Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising discussion
Amazon Tips
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How to hit #1 on Amazon...
What you describe is the way things used to work but Amazon changed the way tags work a few months back. I was very frustrated with the change because three of my books topped the lists for cozy mysteries and mystery series ad now they don't.Nancy Lynn Jarvis
That is exactly what Amazon told me. Here is the email they sent after a conversation:Hello Nancy,
Thanks for calling Author Central! I can understand the disappointment caused by the discontinuation of the Tags for Amazon Search feature.
If you'd previously submitted tags for Amazon Search, they have been migrated and can now be seen in the Product Tags and Customer Communities features. If you want to make a product more visible or if you want a product to be associated with a keyword, you can continue to use product tags. Your suggestions will become a factor, along with other data sources and our own search algorithms, in that product's association with a particular keyword.
You're already doing a lot to help your books' searchability on our website. The best way to improve your books' search rank on Amazon.com is to enroll them in the Search Inside the Book feature, which you've already done. SITB allows readers to preview a portion of your book and get a feel for the story and writing style, and also makes your book content searchable so that readers don't have to know your book's title to find it.
Associating relevant Browse Categories with your books makes it easier for readers to find your books while browsing categories that interest them. When making updates, we allow each to have two Browse Categories. I did check all of your books and have confirmed that they all currently have the Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > Women Sleuths category.
If you'd like to add or change the Browse Categories for your books, please write back to us by clicking the link below. In your e-mail, include the ISBN of the book, as well as your desired Browse Categories.
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/h...
Besides those listed above, there are a few other options we offer to our Authors so that you can get more information to potential readers.
We offer the Meet our Authors Community in the Amazon.com discussion boards. Here, you can browse the different active discussions and post information about your books in the discussions you feel your book will best fit.
Larry wrote: ":-( I'm scratching my head trying to understand how anyone can read and post so many books at once. Please, explain. Also, is there a charge for your reviews?Being of Portuguese descent myself,..."
Hi Larry, I read these over my two week vacation and wrote all the reviews on the same day. Usually I read a few books at a time and write multiple reviews in one sitting.
Also, no charge for reviews!
And yes, my family is from Portugal(still have a number of relatives there though I was born in America)
Todd
All, just posted a review for "The Second Messiah" - interesting "dan brown" type book which poses some interesting questions to the church. If you like Dan Brown, you'll like this book. Check it out:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
For those of you who like Vampire novels, The Hunt by Linell Jeppsen has an interesting twist. Check out my review here:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Final review for today - like spicy food and sauces, check out this cookbook!http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Larry wrote: ":-( I'm scratching my head trying to understand how anyone can read and post so many books at once. As I said in an earlier comment, he must be a fast reader. That was not a slam. As a high school student, I read every library book in the small school library and seldom did it take me more than a day to read a book and many books I read in a little over an hour. My children have adopted this same habit. All have graduated from college, two with PhD and another soon to be. Reading is the key to education as one of my blogs states. My writing is almost just as fast. I drive three editors crazy trying to correct all of my speedy mistakes. Could I read and review one of my books in an hour, -----I think so.
Each year there is a National November Writers Month in which I contribute a book. The contestants are asked to write and submit a book of 50,000 words during that month. I comply within days. The finished manuscripts do not have to be edited or proofread, although I have that done as well. Publication to all contestants is free. You can preview my first contest book Indian Summer by Dr Robert E McGinnis which made it to the second cut, but did not win. However, as with Todd, some of us just are fast. If any of you would like to enter the next national contest by this organization, you can contact me or check out this website.
http://www.nanowrimo.org/
Good luck all and especially any of you who want to challenge me in this November's contest.
Dr M
Dr wrote: "Larry wrote: ":-( I'm scratching my head trying to understand how anyone can read and post so many books at once. As I said in an earlier comment, he must be a fast reader. That was not a slam. ..."
Congratulations on reaching the second cut. I have friends who enter the nanow??? and they enjoy it. But it's not for me. I'm a very slow writer.
http://laurellamperdwriter.weebly.com
I'm been churning out deadline copy for decades and have never encountered anyone who was that fast. Stunned. Also envious! ;-)As to Dr. M's comment: "Reading is the key to education." If I were wealthy I'd pay to have that engraved over the door of every U.S. school. Without reading, it's impossible for any student to comprehend any other school subject.
Larry wrote: "I'm been churning out deadline copy for decades and have never encountered anyone who was that fast. Stunned. Also envious! ;-)As to Dr. M's comment: "Reading is the key to education." If I w..."
Larry, I always enjoy your comments. You have a good way of teaching others very important principles of communication. As to your comment about posting the importance of reading above the door in every school.
http://drrobertemcginnissr.blogspot.c...
http://www.blogger.com/profile/030911...
If I do nothing else in life, I want to be known as a person that encouraged others to read.
