How to Promote YOUR book on Amazon discussion

My name is Kait Neese and I am the creator of this wonderful group of ours! I work full time with my publishing firm and work this Goodreads group as a side project because I really do love the concept of authors being in charge of their own success. However I have a responsibility/duty to my direct authors and my employers to make sure that comes first - which I am sure you can understand. That being said I would really love the chance to get some "author feedback" from those outside my direct circle and thought this would be the perfect group to help me. So if you dont mind please see below. I would appreciate it very much :)


Question for our Authors! Please take a moment and reply back with a comment on this post. I want to hear your opinions!

What are the 3 most important things a publisher can offer you, as an author?
1.
2.
3.

Thanks! Feedback like this helps me improve my efforts across the board with my clients so I would really appreciate your comments!

Kait, this is a genuinely difficult question in light of the current mechanics of publishing, but in my opinion the most valuable, as opposed to important, thing a publisher can offer an author is freedom from constant marketing. Since marketing is an integral part of modern platform building it's highly unlikely any publisher would be able to offer such a fabled beast. But it would be nice to have time to do the actual writing.

As for 2 & 3, I once had A.M. Heath as my agents and found the most useful advantage of that relationship to be their knowledge of where a mss might raise a flicker of interest with a publisher, but all that has changed now, so it's no longer as important. I wonder if there will even be publishers, apart from the vanity press, in the near future. Or perhaps current publishers will be the vanity press.

There will always be writers for whom indie publishing will be a maze through which they are unable or unwilling to go, so that may be an important role for what are, currently, traditional publishers.

I hope that helps, but I fear it will not.

I'd definitely say: help with marketing, help with marketing and help with marketing. I would expect to do my share, but doing it all takes too much time from my writing.

The 3 most important things a publisher can offer me as an author:

1. Editing- The most important thing a writer needs and the hardest and most expensive thing to get if you self-publish.
2. Marketing- Marketing advice, better access to book reviews, organizing blog tours, book signings, book trailers, help with all this is a big plus.
3. Distribution- Getting the book out there into more stores.

Here's a one word answer - 'exposure'. If an author is utilising the services of a traditional publisher, then editing and some marketing services will be included in the contract. But these days, unless you are already an established author, it is very hard to get newspaper or magazine space or bookshelf space in book shops. This is partly due to the number of self-published books that have flooded the market and - someone has to say it - not all of them are ready to be in print. I have worked as a journalist, editor and publicist and have worked hard to promote my clients - it's a big job. If a publisher is willing to offer an author a contract to publish a book, then they should be willing to take up the task of getting exposure for the book, so that the writer can get back to her own job - writing.

Have to agree with previous posts: 1) exposure/marketing help, 2) getting books in brick and mortar stores, 3) editing. I list editing third because I assume the writer can write if they've found a publisher!

1. Editing.
2. Exposure/marketing
3. Distribution.

CRICKET-INDO- THE STORY OF AN INDO-PAK ONE DAY CRICKET TURF WAR. IT IS AN INSPRING, CLASSIC NOVEL TELLING THE STORY OF HOW YOUNG SURESH MENON IS NURTURED AND GROOMED BY HIS DEDICATED AND DETERMINED MOTHER, SHYLAJA MENON, TO BECOME A DASHING AND DYNAMIC CRICKETER IN THE 1990s.IT IS ALSO A SPORTING WAR ON TURF WAGED BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN. I AM THE ENGLISH TRANSLATOR OF THE BOOK -CRICKET - ORIGIALLY WRITTEN IN MALAYALAM BY K L MOHANA VARMA MORE THAN 16 YEARS AGO. AHA -AUTHORS HELPING AUTORS IS A NOVEL CONCPET AND I AM FOR PROMOTING IT. R A M VARMA

I am in the process of having my third book published and am still learning. Recently my publisher has provided me with opportunities in the forms of webinars and othe advice. This has been helpful I think some coaching in this area would also be helpful. Even just the opportunity to work with someone to organise a marketing plan, with some detail about how to do things. It takes so long to get your head around everything. So I guess my three would be:
1. the actual publishing (let's face it no book no need to markey)
2. coaching towards marketing
3. continual assistance in promotion.

1. Marketing
2. Cover design insights and packaging (publishing nuts and bolts)
3. Sharing attendance at book fairs etc. with all the writers in their platform to maximize profile.

1. Publishing-help for a computer/internet-dummy
2. Marketing-help for a computer/internet-dummy
3. Explaining the basics of publishing, marketing, social media, and the so-called author platform to a computer/internet-dummy, and make the explanation idiot-proof. (I have already read a few books about these subjects, and most of what I read was Chinese to me.)

