Promotional tools

[Nick B]

Well, I can only do what I can afford, and only when I have reviews and do the deals... So it will be what it will be. Hopefully morebreviews will trickle in, I have two 5*s one on each side of the pond. Hopefully that'll continue. Goodreads assigned the book to the wrong Nick Bailey... So I'm trying to get that sorted... What fun is marketing eh? Is it bad that I'm worrying so much about sales on day 2, when reviewers havnt even had chance to read it yet?
Isn't it wierd that we will stall at the thought of a book that costs the same as a cup of coffee? Strange creatures we are...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I think that's the first typo I've ever seen where the error is to add a grave accent.

It's a long story - my phone keeps correcting to la France .

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Well, I can only do what I can afford, and only when I have reviews and do the deals... So it will be what it will be. Hopefully morebreviews will trickle in, I have two 5*s one on each side of the pond. Hopefully that'll continue. Goodreads assigned the book to the wrong Nick Bailey... So I'm trying to get that sorted... What fun is marketing eh? Is it bad that I'm worrying so much about sales on day 2, when reviewers havnt even had chance to read it yet?
Isn't it wierd that we will stall at the thought of a book that costs the same as a cup of coffee? Strange creatures we are...

One thing. This is really slow. It rarely happens overnight. Reviews take time and sales take time. They sometimes stop for days and you'll panic and then something might happen and you get a flurry. Try to find something else to occupy you or you'll go insane.

 

[Brian W. Foster]

There's also the possibility of paid for reviews - I did originally pencil in Kirkus Reviews, just to have a quote from them, but others are suggested as offering better value:

Kirkus Reviews: Is it worth the money?

There's also Netgalley, though when I researched it previously, I noticed that unknown authors tended to get very few reviews posted to blogs.

Just a note of caution: it seems to me that authors sometimes overvalue reviews. I think it's awesome to get feedback from real readers, and you need a minimum amount for some review sites. Other than that, I haven't heard any proof that reviews actually sell books. So not saying don't try to get reviews, just that maybe an author should lower it down pretty far on the priority list absent a good reason for gathering them.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Yeah, reviews are definitely something to be cautious about. Especially as a lot of these paid reviews only look to provide one or 200-300 words, and much of it would be summary.

I figured for marketing purposes being able to quote from a decent source might be worth considering, but with Kirkus charging around $2/word for something basic, I'm becoming cynical of the value of that.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Just a note of caution: it seems to me that authors sometimes overvalue reviews. I think it's awesome to get feedback from real readers, and you need a minimum amount for some review sites. Other than that, I haven't heard any proof that reviews actually sell books. So not saying don't try to get reviews, just that maybe an author should lower it down pretty far on the priority list absent a good reason for gathering them.

Amazon reviews matter a lot. They matter because once you get over 50 Amazon promote your book more. Everyone - get reviews! Legimate reviews - I can tell the spammers a mile off now - but ask for them, chase them and thank anyone who leaves one. They sell books. Big time. They should be your priority over a million promo sites*

* because promo sites** give you a quick shot up the charts and then you fall again. Because on promo sites you won't stand out with a LOT of great reviews. (My reviews, particularly on my last two books, are fantastic. They don't count a damn until I have enough for people to trust them)
** and their value is getting your book into people's hands in the hope of getting more reviews. In my case, the bookbub promo of Inish Carraig netted a hugo nom. The reviews and word of mouth were way, way more important that the actual sales.

 

[ratsy]

I think reviews from the right sources can be great. You can use quotes from them on your amazon reviews section, and as promo on your website, and or facebook pages.

I had Cemetery Dance do a review on Lake Manor and I sold around 10 paperbacks and as many ebooks when it came out, so that helped give it some visibility and also some credibility. It cost me the price of shipping the paperback to the reviewer, and I was lucky enough that he reached out to me first!

So while they may not instantly sell books, authentic, good sourced reviews can be priceless. Plus one of the authors sent me a private message to say she can retire after the great comments her story received on the Cemetery Dance site. So that is a great feeling too.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Yeah, reviews are definitely something to be cautious about. Especially as a lot of these paid reviews only look to provide one or 200-300 words, and much of it would be summary.

I figured for marketing purposes being able to quote from a decent source might be worth considering, but with Kirkus charging around $2/word for something basic, I'm becoming cynical of the value of that.

I have never paid any attention to a kirkus, or any paid, review. Ever.

 

[Nick B]

If I quote a review, I think it'll ratsy' s 'a real adrenaline rush, and doesn't give up' review, this made me smile

 

[Brian W. Foster]

Amazon reviews matter a lot. They matter because once you get over 50 Amazon promote your book more. Everyone - get reviews! Legimate reviews - I can tell the spammers a mile off now - but ask for them, chase them and thank anyone who leaves one. They sell books. Big time. They should be your priority over a million promo sites*

* because promo sites** give you a quick shot up the charts and then you fall again. Because on promo sites you won't stand out with a LOT of great reviews. (My reviews, particularly on my last two books, are fantastic. They don't count a damn until I have enough for people to trust them)
** and their value is getting your book into people's hands in the hope of getting more reviews. In my case, the bookbub promo of Inish Carraig netted a hugo nom. The reviews and word of mouth were way, way more important that the actual sales.

Again, I'm just not sure that this is the case. I'm pretty sure that the "Amazon promotes you more if you get 50 reviews" is a myth (according to people I trust who are in a position to know, anyway).

If the book isn't a new release and you're doing promos, you do need reviews, though. Most sites are in the range of 5-10. I guess, in an ideal world, you should be able to get that many organically if your book isn't a new release and you have a Call To Action for reviews (on the same page as THE END, of course).

I've spent a lot of time reading what successful indie authors say about marketing and selling books. None of the ones I'm paying attention to are advocating to get lots of reviews. Instead, they focus on cover, pitch, and promos/launch strategies.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Again, I'm just not sure that this is the case. I'm pretty sure that the "Amazon promotes you more if you get 50 reviews" is a myth (according to people I trust who are in a position to know, anyway).

If the book isn't a new release and you're doing promos, you do need reviews, though. Most sites are in the range of 5-10. I guess, in an ideal world, you should be able to get that many organically if your book isn't a new release and you have a Call To Action for reviews (on the same page as THE END, of course).

I've spent a lot of time reading what successful indie authors say about marketing and selling books. None of the ones I'm paying attention to are advocating to get lots of reviews. Instead, they focus on cover, pitch, and promos/launch strategies.

We must be talking to different successful indie authors Cover, pitch, promo strategies are all important - and reviews play a big part of those promo strategies.