Hello, Everyone, I'm a new Author I published my first book on Amazon. I having some struggles in sales I wish if anyone could suggest me new techniques to promote my book better. Thank You!
15 Comments
Hello, Everyone, I'm a new Author I published my first book on Amazon. I having some struggles in sales I wish if anyone could suggest me new techniques to promote my book better. Thank You!
Comments (1-10)
I have several on Amazon. Unless you have tons of readers clicking, you must be in charge of promoting yourself. I sell books when I do talks and workshops. I did school visit, too and sold some. Don't expect much play on Amazon unless you directly send your own people to your site.
Have you completed your author page on Amazon?
Like the earlier comment, make sure you have a website and that your book is linked to the book's page on Amazon, so a visitor can get right to the page where they can purchase the book.
Enlist family and friends to purchase the book and write reviews. Reviews are "social proof" helping a buyer to consider you (an unknown author). Even if your book is not expensive, the reader will invest their time in making the choice.
To that end, don't overprice your ebook; $2.99 or $3.99 is tops for an unknown author.
Take the time to reformat your ebook (I'm assuming that is what you published) into a paperback format. It makes the book more credible on the book page when a buyer sees both formats. Some people also like paper.
Consider getting a professional review. Midwest Book Reviews offer reasonably priced review options. This allows you to add an "editorial review" to your book page. You do that from your author page on Amazon.
Have someone you trust dig into your book blurb. It's a different form of writing than the novel. The book cover and then the blurb are the two most critical items to trigger a purchase by a visitor to your book page.
Lastly, the book has to be well-written. All the above, including spending a small forture on Amazon ads, will not make up for a poorly written and poorly edited book. If you've read samples in your genre, you'll know there are a lot of badly written books out there.
It's hard to know what to tell you without knowing your situation. Here are some general things I've learned:
1. Get out there-that means get a table, go to events, and take your book to the people. Word of mouth does wonders! Also when you are at the table, don't put prices out for the books. That makes the customers have to engage with you
2. Social media-find the social media you are comfortable with and make a presence. Be yourself. Show pictures of your cats. Talk about your baking or hobbies. People like that.
3. Get a website-this gives people a place to land after they meet you. Let's say they see you at an event but don't buy your book. That's okay. If you have a website, they can find you again.
4. Have an electronic business card-You've probably seen those dot cards advertised. They are AWESOME! Totally worth the $29.99 investment. This is a card or an arm band that a customer can scan (QR code) that will take them to all of the online spaces you want them to experience for your book(s). Mine takes them to the website, specific social media, my Amazon page, and a place to pay for a book if they want to purchase. This is good because then I'm in their phone and my business card won't be lost. It's like I haunt them...
The point here is that YOU have to put legs on your book. There is no magical formula. Every author I know on my circuit does it differently. The common denominator is being out there consistently at events.
I wish you the best.
Increase your exposure.
Do you have a landing page on your website for the book? Also, a YouTube video explaining your story and what the book is about could be useful. I've reached out to several influencers and asked to send free copies of my book for a possible review.
Congrats!! Have you considered turning your book into an audiobook you narrate? The audiobook world continues to grow and expand, plus that can also boost sales of your other book formats (ebook, paperback, hardcover). Feel free to message me and I can tell you more about what I do as an audiobook coach & producer.
The best way to build a following is an email list. Talk to fans and connect with other authors in your genre will help you get started if you have no list.
Congratulations Nancy! Great title! Are you selling it on Amazon? If not, do set up your Amazon Author Page. That would be one thing to do.
Maybe through school district librarians?