November 04, 2015

30 Seconds of Insecurities


I’m insecure about the thing that most of us are insecure about...book sales.

Over the last few months ALL of my eBooks have plunged in the rankings and I haven’t sold a single one. This is rather depressing. And it makes me feel like a fraud when I share marketing tips. (Just to clarify, the tips I post here did help me in the past, but I’ve reached the point where doing those things don’t make an impact on old releases.) So I’m trying other things which will include paying for ads and putting my eBooks on sale.

The first one I’m putting on sale is 30 Seconds, my novella that hasn’t been doing too well, and I’m hoping a sale will give it a boost.

I have a prequel written for 30 Seconds (about Officer Blake Herro and what exactly happens when he goes undercover in the Mob) but with how poorly 30 Seconds has been doing, I've been debating on whether or not to even publish this, so the results of this sale will sign the prequel's fate.


Anyway, I really appreciate your help and support. Thank you! And please think of me when you need the favor returned. I love to do whatever I can for my fellow writers/authors. :)




THE END!


96 comments:

  1. Sales ... a word that sends shivers through most of us. Sometimes they're great and other times the fall off the cliff. I've found being patient helps and promotion. Don't worry too much, even though I know that's hard to do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, TB! I know they fluctuate but I never had a dip last this long.

      Delete
  2. I'm constantly insecure about my book sales, I think it's something every writer goes through! I've read somewhere that authors should just have fun marketing/doing their own thing and the sales will (apparently) follow naturally...but I don't know how true that statement is. But don't worry, every author goes through a sales slump at some stage, and I know you've got the guts and determination to bounce back :)
    P.S I signed up for a promo post :)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was having fun doing my own thing but the sales weren't following. lol

      Thank you so much for signing up! :D

      Delete
  3. And especially when you have a publisher, you, the author, have no or little control over the price or promotion of your books. Ugh. I hear you! My book did really well when it first released over a year ago. Not so much now. I'm just focusing on writing other books. Good luck!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do have a publisher (a small press) but I can request a sale for 99 cents like I am now. I can't, however, set the price. And it turns out that I'm responsible for most promotion. Thanks!

      Delete
  4. It's just a slight slump. Keep pushing and writing and releasing. You never know when the next big up tick will happen. Don't get discouraged put that prequel out there, it may be just what you need!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope this slump will end soon. :) And I have an idea about self-publishing the prequel instead of using my publisher.

      Delete
  5. I'm no expert, but I think a lot of marketing and sales is ebb and flow. Maybe focus more now on story and craft, etc? Hang in there, Chrys!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do focus on story and craft. With every story I write. :)

      Delete
  6. Ugg, i tried those paid ads on numerous sites, find they don't do a thing. Waste of money for me they were. Even with nearly 100 books I can't say I get tons of sales, I get some. If you learn the secret let me know lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have found a couple good sites for ads that many swear buy. And they aren't expensive, so I'm going to try them and see what happens. I will share the secret with everyone! ;)

      Delete
  7. I agree book sales are not words to reckon with. Good post.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I signed up!
    My sales have dwindled as well. Need to try something new. I don't have the luxury of doing a sale though, so will need to think of something new.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

      I hope you can come up with something to help your sales, Alex!

      Delete
  9. Ugh, sales. I swear that word needs to be stricken from the dictionary. That and promotion. But yeah, I’d love to help out and already signed up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! And thank you so much for signing up!

      Delete
  10. I've tried some paid adds. It can be hit or miss, but I usually get some sales as a result. Good luck. I signed up to help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Patricia! I'll be keeping notes on what works for me and what doesn't.