3 things I can't get as an independent author would be

1) access to major high street bookstores, at least to get into their central feed - Waterstones for instance does not allow Neilsen to include CreateSpace titles in its feed, so without a publisher one can almost never get into these stores.

2) the chance to do some physical promotion where its been organised, the publisher has done the advertising and its an appropriate venue.

3) the abiility to sort out formatting errors which can really drive me nuts, especially on an old document

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

Yeah, I just don't have enough age and patience to wait. I self-publish and keep trying. I believe publishing houses will start checking best-selling self-published books as an addition to going through slush piles. Well, at least, it makes sense. If a self-published title is making money, why not?

Oh they are you have no idea and its such a beautiful thang!

Kait wrote: "My name is Kait Neese and I am the creator of this wonderful group of ours! I work full time with my publishing firm and work this Goodreads group as a side project because I really do love the con..."

Kait wrote: "My name is Kait Neese and I am the creator of this wonderful group of ours! I work full time with my publishing firm and work this Goodreads group as a side project because I really do love the con..."

Hi Kait,
Great question. In our opinion, a really good publisher needs great layout people and editors, along with a great marketing component. Quite frankly our business model is a bit different. We had the opportunity to get two of our books published by trade publishing companies. We declined because we feel that our marketing efforts would be more successful, and we were right. (Not to mention that we made a much greater profit!)
We used NBN for our first book with good results, but again decided to go on our own for our latest book. The results have been amazing.
Best,
Tom

Hi Kait. I believe that more than anything I would need a publisher who could bring experience in the mass market to help with feedback about my writing. I'd want someone to help with the day to day obligations that are inherent with marketing and managing a book.

Charlton wrote: "What are the 3 most important things a publisher can offer you, as an author?

1. Shelf space in bricks and morter book shops.
2. Advertising.
3. Experience of the market."

I think Charlton said it perfectly

if we can get a list of each other, that would be willing to like, it may be easier to swap likes :)

Hi Kait, I'm Bob D'Costa from India. I strongly feel it's
1. marketing the author;
2. distribution of the books and
3. shelf-space.

http://www.amazon.com/author/bobdcosta

1. Strong name for representation
2. Advice and referrals for promotions
3. Direct traffic toward author's content

That's easy.

1. Marketing.
2. Publicity.
3. Marketing and publicity.

You all need to go check if your book is on this site. There be pirates! http://www.download-genius.com They charge a membership fee to download your book for free. Some say it means it is a best seller. You evaluate.

Publisher needs to offer:

1.Long term contracts 3 to 5 years. At the 3 to 5 year mark do a consultation on pontential. It takes a year to get supplemental marketing in place plus you need the Christmas season to evaluate potential.
2. After the book has been marketed in normal channels a list of options for niche marketing. After a year or so you have enough stats to focus on places the book does well.
3.Ways to supplement books. If it is of a certain level and type some books can have supplementary material with it such as educational packets.

1. Marketing and advertisment
2. Editing services
3. Positioning

1. and 3. I find hardest to deal with/work on by myself.

My book, "Devoted Hearts" is available on Amanzon.com Kindle for $3.99. Genre: Fiction, Romance,

http://www.amazon.com/Devoted-Hearts-...

Summary: Jonathan, the middle Terzetto brother, meets Samantha and forms a deep connection with her, something he never had with his former wife. Though his older brother Peter doesn't believe in love and cautions him against it, Jonathan falls madly in love with Samantha. Their love and passion for each other deepen as they cook, bake, and explore New York, until a tragic twist of fate intervenes.

Kait wrote: "My name is Kait Neese and I am the creator of this wonderful group of ours! I work full time with my publishing firm and work this Goodreads group as a side project because I really do love the con..."

Kait,

The three most important things a publisher could offer me are:

1. Their clout.
2. A great contract.
3. Quality editing.

Kait,

I'm a new self-published author. New as in my first publicly released novel,After Sanity: Corporate Aspirations, will be out in about two weeks. So take that into consideration with what I'm about to say.

I'm a writer. I'm a creative. My job is producing as much quality content as quickly as I can. ANYTHING that doesn't directly related to that, hampers my progress and results in me "Not doing my job." I'm a rather prolific writer, to which my NaNo compatriots can attest, as ANY delays result in large losses of potential work.

