Pessimistic new author introduction.

mmessina · 03-13-2011, 05:07 PM

I know I shouldn't be such a downer but it's a sort of self-defense mechanism for coping with failure ;P

[Promotional material deleted - MODERATOR] - I then promptly realized this thing is not going to sell without some marketing/promotion; did some research and found that a vast majority of kindle's books never sell. Some disheartening comments about going up several hundred thousand places (literally) in the best seller's list by selling a meager 3 copies made me think ya know, this probably is going to be a disappointment if I don't act now.

So I looked around and a large amount of blogs recommended coming here to post. I've got some weird experience using social media networking in that I've helped two multi-billion dollar companies setup their social media systems. I on the other hand, have trouble promoting myself. Shameless self promotion, as it is, is not necessarily my strong point. Works great if I'm doing it for someone else though, go figure. So I'm here to get some positive influence; maybe sell a few copies, and hopefully come off more knowledgeable about the 'biz' then before I came in.

Next stop is the author's self-promotion corner as soon as I gather the courage to write up a splendid piece on why people should read my book :P

Any other suggestions are definitely welcome

MickeyC · 03-13-2011, 05:19 PM

Hi Mike and welcome to MobileRead

WillieMcIntyre · 03-13-2011, 05:33 PM

Hi Mike and welcome.

"It's being so cheerful wot keeps me going"

For some reason your post brought to mind that famous old quote.

mmessina · 03-13-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillieMcIntyre

Hi Mike and welcome.

"It's being so cheerful wot keeps me going"

For some reason your post brought to mind that famous old quote.

I'm like a ray of black sunshine, I know

Thanks for the welcome guys

GeoffC · 03-13-2011, 05:49 PM

Welcome to Mobileread....

Have you seen the Author Self-Promotion Forum ... and also the Writers' Corner ... Just two of the many gems we have on board

...

Javed · 03-14-2011, 07:51 AM

Hello Mike and welcome to MobileRead.

kacir · 03-14-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmessina

Any other suggestions are definitely welcome

I do have a suggestion or two:
1. Get a cover. Seriously. Your book will be more attractive that way.
2. Get in touch with other indie authors. This way you can coordinate effort. You came here, so you have started well ;-)
3. Try getting a review. Contact reviewers and offer your book. There are many, many reviewers that are highly regarded and a review in a high-visibility blog can get you noticed. There is indie page at http://www.simon-royle.com/ Try to contact a reviewer this way.
Try to find out who are influential reviewers and try to attract their attention. And get some customer review for your Amazon page. (No I am *not* suggesting that you write it yourself, or ask your spouse or brother to write one, but you can try to offer your book to people that will promise to write review for Amazon)
4. Consider running a promotion. A giveaway at some blog or site,
5. Get a smashword account and publish there. You are allowed to do that. You can't lose anything (apart from a few hours you need to invest to formatting your book for Smashwords.) This way you can make promotions by sending people promotion code to get your book. Also for non-USA residents Amazon charges $2 surcharge for "wireless delivery" (even if they only have WiFi-only Kindle or even a Kindle app for Android or PC).
6. Write that splendid piece on why people should read your book
7. Did I mention you should get a cover? ;-)

Valmore Daniels · 03-14-2011, 10:18 AM

welcome

neilmarr · 03-15-2011, 02:17 AM

Good to have your new company, Mike. Yup, I'm afraid the really hard work for an author comes AFTER s/he types 'The End'. It is a slog, but imagination, effort and long hours are vital in promo. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

CaraM · 03-15-2011, 06:56 PM

Hello and welcome. Self-promotion isn't easy, at least not for me. But you've taken the first steps to getting your name out. You might want to find sites that feature bargain Kindle books. If they feature your book, it could boost sales. Do you have a website? Good luck.

mmessina · 03-18-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaraM

Hello and welcome. Self-promotion isn't easy, at least not for me. But you've taken the first steps to getting your name out. You might want to find sites that feature bargain Kindle books. If they feature your book, it could boost sales. Do you have a website? Good luck.

