Name your most successful marketing technique

[Marina]

It is! :)

[Frederick]

My free give away ends today and there has been 666 downloads - is this a reasonable number or should I go out and shoot myself? The book is non-fiction and about WWI so I expected less interest but I was hoping for perhaps 1000.

[Anna]

I think 666 is awesome - that's very close to their average. You're good I think. Definitely do NOT shoot yourself :-) :-) :-)

[Frederick]

I couldn't shoot myself - I pawned my gun to pay for the book trailer. Thank you for your input for this is my first book and I haven't the slightest idea of what the numbers mean.

Now I must address the "You're good I think". Is it that you think my numbers are good, you think, or my book book is good you think? I really like the "awesome" word!! Most of the time people think that I'm "off-some".

[Anna]

Frederick,

:-) You have a great sense of humor :-)

Here's where you can find great info on book promotion:
http://smartgoalsbook.info/blog/

[Frederick]

I fell right into your trap!! You're good! Thanks I'll check it out.

[Anna]

Devorah wrote: "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 t..."

I sold many books already, yet the book has NOT been published as of today.

You can go to www.SMARTgoalsBook.info and see the widget on the right. I started having money pouring into my PayPal as soon as my book trailer was published:

http://youtu.be/ahnLnWvcEr0

I sent an e-mail to my list, posted on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Plus, etc.

What you need to do:
Set up a PayPal account
Create a PayPal button to PRE-sell your book
Copy the HTML code
Insert it to your website along with the image of your book
ALSO PERFORM REGULAR MARKETING ACTIVITIES OUTLINES IN mY YESTERDAY's TWEET TO DRIVE TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE.

https://twitter.com/SMARTgoalsBook

I'm big on radio-interviews and have been interviewed many times. This usually drives traffic as well. And it's good for your SEO - makes you more foundable on the web.

Here's a comprehensive blog on step-by-step what and HOW to do things:

http://smartgoalsbook.info/blog/

[Sara]

Thanks Devorah for the tips...that is an unusual name by the way
Sara

[Jeffrey]

Has anyone had success with a book trailer?

[Anna]

Jeffrey wrote: "Has anyone had success with a book trailer?"

Jeffrey, absolutely! I shared here in this forum that as soon as I released my book trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahnLnW... the money for BOOK PREORDERS started pouring into my PayPal account.

It may run very expensive unless you do a lot of work by yourself. I created my own SCRIPT and developed the CONCEPT for the video. It's now all over YouTube reposted by people as an example:

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

If you want something like this - 258 words, 1.5 min, I'd be happy to help you produce it. It's interactive and attention-catching. Most importantly, the script should be a STORY.

Anna Stevens
www.SMARTgoalsBook.info

[Anna]

Sara wrote: "Thanks Devorah for the tips...that is an unusual name by the way
Sara"

Sara, my name is Anna :-) Nothing unusual.
You are very welcome for the tips :-)

[L.M.]

Has anyone promoted their books on Tumblr? I just signed up, can't figure it out but it seems a lot like Pinterest.

[Ty]

Anna,

can you give an example of your marketing calendar?

[John]

Frederick wrote: "My free give away ends today and there has been 666 downloads - is this a reasonable number or should I go out and shoot myself? The book is non-fiction and about WWI so I expected less interest bu..."
that's 10 times my downloads for a short story anthology. I have no idea what "normal" is, but sounds like you did fine.

[C.P.]

L.M. wrote: "Has anyone promoted their books on Tumblr? I just signed up, can't figure it out but it seems a lot like Pinterest."

I don't promote my books directly on Tumblr, but I do create mini-posts there that link to my blog, so I promote there indirectly. However, after three months, I have all of six followers....

[L.M.]

C.P. wrote: "L.M. wrote: "Has anyone promoted their books on Tumblr? I just signed up, can't figure it out but it seems a lot like Pinterest."

I don't promote my books directly on Tumblr, but I do create mini-..."

So you don't recommend it. On Pinterest, I started it last month and have 32 so it's not growing as fast I had hoped but am not complaining.

[C.P.]

L.M. wrote: "So you don't recommend it. On Pinterest, I started it last month and have 32 so it's not growing as fast I had hoped but am not complaining."