So with that in mind here is my top three things I find the publish should bring to the table:
1) Exposure. Basically marketing and distribution. They should be able to get the word out about my work to those who would be interested. The failure to be willing to do this is the reason I'm going into self publishing. They didn't care how good the manuscript is because I didn't have a big enough social media presence.
2) Contacts. Getting me in touch with and working with people that will help streamline my work process. A good editor that could work on one manuscript, while I drafted another, would be worth a kings ransom.
3) Book finalizing. Everything from formatting to cover design. I need to be writing, not wrestling with cover layouts.

Wes wrote: "I'm a writer. I'm a creative. My job is producing as much quality content as quickly as I can. ANYTHING that doesn't directly related to that, hampers my progress and results in me "Not doing my job...."

Wes,
Thank you for commenting on the below, I really appreciate you taking the time to do that! That being said I quoted the part above as I wanted to ask you a few questions on re this if you dont mind (smile).
Clearly traditional publishers have dropped the ball so to speak with living up to their authors' expectations. I would say I am apart part of the "new-era" publishing side of things and very much support both indie efforts on behalf of authors as well as publishers.
One of the biggest questions I have is “what are authors willing to pay for in regards to after-publishing services to help with the success of their book?”
Given that the "self-publishing" path is more widely accepted than it once was and the fact that there are the first wave of self-publishing success stories out there, what is that perfect equilibrium between writer and service provider?

For instance, I am sure now that you are published you are realizing the amount of work that goes into the marketing, distribution and promotion aspects of actually getting your finished piece into the hands of new readers? If you want to focus on writing full time and let’s say “outsource” some of the after release marketing and PR needs, what is it you look for when choosing a service provider?

Thanks again for your comments! I love learning and talking about all things publishing related. I may be even be a bit obsessed (smile). Looking forward to hearing your feedback on the above!

-Kait Neese
@KaitNeese

Hey guys, Solea Razvan here, the second book in my BALADA: A Symphony of Eternity series just came out.

It's called:

BALADA: And leave the ticking clock alone the path of time to go: The first spark of war is lit, but even that tiny spark is a fire that incinerates all!


Here's the summary:

Excerpt from the diary of Private Raz V’a van,
“We were the legionaries of Malus, The World Breaker”

To the west side of our position, we gazed at the source of the light and saw that it was a column of chariots charging the rear of the enemy. Above it, a massive multiheaded dragon formed entirely of hellfire flew as the great body of our allies charged the Federal’s rear.
The sight was greeted with a resounding cheer from our side and the breaking of ranks and desertion from the enemy, since the Hellfire Dragon was one of the most powerful fire attacks used in battle. On top of that, since our chariots where now sweeping the enemy from behind it meant that the Federal and Volunian chariots had been defeated and if that wasn’t enough, the cherry on top soon followed. For right in the speartip of that formation, riding a topless spider-wolf-jeep was none other than our new fleet commander. Oh yes, The Fox of Marengo himself was leading the charge. That sight of destruction was one of the most beautiful things I saw that whole month.

Private Raz V’a van, Imperial Logistic and Engineer Corps.


Extract from the book “Confessions, an Admirals tale volume I”

‘Scuze me, but could we please turn this massive fleet around so I can pulverize some boots, a water bottle, a ration pack and compass so as to not insult the raging killer coming at us, since I realized the enemies true number, for I was too stupid to turn the report page and saw that he has 35.000 ships instead of 350, and I don’t want to make him mad!’

Metternich per Pelasgiamus, Freelance Potions Maker


“Come on! What does heaven have against peaches!” the young commodore mentally lamented as he gazed at the magic field map on the spider-wolf-jeep’s backseat dashboard to see what was going on.


"“By the Glory Hole of Saint Epusculatus, it’s our comm’ander himself, bless ye sir, we din’ think you’d be the ‘one ta save us!”


"This made my stomach ache even worse, since I was now isolated from our main army and going back there while a battalion of elite shock troopers, old but still very deadly, where left unchecked in the woodland just to the right of me, was not a very delightful way to spent a lovely thunderstorm riddled morning such as this. "


“Tardiness, sloppy pursuit!? Compared to what, a bolt of lightning?”


“Transmit the following: ‘Spare no expense and blast them to Oblivion!’ Also Werner, get your Berets down there, it’s been almost five minutes since your soldiers decimated the enemy and that’s just bad business for us!” Metternich said to Butz and Von Braun.


Metternich also ordered Butz to join the main army so he could bravely lead his soldiers. Preferably from behind as many bodies between him and the enemy as they are available of course, preferably a few light years away, but then, we all do things that we don’t like from time to time.


“Sir, I think you might have hit your head in the fight, since what you just suggested is insane!” Dalius spoke up.

“We’re in the military commodore; insanity is a requirement for the job.”

The book will be free from friday march 6 to sunday march 8.

