Read on Twitter
(1/12)
I've seen a lot of posts lately by writers asking why Twitter isn't working to sell their books as they expect and I have no real answer to that question, but I'm going to turn it around and explore it from a buyer's perspective...
I've seen a lot of posts lately by writers asking why Twitter isn't working to sell their books as they expect and I have no real answer to that question, but I'm going to turn it around and explore it from a buyer's perspective...
(2/12)
First, I am a writer and a reader. I read over 200 books a year and I'd guess about a third (if not a little more) are indie books.
Second, I am not a marketer and don't think of Twitter as a sales platform.
Okay, with that said, let's begin...
First, I am a writer and a reader. I read over 200 books a year and I'd guess about a third (if not a little more) are indie books.
Second, I am not a marketer and don't think of Twitter as a sales platform.
Okay, with that said, let's begin...
(3/12)
There are millions of ebooks published every year and I can't read them all. I read a wide variety of genres though, so I can't narrow down using that metric. So, I'm going to narrow it down to just Twitter.
If authors spam their book: mute, unfollow, or even block.
There are millions of ebooks published every year and I can't read them all. I read a wide variety of genres though, so I can't narrow down using that metric. So, I'm going to narrow it down to just Twitter.
If authors spam their book: mute, unfollow, or even block.
(4/12)
If authors post random ads in nonrelated threads: block (reduces the chance I'll see it when I do go to buy)
If authors bad mouth, trash, or put down other writers: unfollow or block if I didn't follow them already (and add to "do not buy" list--yep, I have one)
If authors post random ads in nonrelated threads: block (reduces the chance I'll see it when I do go to buy)
If authors bad mouth, trash, or put down other writers: unfollow or block if I didn't follow them already (and add to "do not buy" list--yep, I have one)
(5/12)
If authors only retweet book ads for others: mute, unfollow, or block if I have followers who constantly retweet their retweets (I loathe living in QVC).
So, that narrows the field down some, but how do I buy books? That's the real question everyone's asking.
If authors only retweet book ads for others: mute, unfollow, or block if I have followers who constantly retweet their retweets (I loathe living in QVC).
So, that narrows the field down some, but how do I buy books? That's the real question everyone's asking.
(6/12)
Things that authors do to move to the top of the list:
1. Have positive (real, not fake) interaction with other humans online
2. Don't see others as either competition or potential customers
3. Don't blame everything under the sun for why you can't do something
Things that authors do to move to the top of the list:
1. Have positive (real, not fake) interaction with other humans online
2. Don't see others as either competition or potential customers
3. Don't blame everything under the sun for why you can't do something
(7/12)
That basically narrows it down even more...
How I choose what to look at first when I'm buying:
1. I post or look at book request posts.
2. People who have caught my eye (see previous tweet) jump to the head of the line if I see their book advertised
That basically narrows it down even more...
How I choose what to look at first when I'm buying:
1. I post or look at book request posts.
2. People who have caught my eye (see previous tweet) jump to the head of the line if I see their book advertised
(8/12)
3. I read the pitch of every book posted in the thread. If it catches my attention, I'll click.
4. Is the book a different genre than the others posted already (I am a multi-genre reader)? If so, and satisfies #3, I'll click.
3. I read the pitch of every book posted in the thread. If it catches my attention, I'll click.
4. Is the book a different genre than the others posted already (I am a multi-genre reader)? If so, and satisfies #3, I'll click.
(9/12)
5. Does the book blurb on Amazon sound like the author has taken the time to learn how to write one AND it sounds like I'd be interested? If yes, it goes on the book list.
6. After compiling my book list (yes, I have a book list on Amazon), I sort by price.
5. Does the book blurb on Amazon sound like the author has taken the time to learn how to write one AND it sounds like I'd be interested? If yes, it goes on the book list.
6. After compiling my book list (yes, I have a book list on Amazon), I sort by price.
(10/12)
7. Books that are over $5 are automatically out. Sorry, but I'm not really sorry. I'm a cheapskate who thinks ebooks should be under $5.
8. I look at my list and pick random ones.
Yep, in the end, it comes down to random selection. However, all free books are snagged.
7. Books that are over $5 are automatically out. Sorry, but I'm not really sorry. I'm a cheapskate who thinks ebooks should be under $5.
8. I look at my list and pick random ones.
Yep, in the end, it comes down to random selection. However, all free books are snagged.
(11/12)
So, in short, what's the fastest way to get your book to my short list?
Be a human being on Twitter (and elsewhere, if you advertise), and don't think of me as a customer. I'm not one...I become one because I support you--the author, the person.
So, in short, what's the fastest way to get your book to my short list?
Be a human being on Twitter (and elsewhere, if you advertise), and don't think of me as a customer. I'm not one...I become one because I support you--the author, the person.
(12/12)
Now that I've told you how you can get me to buy your book, can someone please explain how you pick your editor? Seriously, I need to expand my clientele.
Now that I've told you how you can get me to buy your book, can someone please explain how you pick your editor? Seriously, I need to expand my clientele.
