OK, so I decided to take the plunge and enrol my debut novel, The Hunter Inside, into the KDP Select programme. I did this primarily so that I could have a free weekend, and I have tentatively scheduled that weekend for 25th-27th August 2012.
Therefore, the pressure is on me now to do what I said I was going to do – release a new web presence for The Hunter Inside that is a separate entity to davidmcgowanauthor.com that appeals more directly to my potential readership. I have begun to create content for this, but still have lots of work to put in to get it ready. I plan on getting stuck in over this weekend.
ASIDE – the trouble with that is that I don’t want to neglect From the Sky, which currently stands at 59,000 words!
Anyway…this little introductory piece is just to provide a step-by-step to how I manage my free weekend offer in the run-up and over the actual weekend, and will then examine my results in terms of downloads, and ongoing in terms of reviews and chart position and continued sales after the offer has ended. I will also include full lists of Facebook groups and twitter accounts that I contact, and any other means I use of getting the word out there, whether paid or unpaid. These lists will be combined from lists of others and what I find through my own research, and will be an attempt to provide a one-stop resource for other authors to use, and add to, in the future.
My primary thoughts are obviously publicity, and I have some great articles I have found that list different ways and means of getting the word out there.
M.S. Fowle (a couple of pieces by)
There are lots more out there and I will be updating, as I said, with a list. I might even combine them all into one post at the end to give others maximum help and resources when it comes to be time for their KDP giveaways!
I am planning on:
a) Hitting lots of Facebook groups and walls to promote the giveaway.
b) Using twitter and especially the book promoting tweeters to promote the giveaway as much as possible over the weekend of the giveaway.
c) Hopefully asking some of you who read this, and people who follow my blog, to suggest innovative ideas to help me reach more people. We’ve all seen blog tours, but how effective are they really? Surely there are other ways to give your book away successfully? Let me know if you can think of any!
d) Asking my own twitter followers to spread the message far and wide.
e) Putting out blog pieces like this during the run-up to the giveaway to update you of my progress and any new ideas or sources of good information.
f) Maybe taking up a paid option or two, but I’m only talking about £20-30 UK sterling here – nothing to break the bank. I figured that instead of spending it on the Lotto this month I’ll spend it on something constructive! I will either use this money to advertise via a platform like WLC at the time of the event, or after the event has just finished to keep up some momentum (thanks to Claire Ridgway (link above) for this idea!).
So, there you have it – an introduction to how I will manage my KDP giveaway weekend. Please feel free to share any hints or tips and look out for the next installment to find out how I’m doing!
Thanks for the mention, David, and I wish you the very best with your free promotion. The idea of keeping the momentum going is from author Jeff Bennington who calls it layering. It is a waste to do a load of promotion for a free promo and then to not capitalise on the buzz when it goes back to paid. It really does seem to work, too.
P.S. I’m a fellow Brit and I’ve just downloaded your book because it sounds wonderful and the cover is stunning. Congratulations on its publication.
Posted by Claire Ridgway | August 4, 2012, 10:38 amThank you so much Claire! I really appreciate it, and your success is really inspirational. Hopefully I’ll be sipping champagne at the end of my giveaway too! Looking forward to seeing the results of what will be lots of hard work (and trying to get myself motivated to do the work!). It’s great to connect!
Posted by davidmcgowan | August 4, 2012, 11:17 amDavid, you’re on facebook and twitter, but are you on Goodreads? The word that is going around is that you also have to be on Goodreads to spread the news about your book. This January, it will be my job for our writer’s group to market the South Jersey Short Story Anthology and I will be setting up a Web page for the book and a twitter site, along with a facebook site. I’m also going to contact radio shows and have them mention the book. I was also thinking of having a trailer made with the help of the students of the Performing Arts if this doesn’t cost an arm, leg and my firstborn. I don’t know if these suggestions will help, but this is what I have planned for our book:)
Posted by marie gilbert | August 4, 2012, 12:16 pmThanks Marie. I am on Goodreads, and will be promoting my giveaway through there. I’d love to have a trailer, but with everything else, I think there’s not enough time to get one sorted now! Best of luck with your giveaway when the time comes – I’m sure you’ll keep us all posted!
Posted by davidmcgowan | August 4, 2012, 12:26 pmAs soon as I get my nook up and running again, I will buy your book and spread the word
Posted by marie gilbert | August 4, 2012, 1:23 pmMarie – I heart ya!
Posted by davidmcgowan | August 4, 2012, 1:27 pmI know your promotion will go well, David – you’re obviously incredibly organized and have everything mapped out well. I’ll help you out as best I can with blog, Facebook, and Twitter posts, and I’m sure the rest of your followers will do the same. I’m so excited for you! Best of luck! And thanks for the mention, as well. I hope my own experiences will help you succeed.
Posted by M.S. Fowle | August 4, 2012, 12:19 pmThanks Mel! I really appreciate the support!
Posted by davidmcgowan | August 4, 2012, 12:26 pmThanks for the mention, David, and hope your promotion goes well!
Posted by Ruth Nestvold | August 6, 2012, 2:28 pmHi Ruth
Thanks so much for your information on the piece I linked to!
I’ll link back again when I write my definitive step-by-step piece.
Wishing you continued success,
David
Posted by davidmcgowan | August 6, 2012, 3:28 pmresearch local reading groups fins out if they read ebooks and amke sure they know that it will be available free those dates, after all local boy does good is always appealing also consider seeing if local paper is interested
Posted by paulaacton | August 8, 2012, 12:43 amThanks Paula!
Posted by davidmcgowan | August 8, 2012, 10:00 amVery interesting David – Good luck with your book! I have also just released my new novel, Forty Shades of Pearl on Amazon:
Forty Shades of Pearl (The Pearl Trilogy, Part 1)
Posted by Arianne | August 29, 2012, 1:11 pmCongratulations, and good luck!
Posted by davidmcgowan | August 29, 2012, 7:33 pm