Units sold: 22
Amazon Sales Rank: #1,489,488 in Books
To say this is slow going is an understatement. I am having trouble giving copies away. I have sent the "free giveaway" offers to selected members of 5 key bridal/planning sites/magazines and haven't heard anything. I am trying to decide how many follow-ups to send, before either trying a different person, or trying the unsolicited mailing. Getting a positive review or some acknowledgement from one of the contests would be a smoother entry, but those results are 10 weeks away at a minimum, which is a long time to sit around.
In the mean time, I have reduced my radar to Cincinnati. I have sent a similar letter of inquiry to an editor at CityBeat, the local newspaper. I have also found a reporter at each of the local news stations to contact, but I am not sure what version of the story to go with. As much as I like the shotgun approach, I will make myself, aim, fire, adjust as needed, but how to rank order local news reporters, I DON'T KNOW! But I also shouldn't tell them they've been rank ordered, because each one is the most important.
I also need to send some form of notice to my various alumni groups and see if some mention will help. I am still firing blindly into the world as until I get a response, to something, as currently I can't even jump to a conclusion as to what the best way to get interest is.
I did receive a thank you note from Florie Jo, a Goodreads giveaway winner, upon receipt of the book, so hopefully there might be some movement there. I would ask for help, but I think I am the only one looking at these posts.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Momentum fading
Units sold: 22
Amazon Sales Rank: #1,219,312 in Books
It has been 2 1/2 weeks since a book sold. I have entered all five contests I mentioned last post. My USPS helper failed to actually put tracking on all the envelopes as requested, so don't have a guarantee that some arrived. But have heard from the IPPYs and IndieReader of receipt. Results coming in the next 3 to 6 months.
Writer's Digest Self-Published Awards - October 14, 2013
Next Generation Indie Book Awards - May 15, 2013
IndieReader Discovery Awards - at 2013 Book Expo America, TBD (looks like end of May).
The National Indie Excellence Book Awards - May 15, 2013
Independent Publisher Book Awards "IPPYs" - about April 30th, medals May 29th at Expo
The Book Expo America appears to be a central event. That may need to be added to the calendar. It is in New York and Chelsea Handler is the Master of Ceremonies at the Thursday Author Breakfast, I think I can count in Christa.
Now I need some momentum heading into these awards. Fate would have it, that my Goodreads contest ends on Oscar Sunday. It seems like such a long time ago I put that into place. I would say that their recommended length of contest is too long, but none the less, we will have 14 lucky winners shortly. There are 190 people requesting it currently. I only hope some of the 176 unlucky will be motivated to purchase, but more importantly I hope there is some positive feedback from the 14 winners. Maybe a 2nd-chance offering quick contest would work too.
I began the emailing of the select bridal content editors this week, so far no one has responded. My research indicated a initial contact was helpful vs. sending semi-anonymous packages, as mail rooms don't smile upon them. No bites yet. I'll start naming names soon.
Onto the Book Expo website...
Amazon Sales Rank: #1,219,312 in Books
It has been 2 1/2 weeks since a book sold. I have entered all five contests I mentioned last post. My USPS helper failed to actually put tracking on all the envelopes as requested, so don't have a guarantee that some arrived. But have heard from the IPPYs and IndieReader of receipt. Results coming in the next 3 to 6 months.
Writer's Digest Self-Published Awards - October 14, 2013
Next Generation Indie Book Awards - May 15, 2013
IndieReader Discovery Awards - at 2013 Book Expo America, TBD (looks like end of May).
The National Indie Excellence Book Awards - May 15, 2013
Independent Publisher Book Awards "IPPYs" - about April 30th, medals May 29th at Expo
The Book Expo America appears to be a central event. That may need to be added to the calendar. It is in New York and Chelsea Handler is the Master of Ceremonies at the Thursday Author Breakfast, I think I can count in Christa.
Now I need some momentum heading into these awards. Fate would have it, that my Goodreads contest ends on Oscar Sunday. It seems like such a long time ago I put that into place. I would say that their recommended length of contest is too long, but none the less, we will have 14 lucky winners shortly. There are 190 people requesting it currently. I only hope some of the 176 unlucky will be motivated to purchase, but more importantly I hope there is some positive feedback from the 14 winners. Maybe a 2nd-chance offering quick contest would work too.