I haven't looked into the bargain kindle books thing, I'll have to check it out but while I'm off googling do you have any suggestions? This is the first I've heard of this and I'm genuinely very interested

mmessina · 03-18-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kacir

I do have a suggestion or two:
1. Get a cover. Seriously. Your book will be more attractive that way.
2. Get in touch with other indie authors. This way you can coordinate effort. You came here, so you have started well ;-)
3. Try getting a review. Contact reviewers and offer your book. There are many, many reviewers that are highly regarded and a review in a high-visibility blog can get you noticed. There is indie page at http://www.simon-royle.com/ Try to contact a reviewer this way.
Try to find out who are influential reviewers and try to attract their attention. And get some customer review for your Amazon page. (No I am *not* suggesting that you write it yourself, or ask your spouse or brother to write one, but you can try to offer your book to people that will promise to write review for Amazon)
4. Consider running a promotion. A giveaway at some blog or site,
5. Get a smashword account and publish there. You are allowed to do that. You can't lose anything (apart from a few hours you need to invest to formatting your book for Smashwords.) This way you can make promotions by sending people promotion code to get your book. Also for non-USA residents Amazon charges $2 surcharge for "wireless delivery" (even if they only have WiFi-only Kindle or even a Kindle app for Android or PC).
6. Write that splendid piece on why people should read your book
7. Did I mention you should get a cover? ;-)

Yeah the cover thing is in progress. [Promotional material deleted - MODERATOR]

You've got really excellent advise. I'll make good use of it this weekend, thank you.

GraceKrispy · 03-20-2011, 04:51 AM

Welcome! You've gotten some fantastic advice

mmessina · 03-21-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

Welcome! You've gotten some fantastic advice

Thanks

So far this forum has been really helpful. Got put up on smashwords but need to get this book cover situation worked out.

Also need to get a review done and on that note I see you do them Gracie.

Interested in reading a little sci-fi?

03-13-2011, 05:07 PM	#1
mmessina Author-saurus-rex Posts: 33 Karma: 88 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: harrisburg, pa Device: kindle	Pessimistic new author introduction. I know I shouldn't be such a downer but it's a sort of self-defense mechanism for coping with failure ;P [Promotional material deleted - MODERATOR] - I then promptly realized this thing is not going to sell without some marketing/promotion; did some research and found that a vast majority of kindle's books never sell. Some disheartening comments about going up several hundred thousand places (literally) in the best seller's list by selling a meager 3 copies made me think ya know, this probably is going to be a disappointment if I don't act now. So I looked around and a large amount of blogs recommended coming here to post. I've got some weird experience using social media networking in that I've helped two multi-billion dollar companies setup their social media systems. I on the other hand, have trouble promoting myself. Shameless self promotion, as it is, is not necessarily my strong point. Works great if I'm doing it for someone else though, go figure. So I'm here to get some positive influence; maybe sell a few copies, and hopefully come off more knowledgeable about the 'biz' then before I came in. Next stop is the author's self-promotion corner as soon as I gather the courage to write up a splendid piece on why people should read my book :P Any other suggestions are definitely welcome Last edited by Dr. Drib; 03-10-2014 at 07:41 AM.

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03-13-2011, 05:19 PM	#2
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi Mike and welcome to MobileRead

03-13-2011, 05:33 PM	#3
WillieMcIntyre Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 30000 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scotland Device: Kindle	Hi Mike and welcome. "It's being so cheerful wot keeps me going" For some reason your post brought to mind that famous old quote.

03-13-2011, 05:49 PM	#5
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Welcome to Mobileread.... Have you seen the Author Self-Promotion Forum ... and also the Writers' Corner ... Just two of the many gems we have on board ...

03-14-2011, 07:51 AM	#6
Javed Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,270 Karma: 1126878541 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Astak Pocket PRO, iPod Touch, PRS-650	Hello Mike and welcome to MobileRead.

03-14-2011, 10:18 AM	#8
Valmore Daniels Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,592 Karma: 2822668 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle	welcome

03-15-2011, 02:17 AM	#9
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Good to have your new company, Mike. Yup, I'm afraid the really hard work for an author comes AFTER s/he types 'The End'. It is a slog, but imagination, effort and long hours are vital in promo. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

03-15-2011, 06:56 PM	#10
CaraM Guru Posts: 924 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	Hello and welcome. Self-promotion isn't easy, at least not for me. But you've taken the first steps to getting your name out. You might want to find sites that feature bargain Kindle books. If they feature your book, it could boost sales. Do you have a website? Good luck.

03-20-2011, 04:51 AM	#13
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	Welcome! You've gotten some fantastic advice