I went over to Anne R. Allen’s blog a week ago and saw an article there on different sites you can use to promote your eBook.
I though it was pretty helpful and lists many great sites. But the article got me thinking about promo sites and the effect they have on eBooks.
I put a comment down that pretty much says what this blog post will say, just shorter. In case you’ve never been to Anne’s site, sometimes Blogger stops a comment, and that's what happened with me.
I'd originally thought she blocked the comment, but that wasn't the case.
Lots of sites do block comments, or filter them, and it’s a sign that they’ve either made it big and get spammed a lot, or that they want to. I’ll have you know right now that 100% of comments on this site make it through because I routinely check me spam folder for stray comments.
So about those eBooks?
So why am I worried about this? For two reasons:
So that’s a problem, and a big one. Let’s see if we can break down those 2 points further and see if we can figure out what’s going on.
I though it was pretty helpful and lists many great sites. But the article got me thinking about promo sites and the effect they have on eBooks.
I put a comment down that pretty much says what this blog post will say, just shorter. In case you’ve never been to Anne’s site, sometimes Blogger stops a comment, and that's what happened with me.
I'd originally thought she blocked the comment, but that wasn't the case.
Lots of sites do block comments, or filter them, and it’s a sign that they’ve either made it big and get spammed a lot, or that they want to. I’ll have you know right now that 100% of comments on this site make it through because I routinely check me spam folder for stray comments.
So about those eBooks?
- I'm worried many of these sites that promote discounted eBooks won't be as effective as they once were.
- I’m worried many authors are just pissing their money away, money that will take them months if not a year or longer to earn back in royalties on that book they’re promoting.
- I’m worried that discounted books are now going to get the same kinds of stigma that’s currently attached to free books.
So why am I worried about this? For two reasons:
- First, promotional eBook sites are getting harder to get accepted by (even paid sites).
- Secondly, authors are seeing fewer sales with the same promotions that they once did.
So that’s a problem, and a big one. Let’s see if we can break down those 2 points further and see if we can figure out what’s going on.
Promotion Sites are Damn Picky!
It’s no secret to anyone that’s tried to get a book onto BookBub that they don’t take everyone. I’ve submitted books to them on 11 different occasions and have been rejected each time. I haven’t tried for about 2 months now, mainly because I don’t have the money even if they did accept me.
Sites like BookBlast and ENT are good alternatives. BookBlast requires a certain amount of reviews, as do many sites. I mainly worry this causes people to buy reviews more than anything so that they can get up to that 10-review minimum required to get onto the site’s daily email or blog post.
Sites like ENT (eReader News Today) often don’t even email you back. I’ve sent them requests about 3 to 4 times and never heard back once. Lots of sites are selective and picky like this, another reason why I hate the high school clique-like aspect of these sites.
Think I’m just complaining? How about some big authors (and I know you’ve seen them in your genre) that have had the same book on sites like BookBub for 2, 3, maybe even 4 or more times in one year. Why is that? Does management love their book for whatever reason? I mean, I’m willing to pay the same amount for advertising as they are. Or is it something else? I don’t know.
Sites like BookBlast and ENT are good alternatives. BookBlast requires a certain amount of reviews, as do many sites. I mainly worry this causes people to buy reviews more than anything so that they can get up to that 10-review minimum required to get onto the site’s daily email or blog post.
Sites like ENT (eReader News Today) often don’t even email you back. I’ve sent them requests about 3 to 4 times and never heard back once. Lots of sites are selective and picky like this, another reason why I hate the high school clique-like aspect of these sites.
Think I’m just complaining? How about some big authors (and I know you’ve seen them in your genre) that have had the same book on sites like BookBub for 2, 3, maybe even 4 or more times in one year. Why is that? Does management love their book for whatever reason? I mean, I’m willing to pay the same amount for advertising as they are. Or is it something else? I don’t know.
Authors Just Can’t Sell for Shit
It’s getting damn hard to sell anything today, or even give it away. While seeing people complain about slow sales, a lack of sales, or probably the worst, no sales and returns, the fact is many authors do well each month regardless of how others are doing.
Why is that? Beats me. Probably because they’ve got talent, have a sizable catalog to choose from, and have been doing it awhile. But even some authors that are mid-listers have been having problems selling as of late. Could many of these promo sites be to blame? Possibly, but it’s pretty hard to say for certain.
I'm also worried readers will become conditioned to bargain-basement prices for eBooks all the time, just as many are now conditioned to free and nothing else.
So does that mean readers won't go on to buy your other titles if they like you? No, but I do think it means fewer readers will buy discounted books as time goes on and their collection of those titles begins to outpace their collection of free books.
Boy, it seems I’m really worried about a lot. I put a rule in place several years ago that I only bite my thumbnails, if that gives you any ideas. Anyways, hopefully people get some use out of this 3:23 AM blog post.
Why is that? Beats me. Probably because they’ve got talent, have a sizable catalog to choose from, and have been doing it awhile. But even some authors that are mid-listers have been having problems selling as of late. Could many of these promo sites be to blame? Possibly, but it’s pretty hard to say for certain.
I'm also worried readers will become conditioned to bargain-basement prices for eBooks all the time, just as many are now conditioned to free and nothing else.
So does that mean readers won't go on to buy your other titles if they like you? No, but I do think it means fewer readers will buy discounted books as time goes on and their collection of those titles begins to outpace their collection of free books.
Boy, it seems I’m really worried about a lot. I put a rule in place several years ago that I only bite my thumbnails, if that gives you any ideas. Anyways, hopefully people get some use out of this 3:23 AM blog post.
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