Smashwords preview vs purchase

Quiss · 08-28-2012, 09:29 PM

Hi

I recently published to Smashwords, among a few others. Smashwords has yet to send my book to anyone but iBooks but they also have a certain readership on the site itself.

What I like about Smashwords is that they show how many people viewed the preview as well as those who purchased.

After about a week there, I show 26 previews viewed and only one sold.

Does anyone know what the ratio would be of the number of people checking out previews to buyers?
I'm starting to think my preview REALLY sucks and that's not very encouraging.

Would be nice if Amazon counted preview lookers, too.

bigjantailor · 08-29-2012, 12:22 AM

I have sold 27 book on smashwords (*most given away) and 48 previews, in threeish months. So about 55% sales* to samples. I'm certian at least 7 of the people read the book. And I'm still sure it's the best book ever!

It will take some day to get the people from the preview to the sale.

I'm begining to learn the selling is the biggest part of this gig. But I'm also learning I love writing more for the art than the adulation.

Have fun, Jan

VydorScope · 08-29-2012, 06:45 AM

Just looked at mine... they are about 4:1. Not sure if that is good/bad though.

Quiss · 08-29-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Just looked at mine... they are about 4:1. Not sure if that is good/bad though.

Probably better than 26:1

VydorScope · 08-29-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quiss

Probably better than 26:1

Yeah, but you have not given it enough time... takes time for rations like this to normalize because people have to read the preview (takes time) add it to their TBR list, then get to it on their TBR list.

Quiss · 08-29-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Yeah, but you have not given it enough time... takes time for rations like this to normalize because people have to read the preview (takes time) add it to their TBR list, then get to it on their TBR list.

Thank you (really, THANK you).
I just started this whole indie-thing and it's very hard not to get discouraged. Doing a LOT of research and as much marketing as I can, but Kindle sales are sluggish, Smashword STILL hasn't sent the book to B&N, iBook hasn't replied yet, Kobo just posted it yesterday and their search engine pretty much assures that no one can find anything there. All of this should tell me that it's too soon to start worrying, but it's hard.

I've had 79 views on Best Indie Books, I guess because it's still on their front page, but I have no idea what their click-through ratio is.

So I appreciate your words

VydorScope · 08-29-2012, 02:01 PM

The biggest lesson I had to learn (I am working on my forth self-pub novel) is that EVERYTHING in this industry goes slowly. For ADHD types like me it is EXTREMELY frustrating.

cromag · 08-31-2012, 05:53 AM

My free story has gotten steady attention. No sales, obviously, but 200 downloads and it's in 11 "libraries" at Smashwords. No feedback from any other sites, but I wasn't expecting any from a free story.

My $.99 story has gotten one sale (but a nice review!). I'm not too worried. It's a short story, and I suppose people have to think before spending on a quick read. I'm going with the theory that the ball will start rolling when I have a critical mass of work available. I hope.

Both of my stories appeared at Itunes in about 2 weeks after getting into the Premium Catalog, and were at Barnes & Noble within about 10 days of showing up on Itunes.

Good luck, BTW!

Lazybones · 09-04-2012, 09:43 PM

Give it time. Once your work gets out to the other distributors, sales will increase. I've gotten 100x my Smashwords sales at B&N, Kobo, and Apple.

To answer your original question, my sales to previews ratio is about 10:1 for most of my books, but I have one that has 60 previews and 2 sales, so I've got you beat.

Lazybones · 09-04-2012, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

The biggest lesson I had to learn (I am working on my forth self-pub novel) is that EVERYTHING in this industry goes slowly. For ADHD types like me it is EXTREMELY frustrating.

Yeah, I had to limit myself to checking my accounts at Smashwords and Amazon to once a week only. Some of my Smashwords affiliate reports are 3 months behind.

08-28-2012, 09:29 PM	#1
Quiss Spits infinitives Posts: 43 Karma: 493600 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Canada Device: Sony	Smashwords preview vs purchase Hi I recently published to Smashwords, among a few others. Smashwords has yet to send my book to anyone but iBooks but they also have a certain readership on the site itself. What I like about Smashwords is that they show how many people viewed the preview as well as those who purchased. After about a week there, I show 26 previews viewed and only one sold. Does anyone know what the ratio would be of the number of people checking out previews to buyers? I'm starting to think my preview REALLY sucks and that's not very encouraging. Would be nice if Amazon counted preview lookers, too.

08-31-2012, 05:53 AM	#8
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 24,268 Karma: 459220161 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	My free story has gotten steady attention. No sales, obviously, but 200 downloads and it's in 11 "libraries" at Smashwords. No feedback from any other sites, but I wasn't expecting any from a free story. My $.99 story has gotten one sale (but a nice review!). I'm not too worried. It's a short story, and I suppose people have to think before spending on a quick read. I'm going with the theory that the ball will start rolling when I have a critical mass of work available. I hope. Both of my stories appeared at Itunes in about 2 weeks after getting into the Premium Catalog, and were at Barnes & Noble within about 10 days of showing up on Itunes. Good luck, BTW! Last edited by cromag; 08-31-2012 at 06:03 AM.

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08-29-2012, 12:22 AM	#2
bigjantailor Defender of Consciousness Posts: 69 Karma: 3323596 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vancouver Device: none	I have sold 27 book on smashwords (most given away) and 48 previews, in threeish months. So about 55% sales to samples. I'm certian at least 7 of the people read the book. And I'm still sure it's the best book ever! It will take some day to get the people from the preview to the sale. I'm begining to learn the selling is the biggest part of this gig. But I'm also learning I love writing more for the art than the adulation. Have fun, Jan

08-29-2012, 06:45 AM	#3
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Just looked at mine... they are about 4:1. Not sure if that is good/bad though.

08-29-2012, 02:01 PM	#7
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	The biggest lesson I had to learn (I am working on my forth self-pub novel) is that EVERYTHING in this industry goes slowly. For ADHD types like me it is EXTREMELY frustrating.

09-04-2012, 09:43 PM	#9
Lazybones Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 1719250 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sacramento Device: Kindle	Give it time. Once your work gets out to the other distributors, sales will increase. I've gotten 100x my Smashwords sales at B&N, Kobo, and Apple. To answer your original question, my sales to previews ratio is about 10:1 for most of my books, but I have one that has 60 previews and 2 sales, so I've got you beat.