Self promotion - what works, what doesn't
I've been posting material on what I've learned in the last two years on self promotion of my published novels. The intent has been to share lessons learned of what worked and did not for me personally. I just posted a "wrap up" article that discusses the benefits I've observed from 21 promotion avenues I have tried. I would have posted here but it's several pages long. The analysis is based on statistics I collected using a stat counter package.
In summary, my top and bottom three promo activities have been:
100 Special recognition
90 Reviews
75 Site participative contest
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5 Rings
5 Directories
1 Advertising
The numbers in front indicate the return on investment (resulting site hits/time spend during promotion). Thus a score of 100 is my best and a score of 1 is my worst. All 21 activities are discussed in the article along with other author’s experiences.
My intend is to help newbies shell shocked by the confusing array of self promotion opportunities, as I was two years ago. The discussion is offered "as is" and your experience may be different. I can be reached via my website for comments/questions.
To read the material go to Davisstories.com and click the right most "Article" button near the top. This is the last in a series of articles I've written to share my experience and I hope those that read it find the material helpful.
Michael Davis (Davisstories.com)
Author of the year, 2008
Michael, Your article was very enlightening. Thank you for sharing your experiences and research.
Until the last couple of years, I mistakenly thought when a publisher accepts a book they do all of the promoting. It turns out if you want your books to sell, you have to be a good salesperson. And from your experience, if you don't win awards you don't get many sales anyway. It's a hard business!
Caredoe
posted by Caredoe
about 1 month ago
Thank you for the wealth of information posted to your website. Copied your "article" stats and am totally impressed by the time and effort invested. Will look for you on Twitter and post your site @Sharliebel. Also opened your page of "Links" and will return to plug-in to Blogs/Review sites as you've listed important (to me) discussions.
In your Promotional Rankings you mention a favorable number of Barnes and Noble Book signings attendees. Is the reason due to winning awards? I asked a local BN store to host a friend's children's book published at Outskirts Press and they declined because they do not offer buy-back and they could "get stuck" with ordered books. Does your publisher offer buy-back?
posted by Sharle
about 1 month ago
Thanks Caredoe and yes it is hard when you add that it must be continuous. Things you did a month ago die out quickly.
Michael Davis (Davisstories.com)
Author of the year, 2008
Thanks Sharle. In reference to your question about the BN signing, according to the organizer, it was a record for them, 2 to 3 times their normal. The reason? I contacted the local newspapers and offered the event for their local news/community event section. Of the six papers I contacted, four announced the event. I figure you have to exercise all the freebie avenues available. Don't know why they didn't do that on their own.
Problem for me is that I only sold a hand full of books which did not justify the expense of driving two hours (gas). I almost accepted when asked to attend their next bi-annual local author event cause it was a ball. Just couldn't justify the long drive and cost. Now I only do real "local" events when asked (e.g 45 minutes or less). It does reflect well on BN for supporting local author talent. None of the other chains in our area do it, that's why I always buy from BN
Michael Davis (Davisstories.com)
Author of the year, 2008
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It always helps to not have to learn something "first hand" so we can spend more time on our first love, writing. Blessings to you and wishing you all the success in the world!
About BN- I live near one of their stores and if I order another author's book I do it at BN because I won't be paying shipping charges as I would on Amazon. I just pick it up at the store when it comes in. Lately I only order books that have been written by an eons author.
I have not had a book signing in awhile. In fact, I have neglected it for amost 2 years while trying to spend more time on my novel I'm working on. Thanks so much for all the info and the links, members.
Great and informative article.
I've been thinking of having a book signing at a local, although independent, book store. I never even though about trying at BN, even though my book, A Murder In Zurich, is for sale on their web site.
I recently heard that some people are having 'BLOG TOURS'. Has anyone ever heard of these, how do they work?
posted by NHRalph
about 1 month ago
sounds like if you want to write a book, write it for yourself and then ask a distinguished writer to read it. And then they can tell you if it is any good...before you do anything else.
Sounds about right.
I'm happy for you with your good fortune.
posted by tjbr52
about 1 month ago
Very interesting article, Michael, and a valuable project. It looks as though awards and positive reviews are the only type of promotional activity that shows an immediate, significant positive result in terms of increased visits to your "buy" page. Actually, this makes sense. Both are assessments from independent sources that would indicate your books are worth buying and reading.
Its important to note that avenues other than indicated as providing the "Max" return are still worth the effort because they require so little time. Case in point, cross linking with other authors. Takes about 5 minutes, yet I receive 1 or 2 deep hits from each author buds site each week. Its not just the return in deep hits, you have to compare it with the time to achieve the activity. Its why I no longer run non participative contests any more. Requires dozens of hours to process responses, yet you get few diect hits in return.
Michael Davis (Davisstories.com)
Author of the year, 2008