RM
Review for today is a Diary or a Wimpy Kid type kids book. I enjoyed it and my eleven-year-old read it in one sitting. If you have kids, they might be interested - check it out; title - The Loser List:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
I'm doing a promotion for Labor Day weekend where I'm giving a $10 Amazon gift card to the first three people who email me the name of the female character in my story "Crusher", which one of the horror stories in my book "Big Chills", available at Amazon Kindle and Smashwords. Email me at jaymack@comcast.net and I'll send you the gift card. Contest ends at 8 PM ET on September 5.Big Chills
john,cool promotion - how did it work out?
T
I just posted my review for "you'll like it here (everybody does)" by Newberry Honor Winner Ruth White. Interesting book for middle graders (and adults!) - reminded me a little of A Wrinkle In Time - check it out:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Todd wrote: "john,cool promotion - how did it work out?
T"
The contest goes till 8 PM Eastern Time tonight, so I'll let you know then. So far I had one person who got the correct answer. Still two more to go.
John
Big Chills
John - Good luck!Another review posted (this time a memoir) - Six Cats in My Kitchen:
http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Hi John:I'm curious, was this cost effective for you? i.e. How many copies did you sell during the contest period? Would you do it again?
Thanks for the marketing input.
Larry:I thought it was a good idea too, but, to be honest, I only sold one copy of my book. I think I may not have promoted it enough. I posted some messages on Goodreads, and I Tweeted it four or five times, put it on my Facebook and Google Plus, but I wasn't constantly flogging it. I've seen authors who Tweet about the same promotion over and over again for days, and maybe that's what I should have done.
John
Dr wrote: "I don't even want a review from someone that hasn't read my books."I know this is an old post, but I can't agree more with it. Up until I became an e-book author myself and learned about what goes on, I used to trust Amazon reviews. I would often read every review before making up my mind to buy a book. Now I don't read the reviews at all, because I know most of them are written by other authors who are looking for a favorable review for their own books. I did not become a writer to participate in this kind of nonsense. I want my books to rise or fall on their own merits, not through "marketing" efforts that basically amount to "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours".
John wrote: "Dr wrote: "I don't even want a review from someone that hasn't read my books."I know this is an old post, but I can't agree more with it. Up until I became an e-book author myself and learned abo..."
Thanks John, we really haven't done ourselves any favors by "you click mine, I will click yours, you review mine etc." I think the good books will rise like cream to the top, but we must promote and tell the world what we have to offer. Honesty is a characteristic that will sooner or later pick you out of the crowd and raise you up to the level your high standards will carry you to. Virtue is rare and we are few, but we will be on the book shelves a long time down the road of success. RM
If you like a complex space saga, check out my review of Jeff Caminksy's - Clouds of Darkness:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Second review for today - for a fresh look at Arthurian Legend, Check out Mordred:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Review for "Gleaming White" a vampire romance (4 of 5 stars!)http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Great book that evoked a wonderful feeling of nostalgia - The Christmas Gift - 5 of 5 stars from me!Check it out:
http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
After the end of the world what would happen? Check out "The Judas Syndrome" (4 of 5 stars)http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Can I just say a huge Thank you to everyone from this group who supported my this week when I launched my latest novel, Children of The Plantation - thanks to you it's now 34 in Kindle store!Cheers
Faith Mortimer
xxChildren of the Plantation
If you like Graphic Novels - Check out Dan Santat's new novel - "Sidekicks" (4 of 5 stars):http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Wow - if you are interested and serious about weight loss, you have to read "The Science of Slim". Really great book with over 50 pages of academic research supporting the information in the book. Very good stuff. Check out my review here:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Great follow-up to Michael Poeltl's The Judas Syndrome, Check out Rebirth, Here is my review:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
For a different take on the fantasy genre, check out The Glass Wall by Madison Adler (4 of 5 stars). Just posted my review:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
Third review for the day - The King of Paine - great thriller/mystery but for adults only! (4.5 of 5 stars). Check out the review:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
For a really "indie" feel and eclectic book, check out Nicholas McGirr's "The Growing Dim Project" (4 of 5 stars):http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
For a master at political satire, check out Jonathan Gould's Flidder bugs - 5 of 5 stars:http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
For a truly hysterical, laugh out loud book - check out Donations To Clarity. It is kind of a Men in Black meets Bigfoot. Very funny - http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
If you like Bizzaro fiction, you might enjoy Thursday Thistle - very weird...http://reviewmybookonamazon.wordpress...
John––This is in reply to a fairly old post regarding a contest you ran, I believe: "I posted some messages on Goodreads, and I Tweeted it four or five times, put it on my Facebook and Google Plus, but I wasn't constantly flogging it. I've seen authors who Tweet about the same promotion over and over again for days, and maybe that's what I should have done."I don't know that that works, either. I'm on I don't know how many FB pages for different genres of books. I'm probably on an equal number of pages aimed at snagging readers. I'm getting REALLY SICK of people who flood the Net with self-serving promotions. "Look at my new 5 star review. My new cover. My old cover, with some changes. Here's my special, promotion, contest of the day ... hour. Look at my new cover again!" It's really getting to me.