I began the emailing of the select bridal content editors this week, so far no one has responded. My research indicated a initial contact was helpful vs. sending semi-anonymous packages, as mail rooms don't smile upon them. No bites yet. I'll start naming names soon.
Onto the Book Expo website...
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Press Release & Contests
Units sold: 22
Amazon Sales Rank: #903,499 in Books
Selling books is not easy. I am trying to get the marketing engine going. Finally, today, I put the initial publicity release up on PRLog. I need to add it to my "website." My page o'info, more accurately. I am hoping at least one person, contacts me regarding it.
I am also entering a handful of self-published, independent writing contests. I believe I will enter five total.
Writer's Digest Self-Published Awards - entered and mailed.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards - entered and mailed.
IndieReader Discovery Awards - entered.
The National Indie Excellence Book Awards - have info.
Independent Publisher Book Awards "IPPYs" - have info.
Also, I am going to submit to Midwest Book Review, in hopes of getting a review from there.
I still can't bring myself to pay $400 for a Kirkus Indie or BlueInk review.
With the publicity release officially out. I need to work on my power list from the main players in the wedding planning arena. I think getting some kind of press there will be worth any effort it takes. This will occupy my time until I can start winning contests. But really, just an honorable mention in one would be great.
Amazon Sales Rank: #903,499 in Books
Selling books is not easy. I am trying to get the marketing engine going. Finally, today, I put the initial publicity release up on PRLog. I need to add it to my "website." My page o'info, more accurately. I am hoping at least one person, contacts me regarding it.
I am also entering a handful of self-published, independent writing contests. I believe I will enter five total.
Writer's Digest Self-Published Awards - entered and mailed.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards - entered and mailed.
IndieReader Discovery Awards - entered.
The National Indie Excellence Book Awards - have info.
Independent Publisher Book Awards "IPPYs" - have info.
Also, I am going to submit to Midwest Book Review, in hopes of getting a review from there.
I still can't bring myself to pay $400 for a Kirkus Indie or BlueInk review.
With the publicity release officially out. I need to work on my power list from the main players in the wedding planning arena. I think getting some kind of press there will be worth any effort it takes. This will occupy my time until I can start winning contests. But really, just an honorable mention in one would be great.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Pre-publish checklist
Units sold: 22
Amazon Sales Rank: #533,508 in Books
Two more units sold to unknown readers. Awesome! Ranking still in the toilet.
Apparently, there were about 87 things I should have been doing in anticipation of being published. The publicity release is being reviewed by my new best friend and IU alum Courtney Caudill. She works at Wordsworth, a local PR firm. This is an alumni/LinkedIn type favor, so don't tell them. The publicity release will be added to the drewlloyd.com website, which I just threw together. You'd be proud of it if your 3rd grader told you they built it during arts and crafts hour.
Obligatory Link: Drewlloyd.com
The website is being used as a online media kit, something that reporters can use to build stories about you, given how awesome your publicity release is. Your media kit should also include testimonials, which are "everyday citizen" praise for your work. I couldn't actually get these until I published the work, so I facing a chicken/egg situation.
Speaking of reviews, barefoot sparkler, has posted a wonderful endorsement on Amazon. I am not certain who barefoot sparkler is, but she is five stars in my book.
Speaking of Amazon, apparently when you include your ISBN number in your Kindle version info, it overwrites your paperback feed. So, my Kindle version is available, but my paperback has disappeared from search results. I made an update and hopefully over the next 24 to 48 hours everything will be back to normal.
I also met Kristen, a former co-worker for lunch yesterday and she graciously accepted seven copies to distribute, so my book a day policy was cleared for the week. I also gave one to Kat, my hair stylist, who has known another funny man, Drew Hastings, for quite a while, so she should have good feedback on the caliber of my funnies. I don't actually style my hair in anyway, but if I ever did, it would look lovely. Her skills are beyond "the lady who cuts my hair" label. Check the profile pick. My one step in the morning, is rub with towel if wet.
P.S. Just had my annual review and it looks good for keeping my day job as I try and get my ranking out of the toilet.
Amazon Sales Rank: #533,508 in Books
Two more units sold to unknown readers. Awesome! Ranking still in the toilet.
