Instafreebie is one platform authors use to distribute free stories to readers. A bonus to using Instafreebe is they have author group giveaways with a purpose of growing your newsletter. (Readers get a free book if they sign up for your newsletter.)
I had been struggling with this a little, as I only had short stories that I could give away free. All my novels and novellas are enrolled exclusively with Amazon and enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. In addition, I don’t have the budget for a fancy designer cover for a free giveaway, so I make my own.
Both these issues (average covers and shorter stories) resulted in less downloads than the other authors in the group giveaways. This was fine, as I continued to grow my mailing list, but made growth slow and I questioned the cost-effectiveness of this method.
Well, I found the secret for me to have DOUBLE (or Triple!) the downloads to my free stories!
It’s bundling them into a box set — and making it LOOK like a box set. (Note: I think this method will work for ANY platform, including Book Funnel, and even for sale on Amazon.)
For example…Here is what my Quick Escape: Fantasy Tales freebie used to look like:
And now, I give away the same freebie, and changed the image to this:
And it gets double the downloads, even though each story averages only about 2000 words.
I did the same with my Superhero Wives short stories. I used to give away just one story:
But I bundled it with a few other short stories I had to create this:
And downloads doubled!
You can see how Quick Escape: Fantasy Tales stands out on the page here:
That’s it. I just wanted to share this little trick with you. (FYI: I make my covers at http://www.canva.com and then made them look like a box set through https://lite.boxshot.com)
Of course, now that I have the subscribers, they need to be paired with a stellar newsletter welcome series to keep them reading.
As always, thanks for reading!
–Joy
thanks you advice is as usual great and helpful 🙂
I’m glad someone reads it!
I’m so happy your read it! I wish I knew the magic ticket for all of us.
Reblogged this on YOURS IN STORYTELLING… and commented:
Some great tips here, folks.
I have the app. 😊
Stroke of genius! Thanks for sharing with us! Good luck with it!
Oh, I just hope it helps others….but I may give myself competition. 🙂
So smart, and really looks good! Super info, thanks!
Thanks for reading and sticking with me for so long!
A. Outstanding. Congrats on the expanded reach.
B. Thank you for sharing. You are, as always, awesome.
Thanks Jay! I love the positive feedback. 🙂 You’re awesome, too!
I am not quite at that stage yet but it is good to have this information ahead of time.Thank you.
You’re welcome! Marketing is a longer, more time-consuming road than I expected. I hope others learn from my mistakes…and successes!
Nice! It definitely looks awesome and professional! 🙂
Thanks Lana!
The box set looks great. Is the application easy to use?
I think instafreebie is easy. I use the web version to upload (you need to have an epub to upload.) There’s also book funnel that many authors like (and costs less in the long run.)
Good to know. Thank you 😀