Here's the link:


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U7TKSNS

Exposure is the most critical, I believe. A lot of readers would enjoy the book if they only knew it was there.
Second is help with a fan base It is, after all, why we are here. Establishing a good relationship with fans is high on my list.
Third, the freedom from the constant marketing to write a good story, as one author mentioned.

On a slightly different tack, I now and again come across indie writers whose work certainly deserves to be picked up by a publisher. What I wonder is whether publishers have a doorway that might be available for readers or other authors to use in order to recommend such talented writers.I t seems that if there is it isn't publicised. Waiting for authors too send in manuscripts might be traditional, but perhaps its now time to spread the resources, or net, wider in order to catch those who genuinely have something to offer a main line publisher but perhaps don't have the means or self belief in their ability too do it for themselves.

Wow, this is a tough one as I am published on KDP. However, if I did have a publisher, I would want to know the ins and outs of everything. That way, I would know exactly what I should be saying and doing to get the right kind of publicity for my book. It also means that it's easy for me to work out the costs and where things might need changing. There must be others like me who would like things done just so. Secondly, I think opportunities to publicise should be balanced with down-time, and third is exposure on the web. The web is where I and many of my friends find books, but we need a bit of extra help now. We want to see reviews, excerpts, author apparances on blogs and bookish websites. It's as much now about the author as it is the book in my opinion.
I hope you find this helpful!

Kait wrote: "My name is Kait Neese and I am the creator of this wonderful group of ours! I work full time with my publishing firm and work this Goodreads group as a side project because I really do love the con..."

What are the 3 most important things a publisher can offer you, as an author?
1. Marketing and promotion support
2. Editing and copy edition expertise
3. Access to sales data close to real time

Hi Kate,
My name is Shivkumar author of EMPTY FISTS in my pen name MANGALAM SHIVA. The book has 17 short stories, emptional, thought provoking and carry social messages. The book has received powerful reviews in Facebook/Goodreads.Amazon.com/Amazon.in I wish the book reaches more readers who can enjoy the stories. Please let me know the methods to do this. My Id is mythshiv@hotmail.com Thanks.

1 - Brainstorming new markets that would enjoy the book. Also defining ways to reach that market.
2 - Mentoring - It's a lonely profession. Having a support team matters. How's it going? What are you working on? Have you tried (x)? Did you know Sally just sold 10,000 books in one weekend, she did (y). I thought you could do that too.
3 - I only have two, I'm new to this.

Hi Kait,

1. Marketing
2. Establishing author platform - I hate all that
3. 1 + 2

I am an indie. So far I have published 3 books of poetry. I haven't made a fortune, but I did not expect to as poetry does not sell well - not unless your name is Kim Kardashian - but I have now written a children's book which I am feeling pretty hummm about :) and I would like to be able to give it the best chance to do well.

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Hi Kait

I was published many years ago by a mainstream publisher (pre internet days). Having my first effort rewarded with a contract was humbling as well as exciting, especially given the time, effort and expense that goes into bringing a book to market. I was entering a world I knew nothing about and needed to rely on my publisher for absolutely everything.

I understand the focus of many of your contributers on things like editing, marketing and distribution but would offer this from my own experience.

These are the services that authors should expect from any publisher. They are implicit in the contract. In fact, these are the only reasons why an author would use a publisher in the first place. I am going to assume that you are hinting at what a publisher can do over and above these services. Here are my suggestions.

1) Try to match the author with an editor who is knowledgeable/understanding/sympathetic to the book's theme/subject. Treat the author as a collaberative partner. Involve them in the process and don't make changes for the sake of changes. EVERY change must make the book better, otherwise it is not needed. (If it ain't broke - don't fix it).

2) Have a launch. Make the author believe that their launch is the most important launch the company is having this year (even if it isn't). A good launch is likely the only opportunity the author will have, to do some meet and greet/networking and get to know people in the industry.

3) Use the author. If they have ideas that may improve the book or launch, listen. Most authors would be delighted to travel reasonable distances for free to promote. Also, most authors are only too willing to do interviews etc. - so use them. If everything is done well, your authors will use you again and again. (You would at least guarantee yourself first refusal - and lets be honest - this is a business). Also, the publisher gets the satisfaction of a job well done (as well as due rewards) and a reputation of working well with writers.

I understand that it all depends on cost-benefits, but as long as the effort is rewarded by sales, keep the pressure on.

I am now hoping to reignite my writing career and am just putting the finishing touches to a YA mystery/adventure novel (75,000 words). The first of what I intend to be a trilogy.