Apparently, there were about 87 things I should have been doing in anticipation of being published. The publicity release is being reviewed by my new best friend and IU alum Courtney Caudill. She works at Wordsworth, a local PR firm. This is an alumni/LinkedIn type favor, so don't tell them. The publicity release will be added to the drewlloyd.com website, which I just threw together. You'd be proud of it if your 3rd grader told you they built it during arts and crafts hour.
Obligatory Link: Drewlloyd.com
The website is being used as a online media kit, something that reporters can use to build stories about you, given how awesome your publicity release is. Your media kit should also include testimonials, which are "everyday citizen" praise for your work. I couldn't actually get these until I published the work, so I facing a chicken/egg situation.
Speaking of reviews, barefoot sparkler, has posted a wonderful endorsement on Amazon. I am not certain who barefoot sparkler is, but she is five stars in my book.
Speaking of Amazon, apparently when you include your ISBN number in your Kindle version info, it overwrites your paperback feed. So, my Kindle version is available, but my paperback has disappeared from search results. I made an update and hopefully over the next 24 to 48 hours everything will be back to normal.
I also met Kristen, a former co-worker for lunch yesterday and she graciously accepted seven copies to distribute, so my book a day policy was cleared for the week. I also gave one to Kat, my hair stylist, who has known another funny man, Drew Hastings, for quite a while, so she should have good feedback on the caliber of my funnies. I don't actually style my hair in anyway, but if I ever did, it would look lovely. Her skills are beyond "the lady who cuts my hair" label. Check the profile pick. My one step in the morning, is rub with towel if wet.
P.S. Just had my annual review and it looks good for keeping my day job as I try and get my ranking out of the toilet.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Good Wednesday
Units sold: 20
Amazon Sales Rank: #226,271 in Books
3 units sold on Amazon on 2/5/13. And this is the first time I don't specifically know who bought them! That actually makes me excited. I am not taking phone calls or checking email while I write this so I can maintain that excitement for at least another 5 minutes.
I believe the publicity release is ready. And it appears PRLog is the place to send it out. Since it is free. I will post it here within a few days just for public record. I also read somewhere that I should have a dozen press releases ready to send and tie my book to various newsworthy items. Since Brad Pitt is in my book, I mean literally his name is in it, and in reference to my inviting him to the wedding, I think a tie-in to World War Z is not uncalled for. "The xylophone of genius has tinkled again."
The marketing strategy has been refined to going after 5 prime candidates for media coverage. These have been chosen due to the relationship of the book's content to their offerings. WEDDINGS! HELLO?!
In semi-order of importance:
1) The Knot
2) Martha Stewart Weddings
3) Wedding Wire
4) Brides Magazine
5) Cincinnati Wedding Magazine
I have been researching key people at each entity. My current idea is to create an invitation for them to read the book, from Tiny Prints most likely, and then send them a package containing the invite, a cover letter, the publicity release and then a nicely wrapped set of 4 or 5 books to enjoy. This is the focus for the next week.
Other minor details are getting the book mailed to Writer's Digest and Midwest Book Review. I will need to order some more copies of the book also, given the Goodreads contest will close before I know it.
Amazon Sales Rank: #226,271 in Books
3 units sold on Amazon on 2/5/13. And this is the first time I don't specifically know who bought them! That actually makes me excited. I am not taking phone calls or checking email while I write this so I can maintain that excitement for at least another 5 minutes.
I believe the publicity release is ready. And it appears PRLog is the place to send it out. Since it is free. I will post it here within a few days just for public record. I also read somewhere that I should have a dozen press releases ready to send and tie my book to various newsworthy items. Since Brad Pitt is in my book, I mean literally his name is in it, and in reference to my inviting him to the wedding, I think a tie-in to World War Z is not uncalled for. "The xylophone of genius has tinkled again."
The marketing strategy has been refined to going after 5 prime candidates for media coverage. These have been chosen due to the relationship of the book's content to their offerings. WEDDINGS! HELLO?!
In semi-order of importance:
1) The Knot
2) Martha Stewart Weddings
3) Wedding Wire
4) Brides Magazine
5) Cincinnati Wedding Magazine
I have been researching key people at each entity. My current idea is to create an invitation for them to read the book, from Tiny Prints most likely, and then send them a package containing the invite, a cover letter, the publicity release and then a nicely wrapped set of 4 or 5 books to enjoy. This is the focus for the next week.
