna/

and here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahnLnW...

Simply copy and paste it and please know that it means the world to me that you actually read and are willing to comment on my book.


Thank you!"


I hope this will help other authors with review requests. Anyone is welcome to use my forms. I must admit that I had to follow up with people a lot. But the result is impressive!

[Marc]

Hi Anna,

Watching you work makes me tired, however I can relate. There really are no shortcuts.

I like your approach to getting reviews, mine was similar but finding the right people was very time consuming. What was your approach to locating the people to email?

In my case I was working off of several lists of book review bloggers. I would visit their sites, look at their review criteria, and try to see if my book would be of interest to them. On average I found one prospect for every 10 sites I visited. Of the prospects I contacted I had an acceptance rate of forty percent. Or it takes 100 website visits to generate 4 views.

I was reluctant to direct their reviews or opinions, as I wanting their undiluted feedback. I am however sold on the effectiveness of their reviews as every time a review is posted my sales increase and sometimes I get new followers.

I like your drive and attitude.

[Anna]

Marc, sorry answering from my iPhone app doesn't allow me to REPLY - just to COMMENT, so THANK YOU first and this is to your question about people.
I had two categories: people on my list who are interested in Emotional Intelligence (my core business www.EQforSuccess.com) and also people who are huge. I mean GLOBAL leaders. For example Frank W. Blount.

I'd just send a PERSONALIZED email saying that I admire that person and for what (sincerely) and mention that I wrote a book and would be honored if they read it and provided me with their feedback.

Now FEEDBACK includes good and bad: do not assume that everyone likes my book, nor would I expect it. Some of TGE people would say my experiences of abuse DEPRESS THEM, others call me crying thanking for motivating them via sharing those very same experiences :-) :-) :-)

Any feedback was taken into consideration by me and for any feedback I thanked people. I feel blessed that someone would take the time to give me a constructive negative feedback - that means they care and believe I can improve upon it.

[Marc]

Hi Anna

Thanks for the quick answer. I can see how you would identify the global players, but how did you find the people who you thought might be interested?

Just out of curiosity what was your acceptance rate? What would you do to make it even better? Thanks

Marc

[Anna]

Hm.... Acceptance rate? Ok. In my first comment about it I said I have a business and I do email to them twice a month. That's called PRE-qualified buyers - they LNOW the value I add already from my business. So I said what email I sent out. My list is 2,000 people. 45 replied saying they want to read and review my book. That's my success rate :-)

Go to www.EQforSuccess.com and www.SMARTgoalsBook.info

You will see that each banner contains A HIGH VALUE HIGH CONTENT IRRESISTIBLE OFFER - that's how you build your list.

[Anna]

For you to successfully market your business/product/service/BOOK, there are three personality traits required:
JUST-DO-IT attitude / EVERYTHING IS MARKETING mentality / LEARN AND APPLY action-taking strategy

[Anna]

Here's a comprehensive post on HOW TO SETUP MARKETING FOR YOUR BOOK

http://smartgoalsbook.info/how-to-set...

Anna Stevens, author of
"Turn Your Dreams And Wants Into Achievable Smart Goals!"
www.SMARTgoalsBook.info

[Anna]

K.D. wrote: "Anna wrote: "I saw so many authors wonder about blogs and costs. You can set a blog for FREE and even upload a customized banner with a picture of your book. You just need to use Wordpress.
Here's ..."

Turn Your Dreams And Wants Into Achievable SMART Goals!

K.D., I'm by the way NOT a novel writer. My book is a comprehensive manual on effective Goal-Setting for entrepreneurs, managers, and parents.

As far as more of FREE marketing tools, you should set up a TESTIMONIALS page for your book and have endorsements appear there with customized pictures. You should have some VIDEO-praise, too.

Here's an example for you:

http://smartgoalsbook.info/testimonia...

Hope it helps.

[Marina]

Да, Анна, впечатляюще! Мне бы такую работоспособность и рвение! :) Удачи на новой родине :)

[Anna]

Spasibo bol'shoe, Marinochka, i Vam tozhe udachi! A English-speaking readers who can provide reviews I'd suggest you find on forums, Facebook, etc. Zdes', navernoe tozhe mozhno poiskat'.

[Anna]

I eshe, Marinochka, you should add social share buttons to your wonderful website.

I just visited it and really liked, but there wasn't an option for me to share, pin, etc it.

Here's how to do it:

http://smartgoalsbook.info/social-sha...

[Marina]

Anna, :) the site was down for some time and initially it had all the necessary buttons to share, and now it's being reconstructed again :))) I'll be happy to get any updates from you :))

[Anna]

Sure! I am interested in your updates and successes, too! Please also connect with me on LinkedIn and Facebook. Are you using LinkedIn for the book? There's a HUGE Russian community on LinkedIn. А еще мне интересно: почему книга не на русском? :-)

[Marina]

Anna, I'm not really interested in Russian community - I have it at home :))

[Anna]

Marina wrote: "Anna, I'm not really interested in Russian community - I have it at home :))"

:-) Funny :-)