Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055 
|
Post by Ria Stone on Mar 22, 2019 8:39:32 GMT -8
Found a few articles of interest:
I am still digesting the info in this article. Fascinated by the various marketing methods.
I can say, I did exactly the same as the author :-) always playing catchup!
Keep writing, Ria
|
|
chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
|
Post by chelsfield on Mar 23, 2019 0:45:42 GMT -8
Found a few articles of interest:
I am still digesting the info in this article. Fascinated by the various marketing methods.
I can say, I did exactly the same as the author :-) always playing catchup!
Keep writing, Ria
Good stuff here, thanks! I must confess I am pretty bad with promotion. Lucky this forum offers you lessons in the good,bad, and the ugly... |
|
Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
|
Post by Ria Stone on Mar 25, 2019 19:16:09 GMT -8
Found a few articles of interest:
I am still digesting the info in this article. Fascinated by the various marketing methods.
I can say, I did exactly the same as the author :-) always playing catchup!
Keep writing, Ria
Another link to Self-Publishing info: Wikipedia - Self-Publishing en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-publishingDug out some interesting tidbits:
"From a Leonid Bershidsky article, (26 January 2017): In 2016, 72% (Americans) had never read an e-book.
A survey in 2014 found that self-publishers made the most money in the genres of romance and science fiction/fantasy.
In the past, traditional publishers underestimated the market for erotica in which many self-publishers have focused.
Genres which do not do well for self-publishers include cookbooks, nonfiction and academic publishing."
Marketing Ideas: Building a web presence Building a mailing list Promoting e-books through targeted giveaways Offering a limited edition print book Promoting books through social media Writing a blog Having an author website Raising funds for advertising through crowdfunding Having book signings Going to craft fairs Hiring a public relations firm Generating positive word of mouth Joining a self-publishing group Adding an audio book Becoming an indie publisher Entering contests open to self-published authors Donating paperback copies to libraries Getting books into local bookstores |
|
chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
|
Post by chelsfield on Mar 27, 2019 0:16:31 GMT -8
They are good ideas. But I get tired out just looking at the list!
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted on Mar 27, 2019 4:28:44 GMT -8
They are good ideas. But I get tired out just looking at the list! I suppose one could try and find someone willing to tackle the list for a percentage of increase profits. The better they do to increase sales and profits the better their own paycheck. |
|
|
|
Post by djmills on Mar 27, 2019 14:25:31 GMT -8
1] Build a web presence for your author name listing your books or comments with link to your books
2] Build a mailing list and set it on automatic by including link in the back of each book
3] Promote e-books through targeted giveaways (or not)
4] Publish a print book to sell through Amazon and wide through Ingram Spark via distributor
5] Promoting books through social media by talking about them or other books, not via advertisements.
6] Write a blog as yourself or as your author name, and be regular, (daily/weekly/monthly).
7] Have an author or publisher website and put the mail list signup form on each page
8] You need honest reviews but don't pay for them.
My advice is learn to do the first seven (7) list items yourselves with no cost but your own time, and keep your royalties for yourself. Google search for instructions if you don't know how, because there is lots of free advice available for each of the seven (7) items.
Item 8 should happen randomly once published, but if you have a group of first readers, you can give them a free copy and ask them to give an honest review as soon as the story is published. I put a request for a review after "the end" of the story, then forget about it.
Then spend the rest of your time writing and publishing. :-)
Ignore the rest because until you have over 25 books published they do not work. And mostly they do not work after your have 25 books published.
I will say "there are outliers that get a "best seller" with their first book published" but that is not very often. :-)
Just my 2 cents worth. :-)
|
|
chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
|
Post by chelsfield on Mar 27, 2019 23:26:55 GMT -8
Your two cents is worth quite a bit DJ! Where do you think providing perpetually free (instead of targeted or time-limited free) books would be on your list? Or would you not recommend at all?
|
|
|
|
Post by djmills on Mar 28, 2019 10:38:48 GMT -8
If you have a series, you can make the first in the series free. Make sure links are in the back of the book so the reader can sign up to the mailing list and get another free story relating to the series, as well as information on the next releases in the newsletter. :-)
I have had standalone stories free in the past, but that is not a good strategy to grow mailing lists. Best to make standalone stories $0.99 or higher. You earn a little $0.35 and if the reader doesn't like it, they delete the story which was a lot less than a cup of coffee, and they will not purchase any more from the author. If they liked it, they might try other stories and sign up to the mail list. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on Mar 31, 2019 3:48:57 GMT -8
Done the first free in a series quite successfully but I probably overdo it a bit. I need to crack on with Drifta's Quest 2 to get the new series going.
