After releasing four books, I’ve tweaked and retweaked my new-release marketing plan. I’d love feedback on ways to improve it, but here’s what I have so far.
First, I release a first in a series at 99 cents for 8 days, though when I release Fur & Feathers, I may try a release at full price ($2.99). The reason for 99 cents is to encourage sales and hope that the Amazon algorithms pick it up to be “sticky.”
Here’s my advertising plan:
Paid Promos: | Schedule about $100 of paid promos (This also helps with Kindle unlimited page reads) I learned that more promos is not worth it, as you end up hitting the same readers over and over. |
Newsletter Swaps: | Participate in as many newsletter swaps as possible – make sure to have a sign up and require proof they shared. Also, send a reminder/confirmation, otherwise, sometimes I think the other authors forget to do their end of the swap. Honestly, I think with the right network of authors & newsletters, you could do a release solely on free swaps. |
Multi Author Cross Promo: | Sign up for as many KU or 99 cent sales as you can find. |
Create your own KU & 99 Cent Cross Promo if not many are available during your release week. I did this, you can see what they looked like HERE (99 cents) or HERE (KU) | |
Daycause campaign: | Create & ask for support. I used to use Headtalker, but they went out of business. Thunderclap is another one, but you need so many supporters, I fear I’d work hard and my campaign would never be published. |
Social Media: | Post on all channels you utilize. I think, at some point, I need to break into you tube. |
Schedule twitter & facebook posts | |
Blog Post | |
Boost Facebook Post: | People who like your page & their friends. This has been the most effective for me. |
Genre Targeted – I haven’t found much success with this yet. | |
AMS Ad: | Begin selecting keywords early. |
My Newsletter: | Send on day 2 or so. Resend in 24 hours to non-openers or do the below. |
Non-openers (a thank you on my new release) – Day 6 | |
Non-openers (gmail-repeat last email) – Day 8 | |
Other | Bookbub email – automatic, work on gaining follows |
Amazon email – automatic, work on gaining follows | |
KDROi promos | |
Misc Ideas | Goodreads Giveaway |
Amazon Giveaway | |
Sample Chapters on Instafreebies | |
Schedule a Facebook Hop | |
Blot tour? | |
Post on reader facebook pages? | |
Goodreads Lists? | |
So what does it all look like? Here’s how my release of Hidden: A Pregnant Fairy Godmother’s Journey went. I don’t follow the plan above perfectly, but it serves as a guide. Of note, I couldn’t promote using some of my favorite paid promo sites because of my story being a novella or they were booked when I contacted them. Also, some of the paid sights below, I wouldn’t use again due to lack of sales.
**Note: I had a 3 month pre-order period. For Amazon, this does nothing to help your ranking, but does help build also-boughts for some free advertising a little later.
Date | Price | Promo 1 | Promo 2 |
11/7/2017 | still on pre-order | Reader’s Gazette | 1 Author Newsletter Swap |
11/8/2017 | pre-order | ||
11/9/2017 | $0.99 | Facebook AMSMy Kindle Unlimited Promo |
KDROi (until the 14th) 1 Author Newsletter SwapBookbub Email (automatic) |
11/10/2017 | $0.99 | Book Sends/eReader IQ Amazon New Release Email Choosy Bookworm |
My Mailing List (List 1 – 1st 1/2) |
11/11/2017 | $0.99 | Book Runes | My Mailing List (List 1 – 2nd 1/2) Resend Mailing list 1 (1st) after 25 hrs |
11/12/2017 | $0.99 | Romancing the Dragon | Blog Post Resend Mailing List 1 (2nd) after 25 hrs |
11/13/2017 | $0.99 | Fussy Librarian | Author Newsletter Swap |
11/14/2017 | $0.99 | eReader Café | 3 Author Newsletter Swaps |
11/15/2017 | $0.99 | Awesome Gang | 2 Author Newsletter Swaps |
11/16/2017 | $0.99 | BK Knights | 1 Author Newsletter Swap |
11/17/2017 | $0.99 | My 99 Cent Promo | My Mailing List (list 2) 1 Author Newsletter Swap |
11/18/2017 | $0.99 | My 99 Cent Promo Light UF Promo |
My Mailing List again (list 2) |
11/19/2017 | $0.99 | My 99 Cent Promo Light UF Promo |
|
11/20/2017 | $2.99 | ||
11/21/2017 | $2.99 | ||
11/22/2017 | $2.99 |
How am I doing so far? Okay, but I have four more days to go at 99 cents. Someday I’d love to discover the secret formula, but I think massive sales takes a bit of luck as well. Here are my Amazon sales charts so far:
And don’t forget, I hit #1 in a category (humorous fantasy) and earned the elusive Amazon best seller ribbon. Both of which are a huge win for me!!!
Oh, and I saw my name on the same page with two of my favorite authors, Patricia Briggs & Robin McKinley. You can’t put a price tag on that one.
Wow! Okay, I am book-marking this page.
I am still in process of getting my first book ready to publish, cover, formatting, etc. This really brings into focus what I am undertaking.
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Congrats!
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Reblogged this on E. Paige Burks and commented:
Anyone in need of marketing strategy? Joynell Schultz tells us how she boosted her book Hidden to a #1 spot on Amazon!
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I’m still in the book making phase but when reading Chris Fox’s books and other bits n pieces, maybe trying a longer preorder with ads to get the also-boughts?
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I forgot to add that in my plan! Great point. I had my book up for a 3 month pre-order, and when the also-boughts came in a few days ago, I saw a jump in the number of sales. I’m going up to edit. Thanks for pointing it out!
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Do you have any good ideas for hard copies?
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I sell hard copies at my parent’s zoo with a little bit of success. I haven’t reached out to bookstores yet. What I hear from other authors is that its all about book signings and local trade shoes to get your name out there. I have no idea large scale.
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What’s a trade shoe? I haven’t heard that term before. When my book gets printed, I plan to rent booths at shopping malls and festivals to sell the books.
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Sorry, I mistyped. Trade Shows. I know someone that goes to comic con. Another who goes to the local conventions put on by her town.
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I find a lot of authors overlook the commitment of marketing their book. Kindle publishing is also a possible place for freelance writers to create a new revenue stream. It certainly helps with the marketing platform! While starting on Kindle is pretty simple, you need a guide to show you how to get publishing the RIGHT WAY and to get sales fast….
https://blogwritingprofits.com/amazing-passive-income-from-amazon-kindle-ebooks/
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