If someone wants to sell me a book, that's the last thing to do. What to do? I pay attention when a friend recommends a book to me. I also read my friends' stuff and popular authors I like.
Flashing a cover on my FB screen over and over just makes me mad.
In response to: "I want my books to rise or fall on their own merits." Yeah, don't we all, but how many millions, or hundreds of thousands, of books will be published this year? That's a big pond to float to the top in.
I'm really puzzled over this. John Locke, who's been more successful than any self-pubber hardly mentions his books in his Tweets or blog posts. I wrote a blog post on his "How I did it" book (which is definitely worth buying). Here's a link to my blog article:
http://www.yourshelflife.com/?p=997
The article is long and thorough. What do we ordinary mortals do? I really don't know. Last week, I won my 21st national award in indie book contests. That should say something about the quality of my product. Does it affect sales? I guess I'd better go check my stats, but I haven't noticed any bells going off.
It's a puzzle. I published my first book in 2007 or thereabouts. The last two came out this year. I've noticed that selling is MUCH harder now than earlier. And my first two books still sell many times what the new ones do.
Just discussion points.
Todd: You must read faster than anyone in the universe!
So long all!
Interesting piece Sandy. I was surprised to find that John Locke doesn't appear to use Goodreads at all.
Thanks R.M. No mention of Goodreads in his book, though he does talk about "all the social media," in addition to Twitter. But how much can you do? He spends he said 2-3 hours a day on Twitter and related. I don't know how he does all his writing/marketing and runs all of his other businesses. He just signed a contract with one of the Big Six publishers for the print versions of his work, keeping the ebooks in his own hands. Makes sense, just to get some help distributing and marketing the books, not to mention design and printing. Best, Sandy
Sandy wrote: "Thanks R.M. No mention of Goodreads in his book, though he does talk about "all the social media," in addition to Twitter. But how much can you do? He spends he said 2-3 hours a day on Twitter and ..."Having been a member for about six months, I can understand why major authors don't use Goodreads. In my opinion, it is a waste of any professional author's valuable time. Members here tend to behave like rowdy high school students rather than writers seeking to improve themselves. They challenge everything said by those with experience in the biz and often put forward their own irrational visions of how things are based on little or no real knowledge or experience. Real world book sales have little or no relevance to author presence here, as do "to read" lists in which the "fans" never get around to purchasing the books.
For the record, this is a one time posting and I won't get involved in another debate here or elsewhere on Goodreads. After 45 years in the publishing business, I've had it with this "social network."
Larry/Thanks Larry,\
I have dropped off of most of the different conversations here for the reasons you stated. I am keeping this post spot open in case I might want to say something, but other than that, I was spending time that I could use elsewhere.
Uh. Did I say something to offend you, Larry? Kind of surprising have all that hostility coming at me. I've been a nonparticipant on Goodreads for years, even though somehow I managed to attract 1,200+ friends. One of the reasons that I haven't participated more is that I have gotten smacked around the few times I lifted my head. Including this time.Hasn't happened on FB or Twitter, so maybe something is going on with Goodreads.
Social media––is it worthwhile in an overall marketing strategy? Obviously it is, given the evidence of John Locke's amazing sales, Twitter fueled. Can the rest of us use it effectively? Beats me. I do have fun with some of it, and consider that reason enough to continue participating in the limited way I do. Does it impact my sales? Don't know.
I do know that I asked a marketing consultant what else I could do to sell my books. "I can't think of anything you could do that you aren't already doing," she said. If "what I'm doing", plus 21 national awards for my books and close to 5 star review averages on Amazon don't do something, I don't know what will.
But the least effective sales technique I can think of is to dump a load of hostility and walk out.
Sandy
The Angel & the Brown-eyed Boy
Sandy,Yeah I read pretty fast but also "listen" to my kindle in the car using the text to speech feature. Best thing ever!
T
Ah. The secret. I've never even found the text to speech feature. Maybe I should look for it. Though I've found with CDs that I can't listen and drive. I get so involved in the story that I forget about driving. Not a good plan.Mostly I listen to hard rock or NPR. The former does not involve my brain at all.
Mysterious content of message deleted, many thanks, Tom for telling me how to do this.Sherry
Just a quick note of thanks to everyone who supported the tagging site over the years and recently the new book review site. Also, the second book in my time travel series is just days away from release! Stay tuned - makes a great christmas present for those sci/fi fans!
Todd
Terrific, Todd! Let us know the big day and where to get the book. (Amazon, duh?) I'll have to check out your review site. Is the tagging site still going?And––my screen shows a mishmash of posts by me and others above Todd's. What's all that?
Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising
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I recommend any who wants to sell to libraries invests in creating CIP data. Quality Books will create it for you for $100 if you are self-published.