If you have it already, I would use it. I just would not have great expectations of it. Even compared to Facebook and Pinterest, Tumblr seems to build very slowly.

I have said this before, but I'll repeat it: of all the social networks I have joined, Goodreads has been the most useful in terms of connecting with readers. You just have to use it wisely, by focusing on building relationships rather than on selling books.

[Judy]

I second that. Most of my direct sales have been the result of people I've met on Goodreads. It's not by promoting the book either, but by joining discussions and just talking to readers about whatever the subject may be.

[L.M.]

C.P. and Judy, thanks for the advice.

[Devorah]

Wasnt' sure this was the right discussion for this question but I didn't want to start a new thread. Anyone know anything about Half Price books, royalties and POD? A friend told me that he ordered and received a new, not a used, copy of my book from Half Price but I don't see that sale recorded anywhere, not createspace nor smashwords. Anyone have a clue?

[Debra]

I am taking some advice about donating some of mr proceeds to a charity. I've been posting it on my facebook. I hope it generates more sales for me. I have my own website where I sell my book and I blog. It's www.debramunden.com

[Devorah]

Answered my own question about Half Price Books: Royalties for titles sold through Ingram, which this likely was, will appear approximately 30 days after the end of the month in which the sales were made. So don't spend your royalty chickens before they hatch.
I'll check again in April or May.

[Nenia]

My most successful marketing technique has just been to reach out to readers and reviewers with courtesy, kindness, and the occasional promotion. I think of my GR friends as actual friends, and treat them as such. They are doing me a service by purchasing my books, and I try to do my very best as an independent author to meet their expectations. I also read and review actively on the site; it's a great way to meet people with similar taste in books.

[Sara]

Excellent perspective Nenia,
Sara

[Nenia]

Sara wrote: "Excellent perspective Nenia,
Sara"

Thank you, Sara! :)

[L.M.]

Nenia wrote: "My most successful marketing technique has just been to reach out to readers and reviewers with courtesy, kindness, and the occasional promotion. I think of my GR friends as actual friends, and tre..."

Nice outlook, Nenia.

[Nenia]

L.M. wrote: "Nenia wrote: "My most successful marketing technique has just been to reach out to readers and reviewers with courtesy, kindness, and the occasional promotion. I think of my GR friends as actual fr..."

Thanks, L.M.!

[Frederick]

I've been contacting history magazines in the UK asking for a book review. I hit pay dirt! Michele McGrath of the London Daily Telegraph is reviewing my book! Right now it is a good thing, I'll have to wait for her review before I jump for joy.

[Darlene]

Frederick wrote: "I've been contacting history magazines in the UK asking for a book review. I hit pay dirt! Michele McGrath of the London Daily Telegraph is reviewing my book! Right now it is a good thing, I'll hav..."

Very cool. Congrats! Hope it turns out worth jumping for!

[Jeffrey]

Frederick,

Congrats! I hope that this is just the beginning for you and your book!

[Cherie]

Everyone talks about video pr, so I had this one made using an actual review from Amazon. So where should I post it? It's on my FB book page, and the book's blog, but there have been only a few watchers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv4_0c...

Any ideas, now that I have it, of where else I might post it? Or do you think it's terrible and I should toss it?

I appreciate any thoughts.

[Marina]

Cherie wrote: "Everyone talks about video pr, so I had this one made using an actual review from Amazon. So where should I post it? It's on my FB book page, and the book's blog, but there have been only a few wat..."

Dear Cherie, I just looked into your video, but there's no sound! The girl and the book cover look lovely, though. Do something about the sound, and check the tags for your book.

Good luck with everything!

[Cherie]

Hi Marina,
Just checked the link and the video played perfectly on my computer. Maybe your sound was turned off?

I have lots of tags; not sure what you mean?

Thank you so much for trying to help me! It's a jungle, and we all need to band together. :)

xo

[Jeffrey]

I am not sure that this is the proper place to post this question, but here goes. My book is enrolled in KDP. I am just finishing up the free promotion. It is listed #1 in its category on Amazon. Can I consider myself a "bestselling author"? Would you use this in promoting the book?

[Marina]

Cherie wrote: "Hi Marina,
Just checked the link and the video played perfectly on my computer. Maybe your sound was turned off?

I have lots of tags; not sure what you mean?

Thank you so much for trying to help ..."