      Delete
  11. Oh Chrys, so so sorry. Book sales are a mystery to me. I just launched my first novel and have no expectations, particularly since I probably won't do much more marketing than I've already done. Good luck to you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Chrys, I'm gutted to hear you feeling insecure about this. Trust me, I've felt like a fraud many a times. Your tips have always been very helpful to me. Of course, I'll do whatever I can to help promote your sales.And one day, yes, I'll ask you to return the favour. ;)
    You are a great writer Chrys. I find your blog posts most entertaining and informative. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jeffrey! I think every writer feels insecure about this. Unless they are a big time bestseller. I appreciate your kind words and that you're willing to help. :)

      Delete
    2. As a reminder, Monday I'll be doing my r.a.n.t. for the month. Still interested in joining in? I have one other person who will be joining in. Would be great to have you join in.

      Delete
    3. Eek. I'll have to start thinking about a rant. I will do my best to have one ready.

      Delete
  13. I always though people put the first book on sale whenever they planned to release a sequel or prequel... to bring people in. So maybe this is what you need? I'm bad with the marketing, I've found haha
    Good luck with it though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They do. Especially if it's coming out soon. Mine won't be coming out soon. But I would do another sale then too.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  14. My sales have tanked too and it's SO discouraging. I feel like I'm that shipwrecked victim floating in the middle of the wide, tumultuous ocean on a broken piece of the ship. Wondering when someone will find me. Or if I'll starve first. Sigh. Good luck with your sale!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a good metaphor. We're all floating out there with you. lol

      Thanks!

      Delete
  15. That was interesting to read that Alex's sales had also dwindled. Is it just a slump in the reading market? People too busy to read? Maybe with winter coming upon us and people being more indoors with weather things will start to pick up a bit?

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was surprised about that too. Maybe there has been a dip this year. I don't know.

      Delete
  16. I've heard this A LOT about books sales since September. I wonder if people are waiting for the holidays?
    Either way, things will get better.
    I haven't sold anything in months either. :(
    I'm happy to help you and I signed up.

    ALSO...I haven't forgotten what you sent to me. It took a backseat when I actually had some new words of my own to write, but I will be getting back to your story shortly.
    Sorry for the delay.
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My sales started to drop in the summer. Right after my two short stories came out. :(

      Thank you so much, Heather!

      That's okay. I didn't think you forgot but that you were busy. I understand. :)

      Delete
  17. I signed up for a blog post about your sale. I hope that it helps make a difference for you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hey Lady,
    Hope your new additions for marketing your books turn out some great sales.
    Shalom,
    Patricia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Pat!

      I hope so too. And thank you so much for signing up. :)

      Delete
  19. I don't know how you guys deal with sales! I can barely get through the writing portion, so I try not to think about it yet.
    Maybe publishing the prequel will peak more interest for the first book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm thinking that too. And I have an idea about self-publishing the prequel and making it free. I'm still considering that option.

      Delete
  20. Signed up for everything. I am glad to help in anyway I can. Writing can be tough especially with sales. But chin up and remember to participate online. Two books I bought recently were by authors I found through a twitter chat about refugees (something about her tweet attracted me then I found out she was a writer and checked her site. The book grabbed me immediately and now I am a huge fan of Tatum Flynn and her D'Evil series) and another on a negative talk on YouTube that this writer was too touchy about reviews. I was curious and checked out the paperback which I bought immediately because one I loved the story and two despite being recently published there was a paperback version just under $10 on The Book Depository. So just keep yourself out there and you never know who might get curious about you and and up buying a book too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Sheena! I really appreciate your support!

      I have been doing so much more online with social media, and do hope someone will get curious enough to buy something of mine. :)

      Delete
  21. I'm pretty booked, but I will tweet about it. At least once. Here's hoping you make some awesome sales!

    ReplyDelete
  22. It must be some slump in the market or something. Thanks for sharing that, I will do my own part. Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that could be the problem. Unfortunately. Thanks, Blogoratti!

      Delete
  23. I think recent tanking sales are a mystery to everyone but Amazon, and they aren’t sharing their secrets.

    VR Barkowski

    ReplyDelete
  24. I haven't sold anything in an entire year now, which is beyond embarrassing and discouraging. Congratulations and well wishes don't sell books. I signed up to Tweet about your sale.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, congratulations and well wishes don't sell books but it's a nice thing for people to do to show their support if your book isn't their cup of tea. I'd rather get a congratulations from those readers than to be ignored.

