Secrets of Indie Success - Page 15

Steven Lyle Jordan · 05-31-2012, 11:57 AM

I think the problem is that so many of these promotional methods work okay at the beginning, for the first users, because of their novelty. Once that's passed, everyone else is just on the bandwagon, the novelty wears off quickly, and the public gets tired of it. So you either need to be on the bleeding edge, or you need to find the tried-and-true niche that you can just slip into.

Unfortunately, all the niches are in flux right now...

Hopefully things will settle down eventually. In the mean time, why make yourself crazy?

davidwfleming · 05-31-2012, 12:54 PM

Exactly my sentiments with Twitter right now. 2+ years ago, it may have been the magic bullet for indie authors. Now, I've seen aspiring authors with near 80K followers that aren't getting the results they want.

I've gotten 4K pageviews to my blog through StumbleUpon and no significant click-throughs or sales.

Meanwhile, I've noticed many emerging indies don't even have a blog ("BUT YOU GOTTA HAVE A BLOG!!!?") They're focusing on their Amazon metadata. This probably isn't a bad idea.

I've pumped so much effort into podcasting and blogging and it seems that maybe: bloggers like to read blogs; podcasters like to listen to podcasts and ebook readers like to go to Amazon and read ebooks, period.

So many people beat themselves up doing a million things all over the web and their Amazon pages don't look professional.

All the while, while I was doing this I kept thinking to myself that I was going against Ben Franklin's adage: Don't scatter your force.

Also, the "lone hero method" hasn't worked that well for me. If I had it to do it all over again, MS Project would be my best friend. I would look to hire out freelancers and have concurrent tasks planned and running. Most of the success stories I've seen recently have been sticking to their core competency of writing, hiring out everything else and using the latest technologies in everything.

VydorScope · 05-31-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidwfleming

Also, the "lone hero method" hasn't worked that well for me. If I had it to do it all over again, MS Project would be my best friend. I would look to hire out freelancers and have concurrent tasks planned and running. Most of the success stories I've seen recently have been sticking to their core competency of writing, hiring out everything else and using the latest technologies in everything.

This is the biggest key, IMO. I probably would not go to the level of control and organization that you suggest (I do have 2 "day" jobs and attending grad school... with a family..) but the basic concept I completely agree with... at least now I do.

Just4kix · 06-01-2012, 05:28 AM

Has anyone tried making a trailer for their book? I've seen a PowerPoint trailer, which would be easier to tackle than a video trailer. I've heard from readers that they enjoy trailers as long as it's not just the blurb. They want pics and perhaps a voice over. But I'm reluctant to spend time making one unless it will yield some decent sales.

Would love to hear from a writer who's had some experience with this.

VydorScope · 06-01-2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just4kix

Has anyone tried making a trailer for their book? I've seen a PowerPoint trailer, which would be easier to tackle than a video trailer. I've heard from readers that they enjoy trailers as long as it's not just the blurb. They want pics and perhaps a voice over. But I'm reluctant to spend time making one unless it will yield some decent sales.

Would love to hear from a writer who's had some experience with this.

I did, and it is on my youtube, my blog, my facebook, and my amazon author page... I do not know of a single additional sale because of it. It was fun to make though. People enjoyed watching it, and I got compliments on it from fans... but I do not know of anyone that would not have purchased the book anyways that purchased it after watching the video.

Just4kix · 06-01-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I did, and it is on my youtube, my blog, my facebook, and my amazon author page... I do not know of a single additional sale because of it. It was fun to make though. People enjoyed watching it, and I got compliments on it from fans... but I do not know of anyone that would not have purchased the book anyways that purchased it after watching the video.

I think it will go on my list of interesting things to do when I have more time.

Is there a link to it somewhere?

VydorScope · 06-01-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just4kix

I think it will go on my list of interesting things to do when I have more time.

Is there a link to it somewhere?

I will have to PM it to you as the moderators would see it as self promotion if I posted it in this thread and get upset with me.

davidwfleming · 06-04-2012, 01:16 PM

Anybody out there have experience putting some of their fav blog posts out there as a pdf torrent?

How about doing the same on Scribd?

VydorScope · 06-04-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidwfleming

Anybody out there have experience putting some of their fav blog posts out there as a pdf torrent?

How about doing the same on Scribd?

Nope and do not see why that would be a helpful idea?

davidwfleming · 06-05-2012, 01:14 AM

Well, scribd is an online community specifically for exchanging original writings. I believe they deal exclusively in pdfs.

Likewise, torrents can be made of a collection of pdfs and exchanged among a large network.

In both cases, people can download rather large chunks of texts and read them or print them out as they see fit.

(A big reason why I think blogging is so difficult a platform for authors to gain exposure on is because most authors write as if they have a captive audience when in fact most blog viewers are just passing through).