Dear Cherie, we most certainly should work together! :)
My sound was turned on specifically for your video (I usually have it off), and I checked out your video just now, and again no sound! So perhaps you need to do something about it. Try it on different computers, at friends' or whenever there is internet available, like malls or supermarkets - it'll give you more clicks, by the way :)
As for tags, you can try searching other titles in your genre and see what they use to attract attention - you can see their tags if you search for them.

[Marina]

Jeffrey wrote: "I am not sure that this is the proper place to post this question, but here goes. My book is enrolled in KDP. I am just finishing up the free promotion. It is listed #1 in its category on Amazon..."

I wouldn't post this in promoting the book; such kind of 'result' is elusive and can evaporate in a week. So you'd better wait this time and see what will be left.
Here's an article about free days on Amazon; you may want to look at it
http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/20...

[Christine]

Debra wrote: "I am taking some advice about donating some of mr proceeds to a charity. I've been posting it on my facebook. I hope it generates more sales for me. I have my own website where I sell my book and I..."

I got that idea as well, but I am only starting the process of selling and promoting my book. At the moment it is free to download.

[Cherie]

Marina, thank you for giving me feedback on the effectiveness of my book video. I'm puzzled about the lack of sound, as no other person has had that issue. I will take your advice and check myself on other computers.

If anyone else wants to chime in, I'd appreciate it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv4_0c...

Do you get sound?

As for the tags, I have so many, I can't imagine that I left anything important out: book, reading, memoir, death, grief, dance, cancer, Paris, Los Angeles, Mexico, Buenos Aires, survival, tango...

[Marina]

Cherie wrote: "Marina, thank you for giving me feedback on the effectiveness of my book video. I'm puzzled about the lack of sound, as no other person has had that issue. I will take your advice and check myself ..."

And did you include 'book trailer'? :)

[Cherie]

It's included now! Thank you.

[L.M.]

Cherie wrote: "It's included now! Thank you."

The sound worked fine on my computer.

[Marina]

L.M. wrote: "Cherie wrote: "It's included now! Thank you."

The sound worked fine on my computer."

Hmm, that's very mysterious then...

[Kevin]

I am getting sound as well. Good video, you have a great camera presence. Best of luck with your promotions!

[Cherie]

Thanks for checking and your comments, Kevin!

[Edward]

Getting on radio, and paying for a programs contact list if need be. Foundering Fathers What Jefferson Franklin and Abigail Adams Saw in Modern D.C.!

[Joan]

I'm new to group and not sure where to post this but think it important. My local bookstore and other stores are forming partnerships with KOBO. I think the survival of brick and mortar stores important and also working with and through the store helps my sales in both paperback and ebook. Russosbooks.com has run all three of my Diana Hunter Thrillers, Old Poison, Silent Coup and Corportacracy Rules, on the front page of their web page with KOBO links. In light of the next big bite Amazon has just taken, I think working with our stores helpful both to writers and to the overall health of the market place.

[Judy]

Kobo looks like it's going to have a bright future in eBook distribution. I'm doing the KDP select until the end of June for my novel but I have short stories up there on Kobo and will have my book back up there again once the promotion runs out.

Thanks for the heads up!

[Marc]

Another example of the right content finding the right audience and what then happens. By no means for everyone but isn't that the usual story behind every success story?

Duck Dynasty

[Travis]

The most successful thing I've done is put the book(s) up on Smashwords, wait for B&N and Apple to get them listed, and then have Amazon price match for free.

I'm sure that's not considered successful unless you are me, and I am really only interested in getting my name on reader minds so when I release the four novels that are either already finished and in editing, or very close (more than 75%) to being done, I will have a small head start.

[P.S.]

Hi all

My book is for intermediate age and above. Given most kids these days can access a reading device, tablet etc, I give my e-book away in return for an honest review.

I don't always get a review, but the ones I do receive are honest. The giveaway makes me feel good about getting kids reading, and the appreciative kids often tell their mates how great the book was. Some of the reviews below are from e-book giveaways

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

It's vital to have a decent book to use this approach. Also, you have to enjoy the feel-good factor of giving kids a buzz from appreciating a great novel more than chasing the dollar, but my view is that if the world enjoys your book, the $$$ will come eventually.

Many Thanks
PS Mokha