Sales Update on Second Novel: Surprises

Lemurion · 03-26-2014, 07:49 PM

It's almost the end of March so I figured I'd offer a quick update on my recent release.

Throughout the first week of March, sales followed the expected trajectory; ie. down.

Then, on March 8, they jumped upwards, and by the 18th I'd reached 99 total sales for the Month of March, which I thought was pretty decent, and better than the 83 sales I'd pulled off in 3 weeks of February.

Since then I've sold another 75 copies in just over a week and the overall rate is accelerating. As of this moment, it is sitting at #14,510 overall (paid) and #65 in the "Galactic Empires" subcategory.

In fact, it's been in the top 100 of that subcategory pretty much the entire time since March 8th.

Now I don't know for sure, but after spending some time looking at the charts I think I have an idea...

To start with, I was lucky with my keywords, as Galactic Empire is one of Amazon's "official" subcategories and has its own browseable top 100 list. Being able to be found by browsing is huge, because that means you are able to sell to people who haven't already heard of you or your book.

Also, March 8 represented a month after release.

What I think happened was that my rolling sales total for the previous month (30 days) was just high enough, despite the fact that my sales had been dropping, to kick me onto that list. Then, once I was on the list, the expanded visibility started to kick in and sales accelerated.

Again, I don't know for sure, but that's how things appear to be happening.

I'm really curious to see where things go from here.

cromag · 03-26-2014, 09:05 PM

Well, I'm sure talent had something to do with it, too!

Continued good luck and acceleration!

VydorScope · 03-29-2014, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemurion

To start with, I was lucky with my keywords, as Galactic Empire is one of Amazon's "official" subcategories and has its own browseable top 100 list. Being able to be found by browsing is huge, because that means you are able to sell to people who haven't already heard of you or your book.

You do not have to be lucky!

Amazon publishes the list of keywords to get in to most categories...

https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A200PDGPEIQX41

Lemurion · 03-30-2014, 05:49 PM

Good to know, though for me it was luck since I didn't know about that list.

And I've managed another 33 sales since I started this thread.

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03-26-2014, 07:49 PM	#1
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	Sales Update on Second Novel: Surprises It's almost the end of March so I figured I'd offer a quick update on my recent release. Throughout the first week of March, sales followed the expected trajectory; ie. down. Then, on March 8, they jumped upwards, and by the 18th I'd reached 99 total sales for the Month of March, which I thought was pretty decent, and better than the 83 sales I'd pulled off in 3 weeks of February. Since then I've sold another 75 copies in just over a week and the overall rate is accelerating. As of this moment, it is sitting at #14,510 overall (paid) and #65 in the "Galactic Empires" subcategory. In fact, it's been in the top 100 of that subcategory pretty much the entire time since March 8th. Now I don't know for sure, but after spending some time looking at the charts I think I have an idea... To start with, I was lucky with my keywords, as Galactic Empire is one of Amazon's "official" subcategories and has its own browseable top 100 list. Being able to be found by browsing is huge, because that means you are able to sell to people who haven't already heard of you or your book. Also, March 8 represented a month after release. What I think happened was that my rolling sales total for the previous month (30 days) was just high enough, despite the fact that my sales had been dropping, to kick me onto that list. Then, once I was on the list, the expanded visibility started to kick in and sales accelerated. Again, I don't know for sure, but that's how things appear to be happening. I'm really curious to see where things go from here.

03-26-2014, 09:05 PM	#2
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,037 Karma: 459735575 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	Well, I'm sure talent had something to do with it, too! Continued good luck and acceleration!

03-30-2014, 05:49 PM	#4
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	Good to know, though for me it was luck since I didn't know about that list. And I've managed another 33 sales since I started this thread.

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