I think something resembling this model that we're experiencing now will indeed be the future. As I sell the updated edition of my book, what's most surprising to me is how much less money you make selling books--even as an indie publisher who gets most of the profits--than garnering just ONE new Substack subscription. This seems to me to suggest that even selling subscriptions w/ physical benefits (signed novels, for example) is a smarter way to leverage the community than trying to sell hundreds or thousands of books at piecemeal.
Aug 9Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes, Dale L. Roberts
This was an excellent way to spend my commute today. Some of the discussion stressed me out a little. Like the buying ads piece and the buying editorial reviews piece and the Amazon piece which was most of the piece. 😂 Question: Isn't KDP the one that doesn't let you sell your book anywhere else but Amazon? Just want to be sure I have my info right on that. :-) Thank you, Dale, for all the insights you provided here. I'm poised to swan dive into all of this stuff in the coming months, so I'm grateful to have found you and your resources through my friend/publisher. 🙂
KDP distributes ebooks and hardcover books to Amazon only. But, if you opt your paperback into Expanded Distribution, you'll hit Ingram Book Group through the US and UK. That means your book could be available to order through websites like Walmart or Target. That placement will have a lot to do with supply and demand. They can't guarantee placement, just that you're made available to retailers like the previously mentioned sites or thousands of others.
So glad I could be of help. Samuel (dang it, I can't get the accent over the "e") was an excellent host; I had a great time chatting with him.
Thanks for this clarification Dale. I am currently participating in an advertising campaign on Amazon b/c they offer $100 for free. I figure if I don't make a single sale for $100 spent, then that probably means I ain't ready for the Amazonian Jungle. And that's okay.
You should be able to get some traction with the $100. That should stretch at least ten days if you shoot for a $10 per day budget. Keep your CPC low and slowly increase to gain more traction. You've got this! I highly recommend checking out the Kindlepreneur's free Amazon Ads 2.0 course. It's REAL good!
Quick update: I increased the Cost Per Click (CPC) for the major keywords ("historical fiction ww2" type deal) from around 60 cents to 99 cents, and it sold at least one book ... let's see over 3/4 days how valuable it is to invest in ads.
Aug 13Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes, Dale L. Roberts
Ha! No worries. I'm perpetually stressed out, so it doesn't take much.
I have to copy and paste Samuél's name from a separate document (either one I create or one I already have his name typed into correctly). I work hard for my people. 😂
Thanks so much for the kind words and the opportunity to chat on your platform.
Thank YOU good sir. It felt like we've met before. Looking forward to crossing paths in Ohio one day. Paris, of course, is also on the table.
Informative--though I've not self published, I do think the future lies in this area and Substack can help, don't you think?
Absolutely!
I think something resembling this model that we're experiencing now will indeed be the future. As I sell the updated edition of my book, what's most surprising to me is how much less money you make selling books--even as an indie publisher who gets most of the profits--than garnering just ONE new Substack subscription. This seems to me to suggest that even selling subscriptions w/ physical benefits (signed novels, for example) is a smarter way to leverage the community than trying to sell hundreds or thousands of books at piecemeal.
This was an excellent way to spend my commute today. Some of the discussion stressed me out a little. Like the buying ads piece and the buying editorial reviews piece and the Amazon piece which was most of the piece. 😂 Question: Isn't KDP the one that doesn't let you sell your book anywhere else but Amazon? Just want to be sure I have my info right on that. :-) Thank you, Dale, for all the insights you provided here. I'm poised to swan dive into all of this stuff in the coming months, so I'm grateful to have found you and your resources through my friend/publisher. 🙂
Sorry about stressing you out. haha
KDP distributes ebooks and hardcover books to Amazon only. But, if you opt your paperback into Expanded Distribution, you'll hit Ingram Book Group through the US and UK. That means your book could be available to order through websites like Walmart or Target. That placement will have a lot to do with supply and demand. They can't guarantee placement, just that you're made available to retailers like the previously mentioned sites or thousands of others.
So glad I could be of help. Samuel (dang it, I can't get the accent over the "e") was an excellent host; I had a great time chatting with him.
Thanks for this clarification Dale. I am currently participating in an advertising campaign on Amazon b/c they offer $100 for free. I figure if I don't make a single sale for $100 spent, then that probably means I ain't ready for the Amazonian Jungle. And that's okay.
Ooh. Do let us know how that goes!
You should be able to get some traction with the $100. That should stretch at least ten days if you shoot for a $10 per day budget. Keep your CPC low and slowly increase to gain more traction. You've got this! I highly recommend checking out the Kindlepreneur's free Amazon Ads 2.0 course. It's REAL good!
Quick update: I increased the Cost Per Click (CPC) for the major keywords ("historical fiction ww2" type deal) from around 60 cents to 99 cents, and it sold at least one book ... let's see over 3/4 days how valuable it is to invest in ads.
Ha! No worries. I'm perpetually stressed out, so it doesn't take much.
I have to copy and paste Samuél's name from a separate document (either one I create or one I already have his name typed into correctly). I work hard for my people. 😂
haha The solution was right in my face?! 🤦♂️ You'd think I would've thought about that.
What about the tried and tested <hold down e and hopefully it magically pops up> ?
That works on the smart phone devices, but not on the standard keyboard. 😉