Other minor details are getting the book mailed to Writer's Digest and Midwest Book Review. I will need to order some more copies of the book also, given the Goodreads contest will close before I know it.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Publicity 101
Units sold: 17
Amazon Sales Rank: #891,468 in Books
Bad News first. No one simply buys a book they don't know about.
Good News: First book review has made it to Amazon. Written under an alias, but thank you Randy Smatthews. 68 people have entered the giveaway at Goodreads.com, and 31 people have put it on their "to read" shelf, although clearly no one has purchased it yet.
What I have now learned about publicity releases:
1) They are fact-based, I would say a summary of the book and its newsworthyness.
2) They should include a quote from someone involved. They should not include testimonials, which are quotes from someone who has read the book and encourages others to do so.
3) Testimonials come from "actual" people, endorsements come from "celebrities." Either way, they don't belong in a publicity release and therefore I need my "personal celebrity" endorsers to post their info in another way, say Amazon.
I have officially entered the Writer's Digest self-published book contest. My entry is not official until I get them the book, but I am mailing to a location roughly 2 miles from my house. Results in Oct. Not holding my breath as that is several months away and no one to my knowledge has survived a breath holding of that length.
Once the press release is ready. There are different services for distributing it that I am still researching. Had I known how much work this part (promoting) was I would have started months ago.
Amazon Sales Rank: #891,468 in Books
Bad News first. No one simply buys a book they don't know about.
Good News: First book review has made it to Amazon. Written under an alias, but thank you Randy Smatthews. 68 people have entered the giveaway at Goodreads.com, and 31 people have put it on their "to read" shelf, although clearly no one has purchased it yet.
What I have now learned about publicity releases:
1) They are fact-based, I would say a summary of the book and its newsworthyness.
2) They should include a quote from someone involved. They should not include testimonials, which are quotes from someone who has read the book and encourages others to do so.
3) Testimonials come from "actual" people, endorsements come from "celebrities." Either way, they don't belong in a publicity release and therefore I need my "personal celebrity" endorsers to post their info in another way, say Amazon.
I have officially entered the Writer's Digest self-published book contest. My entry is not official until I get them the book, but I am mailing to a location roughly 2 miles from my house. Results in Oct. Not holding my breath as that is several months away and no one to my knowledge has survived a breath holding of that length.
Once the press release is ready. There are different services for distributing it that I am still researching. Had I known how much work this part (promoting) was I would have started months ago.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Little things
Units sold: 17
Amazon Sales Rank: #623,437 in Books
I didn't even check the official sales log, I can tell from the ranking no books were sold. I have convinced myself that the book is not going to magically disappear, so I am beginning to process the "long run" nature of promotion. I am continuing to reach out to people I know and have gone from asking them for a purchase to seeing if I can send them copies to give out. I also lost access to Hotmail in a workplace security enhancement, and emailing through my phone is a pain, so correspondence is going to have to shift to night time.
Through discussions with Angie, my sister-in-law, I have made progress towards a better publicity release which includes a couple of quotes from people who already have the book. These I think are sound endorsements.
Amazon Sales Rank: #623,437 in Books
I didn't even check the official sales log, I can tell from the ranking no books were sold. I have convinced myself that the book is not going to magically disappear, so I am beginning to process the "long run" nature of promotion. I am continuing to reach out to people I know and have gone from asking them for a purchase to seeing if I can send them copies to give out. I also lost access to Hotmail in a workplace security enhancement, and emailing through my phone is a pain, so correspondence is going to have to shift to night time.
Through discussions with Angie, my sister-in-law, I have made progress towards a better publicity release which includes a couple of quotes from people who already have the book. These I think are sound endorsements.
“I’m
cracking up. From "Will You?" to "I Do." is so funny. I
should probably stop reading it though; I am always complaining about how
buried I am at work. Shoot. I want to go hide somewhere and read this.” -
Dominique R.
“67 pages in, it's embarrassing how many times I laughed out
loud. From "Will You?" to
"I Do." is a definite gift for one of my buddies getting
married this year.” – Todd N.
Aren't you convinced?
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