Welcome to this week’s blog hop. Today’s topic is:
We’ve shared marketing tips that worked for us. What have you tried that didn’t work?
Let’s face it, what does work since Amazon stopped advertising Indie books for free? Over the past 9 years since I’ve been writing novels I’ve tried the following:
- Joining a Facebook street team: Nope. This ended up with the same 2 authors constantly spamming their books. I left it, and Facebook as well.
- Joining Bookbub: Nope. I added an author page, but it’s far too expensive to actually promote a book.
- Scheduling tweets: Nope. This definitely didn’t work, as followers just tended to re-tweet them without reading them or clicking on the links.
- Joining StoryOption: Nope. I couldn’t get my head around how to use it.
- Author signings: Nope. I took part in 2 author signings. There were about 15 – 20 authors at each venue, but the venues were not really suitable and hardly any readers turned up.
- Review swaps: Nope. I took part in these early on but they didn’t help to sell books as you are only swapping reviews with other authors. Eventually Amazon banned them anyway.
- Distributing flyers: Nope.
- Distributing business cards: Nope.
In fact the only successes I’ve had are with WordPress blogs, BookFunnel, and when Amazon used to advertise my books for free. Also you ‘sell’ a lot of books (hundreds) by organising free promotions on Amazon, as it seems free books are all readers want.
What have you tried that didn’t work? You can add your blog to this one by clicking the blue button below, or just leave a comment.
Rules:
- Link your blog to this hop.
- Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
- Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
- Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
- Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
Stevie Turner 
Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for re-blogging.
LikeLike
Just so many books we are drowning among. I think the best way is by putting reviews on blogs. I know my Sunday book reviews always sell a few for the authors. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
We need a big increase in sales to bring in reviews, although I’ve often bought books you’ve reviewed. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, ditto my friend. I know we like the same genres 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find twitter interesting, but I can’t figure out how to use it to sell books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I pin a review to the top and usually that particular book then gets a bit of interest. Other than that I’m not sure it does sell books.
LikeLike
https://philh52.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/facebook-friends.jpg?resize=214%2C214
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! I gave up FB and hundreds of ‘friends’ long ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Stevie, my biggest success has been with my blogs too. I have also had some success with the local department of education for my children’s books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gee, I thought I was the only one who couldn’t get my head around Story Origins. I run in circles trying to get anything done there.
Tweeted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to find somebody else! I just cannot get my head around Story Origin either. BookFunnel is much easier to understand.
LikeLike
Shared on Twitter for you, Stevie.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, that’s true for me as well. I can offer a book free for a day and get several hundred downloads, but nobody ever buys the sequel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it applies to most Indie authors. We’ll never earn a living from writing, unfortunately.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SAdly, I think you’re right, it would be nice to get enough to help with the gas bill. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol. To fill up our tank with LPG gas would be around £1000 – I think I’ll pass on that one…
LikeLiked by 1 person