These are great points. I do think, however, that readers/buyers have become accustomed to ebooks between $1.99 and $4.99 for authors who do not have name recognition. Anything above $4.99 is a tough sell, unless you're a professional marketer such as yourself.
It's still a tough sell. My Kindle sales are about 20% of my total sales. However, I'm not really catering to that side of the equation, as I want to sell physical books. I just think they're cooler and those who buy them are much more invested in the product they can hold in their hand. I also see a lot more sales of the sequels in physical form, which tells me that those readers are more likely to continue on in a series. However, this is obviously not a law, as it will be different for different writers and their audiences. But also, I see this as similar to that old adage of "dress for the job you want." Present yourself as an established writer would, and that may lead to established writer results.
I agree. Some of the top marketers will even tell you to not promote book 1 at all. Or to not even release book 1 until you're ready to release at least the next two. Most of us are too impatient for either. Just to be clear, I'm not debating with you about this. I think you're right. I'm just adding my two cents to the discussion. 😀
These are fantastic lessons to keep in mind, and they're the sort of thing I've seen repeated amongst some of the illustrators I've made friends with over the years of working on my webcomic. It's not just writers who I've seen grossly undervalue their work, plenty of illustrators do the same thing. (And arguably they get it worse than us since they'll frequently have people trying to convince them their work is worth less than it is in order to scam a cheap commission out of it.) I'll certainly have to keep this in mind, maybe even reach out for a little consulting, once the time finally comes for me to put together and sell my first book.
These are also all good points. I think certain genre series do follow an effective model of giving book 1 away for free as a hook and then making sales on book 2. And then giving books 1 and 2 away at low prices and make money on book 3, etc.
I don't think there's anything wrong w/ doing a discount bundle leading towards a new book's release. It's a good way to promote that next book and build up buzz. I think that starting out pretty low (or free) on book 1 could establish low expectations re: price/perceived value on future books. I think it might be harder to sell book 2 if book 1 was free, than just selling book 1 at a fair price from the get go.
Excellent article! This is something that I've subconsciously noticed myself in the past. If a book's free, chances are that there's a good reason for that, and usually it drives away any interest.
Especially with where I have illustrations in mind, I plan on having my own book just a tinge above the $15 price tag (not much at all though). $12-15 always seemed like the sweet spot to me, personally.
I did really well with the BasedCon sale in terms of units. Monetarily my best day brought in about double what one paperback would bring in, so not spectacular. Right now my focus is on units, not dollars. Over a week I moved quite a few units, so I'm happy with that. I'd like reviews and a higher BSR that cash. For now. When I have 3+ novels out, I may well change my mind.
You are also bang on in talking about brand value. Too cheap and/or too many sales might devalue the worth of the brand in consumers eyes. An author has to weight THAT into their thinking along with a hundred other concerns. Being an indie is much more complex than I though it would be 2 years ago, but it's a fun challenge.
Really good article man I agree with most of your points, I think it is cool when someone has an occasional sale on one version of their book you can allow someone to pick up an additional copy or an alternate medium of that story, but I would never recommend putting every version of the book on sale at once
These are great points. I do think, however, that readers/buyers have become accustomed to ebooks between $1.99 and $4.99 for authors who do not have name recognition. Anything above $4.99 is a tough sell, unless you're a professional marketer such as yourself.
It's still a tough sell. My Kindle sales are about 20% of my total sales. However, I'm not really catering to that side of the equation, as I want to sell physical books. I just think they're cooler and those who buy them are much more invested in the product they can hold in their hand. I also see a lot more sales of the sequels in physical form, which tells me that those readers are more likely to continue on in a series. However, this is obviously not a law, as it will be different for different writers and their audiences. But also, I see this as similar to that old adage of "dress for the job you want." Present yourself as an established writer would, and that may lead to established writer results.
Thanks Rob! I am preparing to drop my debut Novella and was planning on making it next to free. I appreciate this perspective!
Well, I'm going to pick it up regardless.
That will be very much appreciated my good man!
I agree. Some of the top marketers will even tell you to not promote book 1 at all. Or to not even release book 1 until you're ready to release at least the next two. Most of us are too impatient for either. Just to be clear, I'm not debating with you about this. I think you're right. I'm just adding my two cents to the discussion. 😀
No, no worries. It's good conversation.
These are fantastic lessons to keep in mind, and they're the sort of thing I've seen repeated amongst some of the illustrators I've made friends with over the years of working on my webcomic. It's not just writers who I've seen grossly undervalue their work, plenty of illustrators do the same thing. (And arguably they get it worse than us since they'll frequently have people trying to convince them their work is worth less than it is in order to scam a cheap commission out of it.) I'll certainly have to keep this in mind, maybe even reach out for a little consulting, once the time finally comes for me to put together and sell my first book.
These are also all good points. I think certain genre series do follow an effective model of giving book 1 away for free as a hook and then making sales on book 2. And then giving books 1 and 2 away at low prices and make money on book 3, etc.
I don't think there's anything wrong w/ doing a discount bundle leading towards a new book's release. It's a good way to promote that next book and build up buzz. I think that starting out pretty low (or free) on book 1 could establish low expectations re: price/perceived value on future books. I think it might be harder to sell book 2 if book 1 was free, than just selling book 1 at a fair price from the get go.
Excellent article! This is something that I've subconsciously noticed myself in the past. If a book's free, chances are that there's a good reason for that, and usually it drives away any interest.
Especially with where I have illustrations in mind, I plan on having my own book just a tinge above the $15 price tag (not much at all though). $12-15 always seemed like the sweet spot to me, personally.
Same for me, regarding the sweet spot. But I'm willing to pay more for a bigger book or one that features art with the story.
I did really well with the BasedCon sale in terms of units. Monetarily my best day brought in about double what one paperback would bring in, so not spectacular. Right now my focus is on units, not dollars. Over a week I moved quite a few units, so I'm happy with that. I'd like reviews and a higher BSR that cash. For now. When I have 3+ novels out, I may well change my mind.
You are also bang on in talking about brand value. Too cheap and/or too many sales might devalue the worth of the brand in consumers eyes. An author has to weight THAT into their thinking along with a hundred other concerns. Being an indie is much more complex than I though it would be 2 years ago, but it's a fun challenge.
Really good article man I agree with most of your points, I think it is cool when someone has an occasional sale on one version of their book you can allow someone to pick up an additional copy or an alternate medium of that story, but I would never recommend putting every version of the book on sale at once
We need a Fenrik cigar!