      Thanks for signing up! I appreciate your help. And would love to help you. All you have to do is ask.

      Delete
  25. I'll help promote as soon as I get all of my materials in line. It seems like I can't quite get on top of things, and I don't want to make promises I can't fulfill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's okay, Loni! I appreciate the thought. :)

      Delete
  26. Aw, Chrys! 30 seconds is a great novella. I really enjoyed it!! Ya know, getting ranked and noticed on Amazon is no easy feat and I believe has zero to do with quality of books and more to do with the impossible i.e. getting a million reviews...Definitely publish the prequel!! I'll tweet 30 seconds!!

    I just sent my short story collection out to a few beta readers and immediately felt insecure and judging harshly my own word. Aren't we our own worst critics? Sheesh. Your marketing tips are fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lisa. I love 30 Seconds too. The problem is getting more readers and reviews.

      We are our own worst critics. It's true!

      Delete
  27. suggestion; write your book blurb in the post so we can copy and paste right to twitter for promo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, it's not on sale yet and I'll be doing promos in my blog that can be shared and tweeted later.

      Delete
    2. Right! Got it. I was thinking for the 30 Seconds book but sure will help with the new one, too. :)

      Delete
    3. Haha. I think I'm confusing myself. I don't even have a blurb for the prequel. And for the 30 Seconds sale starting Friday, there will be a lot that can be easily tweeted from here (I will post the blurb here later) and other places.

      Delete
  28. Ugh, that's tough. Sorry to hear, Chrys. I've found my book needs to be "babysat" almost constantly to keep my numbers from slipping. I can't imagine how one does this with multiple books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to promote all of them but getting readers to commit and buy is tough. Especially for older releases.

      Delete
  29. Sales... I hate sales. They don't work for me. The only way I seem to be able to get readers is when I offer something for free. My romance on Wattpad already got over 400 reads, but I doubt it will get 1 sale, if I put it up on Amazon. I should take lessons from you, Chrys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A sale did work for me for Hurricane Crimes. It did great but mid-year even that one dropped in the rankings.

      Delete
  30. I say publish the prequel anyway, - you should get some sales from readers who have already read 30 seconds! And, if you add a link at the back of 30 seconds to your new book, maybe that will help, too.
    I am struggling with sales, too. It feels like we're all in tiny boats in the middle of a storm of non-sales.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I might. And I'm thinking of srlf-publishing it versus especially using my publishdr, and putting it as free for a time.

      Delete
  31. I'm sorry you're having trouble, and don't know if this will help, they say publishing another book will rejuvenate sales. Until then do your magic. It will work out. :-)

    Anna from Elements of Writing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I'll be coming out with my first novel next year, so my ebooks will have to wait untill then. ;)

      Delete
  32. I know how you feel! But hang in there. You'll eventually find your audience, I believe that. Have you tried posting stuff on Wattpad to get feedback? Sometimes stuff like this is hit or miss and you just never know what's going to stick. Have you tried some of the promo services like Book Bub or Kindle Nation Daily? (There are others that I can't remember right now.) It might also be worth it to go with one of those blog tour companies to reach a different audience and to also focus your efforts locally. Whatever happens, I'm wishing you luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never tried Wattpad. I will be using Book Bub and when my novel comes out next year I'll be doing a lot if local stuff. What's difficult is that I've only published ebooks and short stories. Thanks for your suggestions!

      Delete
  33. You must never ever allow yourself to feel you're a fraud (yes, I am wagging my finger!), Gads, that crushes me to think you're feeling that way. Could you honestly say you regret writing? Of course not. That's why we soldier on. We write. It's what we do, what we love to do. Sales and fame and all that will come, for you, for me, for Alex and everyone else who's ever dreamed of it as long as we remain too dang good to ignore:-)
    Write on, Lady Chrys. And keep em coming!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could never regret writing. Thanks for your comment and scolding. ;) I needed it.