As a full time stay at home dad, I have been so busy that I now realise that I have neglected my own education re internet/social media. I have been working pretty much in isolation. (Computer runs off steam boiler kind of guy). This post is my first attempt to reach out for help/advice regarding this new world of ebooks/online publishing.

I feel my book is suitable for Amazon/Kindle etc. but I hope to avoid pitfalls. Any advice or pointers towards tutorials or 'how to' sites would be greatly appreciated. I have managed to acquire suitable domain but have not selected hosting service. Not sure yet how best to use the tools at hand. Would love to hear others experience.

Thanks

Seán

Seán wrote: "Hi Kait

I was published many years ago by a mainstream publisher (pre internet days). Having my first effort rewarded with a contract was humbling as well as exciting, especially given the time, e..."

Great advice. I wish all publishers could read this!

Kait wrote: "My name is Kait Neese and I am the creator of this wonderful group of ours! I work full time with my publishing firm and work this Goodreads group as a side project because I really do love the con..."

Hi Kait, The most important thing is help with marketing.

BTW, I'll be bringing my new science fi novel East of the Out-Lands out within a month.

Please read and review by ebook:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074V89LFV?...

Hi Kait, I am an Indie author. I have been published since 2014. I am just now advertising on AMS and I am having some success.

The area I need help is determining the ratio of Impressions, Clicks, and Sales. I have some rule of thumb 1 click per 1000 impression. What about sales to clicks, and when do you drop a keyword. Additionally is there an optimum number of keywords. I have just been at this a month. I have a positive ROI but is high. Also, I have calculated it on royalties not sales.

Is there a more appropriate place for this comment?

As I am successful, I will share.

Hello Kaitlin
I am a newly published Australian author of a thriller called Nightmare of Dreams.
I have a publisher. It is called Amazon, and it is a frustrating publisher to work with.
Amazon is having a ‘war’ with the Australian government over its introduction of GST on items we import into the country. Accordingly they have made it almost impossible for Australian authors to succeed.
Here are my suggestions for helping indie authors in Australia:
1. Allow them to purchase a proof copy of their book
2. Make authors’ copies available for them to purchase
3. Answer specific questions, specifically - not cut and paste jobs that barely refer
to the question
4. Provide information that is specific to Australians, rather than let them spend
hours on on an advertisement, only to discover that this activity is unavailable.
5. Publish paperbacks in Australia to avoid exorbitant costs - our paperbacks are
priced so high, that no one in their right mind would purchase them. I may be
cynical, but I wonder if this is what Amazon wants.
6. Allow Australian authors the ability to price their own paperbacks.
7. Allow Australian authors to charge the same as the US authors for an eBook.
We can not compete, because we have a minimum price set on our books,
which is higher than that of the US.
8. Stop routing us through to the Aust. Site, where the amount of choice is much
much less.
9. Allow Australians to run ad campaigns on their books in the same way as they
are run on the US site
10. Allow Australian book reviewers the ability to review books on the US site.
I could continue ad nauseum.
Liz

Hi Kait,

My answers are pretty much the same as everyone else's:
1. Exposure
2. Cover art
3. Distribution

I do think that the existing rite of passage in finding an agent, who finds a publisher, who may or may not do a good job on the above, is a little dated. But the trouble is that (a) I'm not very good at self-publicity and (b) like many others in the thread above, I'd rather spend my time writing than becoming and maintaining my status as a social media star.

Hi Kait, I am an author and screenwriter.

My answers are:
1. Feedback- I feel getting constructive criticism before the manuscript is helpful, this maybe the factor that stands between bestseller and one that isn't.

2. Marketing

3. Distribution

1. Connect me with talented illustrators
2. The usual suspects: marketing and distribution
3. Subset of #2: some social media

I can manage traditional media, no problem. That's my wheelhouse.

Hello. I am a first time author and I self published my book on Amazon. My a answers would be marketing for sure, help reaching a larger audience, and getting into book stores. Any guidance anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hello Kait,

Wow, this original post was in 2013—over a decade ago! I've only been an author for the past year, and reading past answers was actually helpful. I have three books published now (via Amazon), and here's my answer.

"What are the 3 most important things a publisher can offer you, as an author?"

1. Professional, constructive feedback prior to launch (e.g., on manuscript, book cover).

2. Launch success framework.
My first book didn't garner a single review or sale. And I know I'm biased, but I'm pretty proud of the quality of that one, so zero traction upon its release was heartbreaking. I had since worked with a coach, and boy, was that an eye-opener! Case in point, book #2 did MUCH better :)

3. Marketing on Amazon.

Jill Bromley

Would anyone like to review swap?