Collecting statistics

[mickthompson]

My free book has had 206 downloads on Smashwords. You can imagine my sense of satisfaction since it only took four years to write.

Does this number include those downloads from Smashwords affiliates:  iBooks, Sony, Barnes and Noble, etc?

There are also another dozen strange websites that offer it for free - that is fine with me - but I'm wondering would they download it to their site then add it to their library and send it to others from their site meaning that these downloads would not be counted in the 206 from Smashwords?

This has been a wonderful experience especially since no one has taken legal action against me.

[Ted]

The download numbers on Smashwords are only for Smashwords.

Smashwords operates about 33 ebook websites. When your work is published for free it will automatically appear across these web sites, which include a number of free ebook sites.

I don't know if these satellite sites operated by Smashwords are included in the download number you see on your Dashboard. My guess is probably not.

As far as no one taking legal action against you yet, just wait. It's early. You might still get lucky and be on the receiving end of a whole pile of free publicity.

[Ria Stone]

Mick, maybe I missed something, why do you think you might see legal action against you?

Also, I am assuming like Amazon each online retail outlet has their own stats report regarding your book.

[mickthompson]

Oh, good, 33 affiliates, I hope the downloads are more than 206.

I was concerned about legal action because I've named "respected" police detectives involved in the drug trade, and others in a sex in the jail with female prisoners racket.

My sources range from reliable to not so brave. And I have a lawyer on standby.

[Ria Stone]

Mick, you've published this work you speak of?

[mickthompson]

Yes, CanaryPress, in my legal name through Smashwords and on weebly.com.

As to checking downloads for the 33 affiliates, Ted, how could one do that when it is impossible to log in to, say, Barnes and Noble, to check one's account, or is it possible to open an account with them for this singular purpose?

My real question is: how to others check the download rates from the affiliates, especially if you offer it for free?

[Ted]

Mick, your Smashwords Sales Reports page lists sales by retailer. I don't do affiliate marketing so I can't help you there. Maybe some member uses the affiliate marketing system offered by Smashwords and can help you out. I would suspect affiliate sales would show up in your Sales Reports.

[mickthompson]

Excellent, Ted. Right in front of me and it was good news. The Smashwords count has risen to 241, but the iBooks number is 322 for the past 30 days (it only reached iBooks last month). That surprised me because Google features my title at Smashwords at the top of its list while iBooks is way down the list.

Barnes and Noble was 14 while Kobo was zero along with others, which also were zero.

Looking through Google there are half a dozen other sites that offer my title though they look a little too shonky to be an affiliate of Smashwords. My website has also had 7000 page views where it can be read online.

It is also, apparently, viewed from a number of State Libraries so it will be very difficult to determine exactly how many download copies are in existence. I placed in early on in State Libraries under the Legal Deposit legislation so it would present a more difficult task if someone wanted to legally suppress it.

These numbers are pathetically low, but the title should have long life as it is a classic within its limited interest area: unexplained deaths in a limited geographical area.

What I hope for is that someone will start an enduring thread in social media.