|
Post by mittywalters on May 15, 2016 10:21:02 GMT -8
Hi, Because of some success I've recently experienced on Amazon (see below), I'd like to bump up my ranking on Smashwords and maybe Kobo, B&N, and/or iTunes. I browsed around in the Marketing threads on this forum but was unable to find any current info on promo services that focus on anything other than Amazon. Can anybody recommend some promo services they've used that DO NOT focus on Kindle? Thanks! ++++ Off subject, but I need to give a HUGE thanks to Ted for creating the Amazon Price Match forum topic! My book, Breaking Gravity, went PERMA free on May 6 and cracked Amazon's Top 100 Free Sci-Fi the next day. I ran a couple cheap promo's (less than $50usd total) to boost interest and ended up cracking page 1 (Top 20). I've been on that page since May 10, currently #8 but slipping (down from #4). Here's a link in case you want to check my current rank: www.amazon.com/Breaking-Gravity-Mitty-Walters-ebook/dp/B00KXDW82C?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0My goal was to gather some reviews on Amazon, never imagined hitting Top 100 Free, let alone #4! Now I'm super nervous because now I'll probably get what I wished for, *gulp*. Thanks Ted!!!
|
|
|
Post by Ted on May 16, 2016 11:01:08 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by mittywalters on Jun 2, 2016 9:19:01 GMT -8
Aside: Sorry for the delayed reply! I have updated my profile settings to receive an email whenever an update occurs to a thread I've participated in. Thanks for the links. I read them all and just finished listening to the radio broadcast on theauthorbiz.com. Good stuff! I'm glad you pointed to Bookbub, because that is *THE* reason I went to the trouble of going PERMA free on Amazon. I'm trying to gather reviews so that I can meet requirements for using services like Bookbub. IMO, the cost of Bookbub is minimal in comparison to the potential returns (as your links above point out). The problem with BB is that––in order for them to consider your work––they require a minimum of 30+ Amazon reviews (4+ stars). I have decent reviews, but they're scattered around. I have: 7 on Amazon (4.4 stars); 6 on Smashwords (4.5 stars); 3 on Kobo (4.4 stars); 1 on iTunes (5.0 stars); and 22 on Goodreads (4.0 stars). Averaged together, I have 4.35 stars (woot woot!) I'm giving my book away with one goal in mind: Accumulating more reviews so that I can qualify for legit services that can put me in front of a real audience (bookbub being at the top of my list). +++ Ok, so back on topic. I'm now going to share the two best promo methods I've come across. For anyone who benefits, all I ask in return is that you please consider sharing your most effective promo methods with the members of this forum. PLEASE! #1. Reddit - free
There are numerous reddit subs for promoting your book, so poke around. This one was very effective for me: www.reddit.com/r/FreeEBOOKS/#2. Bknights - $10 (best $10 I ever spent) You can read about this service here: www.kboards.com/index.php?topic=187219.0And this is where you order the bknights promo: www.fiverr.com/bknights/promote-and-market-your-self-published-kindle-book-to-4800-active-kindle-readers-on-my-facebook-page-during-your-promo-or-marketing-period?extras=1549957If you do both: My recommendation is that you scope out your reddit subs and plan EXACTLY what you will do on reddit. Then schedule your bknights promo. Once you have a firm date, post to reddit 24hrs (or a bit more) ahead of your bk promo. That's what I did. The logic is that there can be some delay before amazon ranks kick in. By posting to reddit first, you'll get a little running start and get Amazon's attention. Then BK kicks in, propelling your book up the ranks. WOAH! Check it out! Fiverr has a Referral program!www.fiverr.com/referral_programYou can get your BKnights promo for free, if I send you a referral. Plus I get $5! Sweet. If want me to send you a referral, PM your email address to me.
|
|
|
Post by idiotprogrammer on Sept 4, 2016 14:22:16 GMT -8
I just wanted to say that I am working on a special promotional site for smashwords authors. Generally there will be no charge for SW authors. I didn't want to start publicizing it until it's ready, but it should be ready by the end of 2016 (if not sooner). I'll post an announcement here when it's public.
You're right that bookbub (and bookgorilla, etc) are good concepts but their prices are way too high now and they tend to focus on Amazon too much. Ironically smashwords has much better promotional tools than amazon, but Amazon has market share plus the devices.
|
|
|
Post by mittywalters on Sept 5, 2016 8:49:58 GMT -8
Most excellent! Keep us posted!!
You say: "Ironically smashwords has much better promotional tools than amazon..."
What promotional tools does SW have?
|
|
chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
|
Post by chelsfield on Sept 7, 2016 23:07:26 GMT -8
Huh, I hadn't realized that BookBub went by number of reviews. Even more stringent than some literary prizes which only require that you be published, not testimonies to how good your work is....
|
|
|
Post by jjmainor on Sept 11, 2016 5:42:31 GMT -8
For one, SW lets you generate coupons to create the sale you want whenever you want. I don't have to sign my soul away to exclusivity just to put my book on sale, and I'm not locked into a scant five days of promotion every three months. I can create a coupon and control to some degree who gets it. I've seen sites that find those coupon codes and post them, but I don't get torn up over it, but for the most part, I release them to Facebook/Twitter followers as a thank you for following. I also create them to last a month at a time - again not locked into five short days. Another thing I've seen with SW is the semi-annual sale allowing authors to link their books to the coupon codes generated for those sales. You are free not to, but doing so puts those books into the promotional list they create for the month. I do wish there was a little more freedom such as allowing pricing below 99 cents without having to go free, but compared to Amazon, I can still do a lot more with their coupons.
|
|
|
Post by mittywalters on Sept 11, 2016 8:44:59 GMT -8
Gotcha. Yes, I've always appreciated those things about SW!
|
|