Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers

E- Book Promotion Days

Those of us in the independent sector of publishing will no doubt know that marketing a new book is akin to burning pound or dollar notes. You do all the promotion, you blog like mad, network like a social prostitute and throw money on great ideas, and all you get as a reward is one measly sale on Amazon.

But the other great thing you notice is that one measly sale makes a significant difference on your chart rating, promoting your book thousands of places up the scale. Many of us will know with the monolithic world of Amazon, that being at the top of your various genre charts is vital to the Mr and Mrs Bloggs of the world seeing your book and considering a purchase. But whilst you are dwindling in the realms of number 100 or even 1000 in the genre not even the most avid book searching geek is going to delve that far to find you.

This week I have attempted a bit of a promotion and it seemed to work in pushing my kindle book ( A Very English Revolution) to the front page of the Political Thriller chart, and that’s with only minimal additional sales (less than 10 I think). Maybe there is a chance that Bloggs will get his wallet out now.

This morning I thought of a great way for all of us to do something similar to help each other.

My idea is to promote our e-books as a collective. I have chosen e-books rather than paper copies because most of us sell e-books a much lower cost so it makes the exercise more viable than paper, although if it’s successful maybe we can consider paper as well.

Here’s the idea.

We create a list of interested authors who all possess a kindle. I can keep a register of interested parties or publish it somewhere, whatever we choose. Each author agrees a promotion day and the others share this on their blogs and social networks. When that day comes around each of us buy and download the book on the same day, therefore boosting that days sales ranking. If there are enough of us doing it then there is a chance of success.

Success breeds success, so if it works for one person then others will follow and each of us will have more of a chance to make front page heaven. Of course this does require trust in our fellow authors to do the deed, but what can I say? It’s an idea, if it works then we all win. You never know we might be downloading a great book we might otherwise totally bypass.

Interested to know what people think. Please share it around writer sites, as the more people are interested the more we can make this work. People can find me out in the virtual world but otherwise a mail at norristeve@gmail.com will engineer a direct response.

7 members like this

Comment by Stacy Eaton on January 4, 2012 at 11:56am: Amanda - I will send my stuff to you on Friday.

Comment by Steve Norris on January 4, 2012 at 5:41pm: Ok all my e-book friends - we have another new joiner.

Our newbies are Sarah Luddington and her book Lancelot and the Wolf

http://www.amazon.com/Lancelot-Wolf-Knights-Camelot-ebook/dp/B0058W...

and Jeannie Faulkner Barber - I think I have the right book here - so please confirm

http://www.amazon.com/Scent-of-Double-Deception-ebook/dp/B0066EHB60...

Steve Norris A Very English Revolution $2.40

http://www.amazon.com/A-Very-English-Revolution-ebook/dp/B004NIFT88...

Stacy Eaton My Blood Runs Blue $3.08

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Runs-Blue-Stacy-Eaton/dp/1432769286/ref...

C.A. Lofton African-American Guide to Prosperity

http://www.amazon.com/African-American-Guide-to-Prosperity-ebook/dp...

George Stringfellow Renegades $3.33

http://www.amazon.com/Renegades-ebook/dp/B004ZLE8QC/ref=sr_1_1?s=bo...

Catherine Green Love Hurts $2.40

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Hurts-Catherine-Green/dp/1908200243/ref=...

Matt.T.Schott $1.48

http://www.amazon.com/Skyler-Earth-Defense-Force-ebook/dp/B004SI4AR...

New Schedule is as follows. I have pushed out the days to give more prep time for some

Matt & Catherine 7^th January

George & Steve 13^th January

Jeannie & Sarah 17^th January.

Stacy - 22nd January

C.A. Lofton 1 February to combine with Black History Month.

Please remember to send your interviews to Amanda a few days prior to your big day.

Amanda Chambers Promoting us all at http://www.livinglearninglovinglife.com/p/book-reviews.html

Please can everyone confirm I haven't confused you and you know what to do, and Sarah/Jeannie can you confirm you are in.

The first book purchase is FRIDAY in 2 days time. We can always delay if we are not ready but all of must buy the books others the exercise will not work.

Comment by George Stringfellow on January 4, 2012 at 6:49pm: Just finished my interview for Amanda and think she got it.

Steve, Confusion is a normal state for my affairs these days but I've got it. Matt and Catherine on the 7th, you and I on Friday the 13th. . . Is superstition just another word for good Karma?

Comment by Steve Norris on January 4, 2012 at 8:06pm: Cheers George - Pretty sure that Friday the 13th is unlucky for some, but then I imagine Thursday 12th doesn't always work out for folk either. Or as one of my friends used to like to put. Different day, same s***

Comment by Amanda Chambers on January 4, 2012 at 8:08pm: Got it.

Comment by Sarah Luddington on January 5, 2012 at 10:23am: I understand and will be ready.

Thanks.

Comment by Stacy Eaton on January 5, 2012 at 12:03pm: Hey now.. you all be nice about Friday the 13th! I was born on a Friday the 13th - 13 minutes before midnight - under a full moon and during a thunderstorm.... It's all LUCKY for me!

Steve - I am assuming that the prices you are using are UK pricing correct? I know my book is only $2.99 here in the US.

Comment by Steve Norris on January 5, 2012 at 12:15pm: Actually Stacy the price seems to vary slightly every time I check, but it is the US$ price last time I checked. As long as it doesn't creep over $5 we're in business. :-)

Comment by Stacy Eaton on January 5, 2012 at 12:18pm: Ok - not sure why you saw $3.08 for my book - it has never been listed above $2.99. Strange... lol... Anyway - $2.99 is the correct US price.