As for publishing advice, don't forget we ourselves are mostly experienced self published authors and should be willing to help beginners through the formatting jungle.
Went to the last day get together at the art exhibition which I really enjoyed and where I learned heaps just chatting to fellow artists. Made a friend of a chap who has a brother who writes but up against the gatekeepers at the trad publishers. Remember those dark days? Anyway, told him I'm more than happy to advise on the formatting / self publishing maze as I was helped and since passed on to others.
Never lose that and be free with your help to others. It is very satisfying to see another Indie up and running.
|
|
rchapman1
Junior Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by rchapman1 on Apr 1, 2019 16:39:14 GMT -8
I don't believe in giving any books away for free, we've worked too hard! Especially since you receive so little in royalties anyway. I recently sold a large print paperback at $9.99 through expanded distribution for which I received 31 cents. Also the first book in my series is one readers either love or hate so probably not great as a hook! The huge number of free books out there is greatly detrimental to all authors.
|
|
chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
|
Post by chelsfield on Apr 2, 2019 0:12:09 GMT -8
Thanks for that info, RLChapman. I am thinking that what I've seen recommended is making the first book in a series free...
|
|
Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
|
Post by Ria Stone on Apr 3, 2019 9:00:43 GMT -8
They are good ideas. But I get tired out just looking at the list! I suppose one could try and find someone willing to tackle the list for a percentage of increase profits. The better they do to increase sales and profits the better their own paycheck. Good idea Ted, one I have given some thought. Thanks for the tickler. |
|
|
|
Post by djmills on Apr 4, 2019 16:05:51 GMT -8
I don't believe in giving any books away for free, we've worked too hard! Especially since you receive so little in royalties anyway. I recently sold a large print paperback at $9.99 through expanded distribution for which I received 31 cents. Also the first book in my series is one readers either love or hate so probably not great as a hook! The huge number of free books out there is greatly detrimental to all authors. When you set up your POD print book, you have to check the calculated cost to print displayed by Amazon Print then add $2.00 to the calculation. That is your royalty, and standard in indie publishing. Any less than $2.00 approx in royalty is you underselling your book. Yes, I know others sell their POD books for barely any profit/royalty, but if everyone keeps lowering the royalty, it will be a race to $0.00 royalty. :-) At least the eBook prices are settling into $3.99 - $5.99, depending on genre for indies, and via publishers are settling into $7.99 - $12.99 (or higher) for eBooks. Of course, the author/writer is not getting the rest, the publisher is. Best to do your own publishing, and you get more sales at the cheaper price, which results in more royalties. :-) |
|
chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
|
Post by chelsfield on Apr 4, 2019 23:31:24 GMT -8
Great advice, dj. Would you say that mainly applies to fiction?
|
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on Apr 5, 2019 13:02:11 GMT -8
I just like it when I see sales of book 2, 3, 4 or the box sets etc in the various series once they have read number 1 for free. Just sayin'.
grabbed a couple of reviews off Zon backing up my statement. But hey, What the heck do I know.
5.0 out of 5 starsLoved this book
September 11, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This is without a doubt my very favorite sci-fi series that I have ever read and I cannot wait to download the next one.
Anyone who likes sci-fi should definitely read this series, and from Amazon the first book in the series is free(at least it was when I got it).
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent read, smooth flowing
11 March 2015 - Published on Amazon.com
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Basically this could be a review about the entire series. One statement sums it up 5 STARS. Excellent read, smooth flowing, one after the other, does not jump around a lot, except where needed. I would highly recommend them. Any book that can draw in a 60 year old man (just old, not really, really old) and make him cry, is a book that is written good. The books have several emotional chapters that make you feel good about the Human race and that we might eventually figure it out.
|
|
