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Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 56
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 12:24 pm: | 
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There is always a debate about what works in generating book sales. Book fairs, posting on social networks, paid advertising, TV/Radio, direct mail etc.
I have tried all of these methods and there is no easy answer. I did 29 book events last year, placed adds on this site and others, posted on sites, did book videos and direct mail. Some things built recognition and other generated sales. The less obvious stuff generated sales, library marketing for example and lead to an audio book deal.
In person events were hit and miss, but I took note of the ones that worked and which were author saturated. Store signings worked if worked in with other activity. The time and money invested in some fairs didn't pan out.
This year I'm very selective on events and doing more online marketing with cross video/website/internet marketing. These are the videos I created to help drive interest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LepUS7wFjt4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifafZEK3h8o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqMlQSGHkNE
I also submit for reviews and use those as positive proff sources. I've found that it is easier to built a reputation with reviews etc. as a quality author than to become a bestselling author. Fortunately books, unlike most music, have often become commercial hits long after they were initially published. There is always hope.
www.DTPollard.com |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 561
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 04:07 pm: |
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I've found that it is easier to built a reputation with reviews etc. as a quality author than to become a bestselling author.
This falls in line with my post on becoming a commercial success while being considered a hack. Authors praised by reviews and/or awards usually do not find immediate sales success. Of course there are exceptions to the rule. Is there a formula for success? I doubt it. But if there was I'll bet it would start with:
1. Studying the craft of writing and trying to become an expert.
2. Finding ways to get published that will allow your books to reach the widest audience possible.
3. LUCK. Being in the right place at the right time. Knowing someone in the business who will give you a helping hand. Etc.
4. Money in the bank for marketing, regardless of how your work in published. Do this in conjunction with the popular and free stuff you can do online. How else will you distinguish yourself from the crowd?
5. Seeking expertise from those who've had success such as a publicist or a bestselling author.
Advertising itself is no magic pill. Of course, the wider audience you can reach within your target market, the better. Still, a million people can see your TV ad and not take action but people you meet at an event might.
On a personal note, what has worked best for me is live events and focusing on the library market. I'm by no means a bestselling author, just a writer with a day job who may not ever see a big break. It's cool because I love to write regardless of the outcome, and my education and work experience has prepared me for the monetary successes writing may not provide. |
Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 57
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 08:11 pm: |
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I think many authors are in our situation. Frustration can set in easily if expectations are too high.
I truly have my writing as a hobby that I feel is executed at a high level. The only barrier to greater commercial succes is time, effort and a break or two.
www.DTPollard.com |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1283
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 10:12 am: |
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This is an interesting post. I've been monitoring the progress of many authors for the last decade. As the cliche goes; I've seen 'em come and I've seen 'em go. But I've mostly seen them come. There is a LOT of competition out there. There are a great many self published authors and many of them are quite good (meaning many readers would enjoy their work).
Since there is so much competition it is NOT always the "best" writers that get read and sells the most books. It is the author that garners the most attention that is most likely to succeed.
Of course their are a number of ways of doing this and Hen81 mentioned a bunch of these.
If I look at each tactic, Hen81 mentioned, I can tell you that all of these tactics can fail if not executed properly.
For example, an author can attend a book fair -- that does not mean they will sell any books. The author that engages people will do better than the one that sits behind the table refusing to crack a smile.
I've been to book fairs where one author can sell a couple hundred books and another author, at the same event, complains about a lack of sales. Book fairs are not for everyone, you have to know how to work them.
I've been to many author signings where there were less than 5 people (including me and the author) in attendance. I think new, unknown authors, place too much emphasis on touring different cities for in store signings. The return and exposure relative to the expense and effort does not make ecconomic sense. Again, fairs are better but you have to know how to work them.
Fairs are also good places to network and learn from other authors.
To complicate matters not all book fairs, in store readings, websites, or scoial networks are created equal.
People are often quite happy advertising on web sites that do have significant traffic.
Social networks, blogs, require time and effort. Most Blogs get very little traffic. If you have the time (or can pay someone) to nurture and grow traffic to your blog, myspace, twitter, facbook, accounts -- excellent.
Otherwise I would recommend authors focus on what 1 or 2 things they can handle well and do not spread themsleves to thin worrying about all of the fly-by-night social networks. One of those things should be a web site.
If you "work" your web site it can do wonders for you.
Advertising, social networks and all of the other stuff require a sustained, long term effort. Popularity and huge books sales does not happen over night -- unless you are a celebrity or have some form of plaform which allows to to easily reach a preexisiting fan base.
OK, I'm going on and I have to get to work, but this is an important topic. It would be nice if some other authors chimed in. I assume you all saw this video: http://fun.aalbc.com/ |
Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 58
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 09:45 pm: |
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There is a new tool on Youtube called Insight that allows you to see where your video visits are coming from in several ways.
I have been able to track my book videos down to the sites, search words, embedded views, states and parts of the world my views are coming from. I am amazed at how useful this is and also surprised at how different states views came from sites that I didn't expect. Some site generated views from Italy, Germany and other parts of the world I didn't expect. Other states used certain sites I didn't expect.
I have also changed some of my tags based upon search terms used to locate these videos. come to think of it I could change some of these tags on my website as well.
If you use Youtube for a book video/trailer, check out the Insite feature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LepUS7wFjt4
www.DTPollard.com |
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