Internet discussions crop up nearly everyday regarding free books. Some book bloggers, especially those who receive FREE ARCs from major publishing houses… Wait, did I say FREE? Yeah, FREE… Complain that free book promotions by Indie authors diminish the intrinsic value of books, all books.
Baloney.
A free book promotion on Amazon or Smashwords is no different than a publisher sending out free ARCs to reviewers. Everyone forgets this fact — Big publishing gives out oodles of freebies. Some of the loudest voices condemning Indie authors are the beneficiaries of those freebies.
A book can be good, a book can be bad. Free is immaterial, as is Indie vs. trad pub. It’s the story that matters. Can an author spin a good yarn? If so, hopefully her book will sell.
One of the easiest and most effective marketing tools for Indie authors is (Yes, is is correct as it refers back to ‘One‘) free promotions. Again, it’s the story- a poorly written book filled with TSTL (too stupid to live) characters and a lousy plot will not sell regardless of price. Unless it benefits from what I like to call The Emperor’s New Clothes Syndrome- which typically pertains to trad pubbed books. We Indies generally have to make it or break it without benefit of paid promoters/reviewers.
I resent the implication, or the assertion, that a book is bad simply because it is self-published and free or costs $.99. This is untrue. As I said, a book might be good, a book might be bad, a particular book might not be to my liking while you may love it.
Hey, all we’re doing is eliminating the middle man. We’re giving books directly to readers.
Here’s a free book. If you like it, terrific. If you don’t, you don’t.
I sell more of my self-published books in one week after a free promotion than I sell of the four books I have with a small publishing house in a year.
Free promotions are a tool. A valuable tool.
Since 2009 I’ve learned the following:
1. Paid advertising doesn’t work.
2. Book reviews, even excellent book reviews, at best marginally increase sales.
3. Blog tours are useless after your first round, as in after you’ve released your first book or two. Most of the people who follow blog tours are other authors, not readers.
4. An author finds readers on Amazon. Period. (I won’t be forced to redact that later. Period.)
5. Wattpad is an excellent place to post free short stories and gain new fans. All that stuff you think is too off the wall for your average reader? Testing stories outside of your genre? Wattpad is a perfect site for experimentation.
So anyway sweeties, my take. And now I’m off and running. I’ve got a lot on my plate. Laters! Julia
I’m not an author but it was surprising to me that paid ads and good reviews don’t work but not a surprise that free book giveaways do. (Damn! Nothing even slightly amusing about this comment.) >^<
Victoria Danann has really had great luck with her super series the Black Swan Series on Amazon. The first book is permanently free. Julia knows what a hard ass on indy stuff but I read book 1 My Familiar Stranger, free and loved it.
Even great stuff is stuck in the billions of books available. Being free makes you a risk free gamble for a reader. I will try you risk free, but if I plunk down anything over a buck for an indy and it sucks I am ticked.
A story is a work of art but books are also commodities in that you create a story and it is sold in replica in books. If you want interest do it free.
When some now biig modern artist was starting off, his agent gave one of his paintings free to anyone who bought the work of another artist at the gallery. I was to say it’s DeKooning but I heard the story a loooong time ago. WHo ever it was did pretty well - if he can give it away so can you.
I know nothing about writing or selling books. But if I ever write one, you would be the first person I would approach about how to market it.
Why thanks, Roberta! Every author sort of figures it out for herself.
Interesting, Steph. If I plunk down any amount of money for a book, indie or otherwise, and it sucks I’m pissed. Therefore I read samples before I even upload freebies.
Don’t work, Ray. Damn! Miss my funny fix!
I agree with you on all accounts! I’m so tired of people bashing authors for having a free or what they feel is a low price book at .99. And as you pointed out most are the ones scooping up all those free books.
Thanks for the heads up on Wattpad.
Have any of you read TRULY bu RUTHIE KNOX on Wattpad - amahzing!
Are you finished with the rant, sheesh, stop rising to the bait woman….. Oh and talking of grammar, was there a double negative in there too, I give in I really do
BTW: sorry, sorry, sorry I’ve got a headache, think it was the iodine this morning but at least it gave me that warm fuzzy feeling for a wee while apart from the I redness and constant soreness in my back, no idea why I’m keeping not to bad
Lurvs ya xxxxxxxx
I redness = tiredness
Then my books should be selling like hotcakes as most of them are under a dollar. Not happening…
Typing slowly. Broke my right index finger last night. Leaving shortly to get it set. Anny - your books just need more discoverability. Tom feel better babycakes. Gotta go check that double negative. Steph - I will! Amber - you rock!