VydorScope · 06-05-2012, 06:36 AM

I understand that, but the difference between a blog and a torrent, is your intention with a blog is to drive traffic to your site or brand. A torrent is almost the opposite goal. A torrent tends to be more of an anonymous market place.

davidwfleming · 06-05-2012, 12:07 PM

I was thinking that within each pdf file in the torrent could be a series of links back to your site(s). This might help drive traffic back to the sights or to links to an amazon store. And, of course, each pdf article or story would have a by-line.

VydorScope · 06-05-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidwfleming

I was thinking that within each pdf file in the torrent could be a series of links back to your site(s). This might help drive traffic back to the sights or to links to an amazon store. And, of course, each pdf article or story would have a by-line.

I highly doubt they would get followed. Guess it could not hurt to much to try?

kennyc · 06-05-2012, 03:58 PM

While I agree it might be questionable to spend time doing it, I do know that I have often checked/followed links from ebook and even pbooks to check out the author's website, bibliography, bio, etc. Also the links provided by Gardner Dozois in his "annual summary" in the years best SF.

mr ploppy · 06-05-2012, 06:13 PM

I think if they like what they read they will go there, just to see what else you've got. I know that's what I do.

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05-31-2012, 11:57 AM	#211
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I think the problem is that so many of these promotional methods work okay at the beginning, for the first users, because of their novelty. Once that's passed, everyone else is just on the bandwagon, the novelty wears off quickly, and the public gets tired of it. So you either need to be on the bleeding edge, or you need to find the tried-and-true niche that you can just slip into. Unfortunately, all the niches are in flux right now... Hopefully things will settle down eventually. In the mean time, why make yourself crazy?

05-31-2012, 12:54 PM	#212
davidwfleming Ebook Dude Posts: 88 Karma: 5183884 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	Exactly my sentiments with Twitter right now. 2+ years ago, it may have been the magic bullet for indie authors. Now, I've seen aspiring authors with near 80K followers that aren't getting the results they want. I've gotten 4K pageviews to my blog through StumbleUpon and no significant click-throughs or sales. Meanwhile, I've noticed many emerging indies don't even have a blog ("BUT YOU GOTTA HAVE A BLOG!!!?") They're focusing on their Amazon metadata. This probably isn't a bad idea. I've pumped so much effort into podcasting and blogging and it seems that maybe: bloggers like to read blogs; podcasters like to listen to podcasts and ebook readers like to go to Amazon and read ebooks, period. So many people beat themselves up doing a million things all over the web and their Amazon pages don't look professional. All the while, while I was doing this I kept thinking to myself that I was going against Ben Franklin's adage: Don't scatter your force. Also, the "lone hero method" hasn't worked that well for me. If I had it to do it all over again, MS Project would be my best friend. I would look to hire out freelancers and have concurrent tasks planned and running. Most of the success stories I've seen recently have been sticking to their core competency of writing, hiring out everything else and using the latest technologies in everything.

06-01-2012, 05:28 AM	#214
Just4kix Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 365040 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Durban South Africa Device: none	Has anyone tried making a trailer for their book? I've seen a PowerPoint trailer, which would be easier to tackle than a video trailer. I've heard from readers that they enjoy trailers as long as it's not just the blurb. They want pics and perhaps a voice over. But I'm reluctant to spend time making one unless it will yield some decent sales. Would love to hear from a writer who's had some experience with this.

06-04-2012, 01:16 PM	#218
davidwfleming Ebook Dude Posts: 88 Karma: 5183884 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	Anybody out there have experience putting some of their fav blog posts out there as a pdf torrent? How about doing the same on Scribd?

06-05-2012, 01:14 AM	#220
davidwfleming Ebook Dude Posts: 88 Karma: 5183884 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	Well, scribd is an online community specifically for exchanging original writings. I believe they deal exclusively in pdfs. Likewise, torrents can be made of a collection of pdfs and exchanged among a large network. In both cases, people can download rather large chunks of texts and read them or print them out as they see fit. (A big reason why I think blogging is so difficult a platform for authors to gain exposure on is because most authors write as if they have a captive audience when in fact most blog viewers are just passing through).

06-05-2012, 06:36 AM	#221
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	I understand that, but the difference between a blog and a torrent, is your intention with a blog is to drive traffic to your site or brand. A torrent is almost the opposite goal. A torrent tends to be more of an anonymous market place.

06-05-2012, 12:07 PM	#222
davidwfleming Ebook Dude Posts: 88 Karma: 5183884 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	I was thinking that within each pdf file in the torrent could be a series of links back to your site(s). This might help drive traffic back to the sights or to links to an amazon store. And, of course, each pdf article or story would have a by-line.

06-05-2012, 03:58 PM	#224
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	While I agree it might be questionable to spend time doing it, I do know that I have often checked/followed links from ebook and even pbooks to check out the author's website, bibliography, bio, etc. Also the links provided by Gardner Dozois in his "annual summary" in the years best SF.

06-05-2012, 06:13 PM	#225
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	I think if they like what they read they will go there, just to see what else you've got. I know that's what I do.