      Delete
  34. It can be discouraging when you put your heart and soul into something and it is not given the love it truly deserves. Never ever think you can not give advice because you are teaching through experience and helping many others along the way. If I can I will promote it on facebook...how do I do that from here?? I think people I speak on my blog-many already know your book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you sign up with the form, I will send you what you need so all you have to do is copy and paste the text into a FB status and upload the image.

      Thanks, Birgit! I appreciate your encouragement and support.

      Delete
  35. Please know you're not alone in feeling this way! It's like you're describing me here, lol. I think we need to give ourselves a break as writers. The hardest thing is the comparison game and seeing someone else get the success we crave (at least for me, anyway!). Hang in there, keep writing! I'd love to help spread word about your sale!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU, Cortney! Sometimes it's easy to forget that so many out there are going through the same thing.

      Delete
  36. Yep, sales figures can bring on insecurities all right. It's not all about the money - they show whether or not we have readers and readers are very important.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *nods* Exactly. I don't care about the money. I make a small percentage as it is because I have a publisher. It's the fact that it reflects readers, and that I really don't have many, that makes the sales figures hurt.

      Delete
  37. Marketing... ughhhhhhh :-/
    lol
    I think publishing the prequel is a good bet. The more books you have out the more chances one or both can be discovered by new hardcore fans. Good luck with the promo!!! I signed up ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm think the prequel is a good bet too. Now I'm just deciding which route to go.

      Thank you so much for signing up! :)

      Delete
  38. I want to buy two more of your books to send to my sister. What's the best way for me to purchase them and make sure they are pdf? I refuse to allow you to go without purchases.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw! I appreciate that, Janie. The best way to buy PDFa is through my publishers website.

      This link should bring you to my page. If not you can search for Chrys Fey.

      http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1136

      Delete
  39. I've been having a similar issue, but with my craft sales. I just found a great book on craft marketing through social media. There are different ways to get the word out. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I hope the sales pick up again Chrys.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'm still at the stage of celebrating each and every sale, they are few enough to do that :) But sales numbers aren't everything. I am supported by the feedback from people I know who have read and enjoyed my books.

    Will sign up for a blog post as soon as I've hit "publish" here...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still celebrate them too, which means I haven't celebrated anything in a while.

      Thank you so much for signing up!

      Delete
  42. Sorry I am late commenting. Trying to do NaNo, but no headway yet.

    I have been reading about and watching webinars about publishing and book sales--One main common things seems to be finding the right key words for search engines on your website and places like Amazon.

    It is suggest to look in sub categories for other areas that fit your genre or book-check out big authors of same genre see what sub categories pop up and see if your books fit in any of those---I read it can pull rankings up for being seen.

    Another thing I read when launching a new book make sure your links to your website and other books and newsletter are in them, every post you write and put out there include links at bottom, and push the email list that is where the return readers that stick with you tend to end up if they like your writing. Anyway no experience just reading these things--food for thought.
    http://www.junetakey.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've seen those videos too. I did add categories to each book in the description area on Amazon. The problem is I didn't self-publish these. My publisher put my books on Amazon, so I can't change tags or categories. Which also makes adding links in ebooks difficult.

      Delete
  43. I signed up to post. Happy to help any way I can. Best of luck.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I just signed up for Twitter sharing. Poor sales happen to many of us all the time. I don't even check my ebooks' ranking or sales anymore. Chin up, babe, things will look up. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for signing up and thanks for the words of encouragement. :)

      Delete
  45. I signed up, best of luck! Also, don't beat yourself up over sales. Write your next book, that's your best marketing plan. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for signing up, EE! My next book is with my publisher. ;)

      Delete
  46. Hi Chrys - I commented somewhere earlier today re your book and the blurb - thought it was good .. so certainly hope the sales take off. Good luck .. and glad you've put your next book over ... and now the 3rd ...?! Cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
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