Monday, October 26, 2015

How to Promote Free Days / Listing Blog Hop



*If you're here for the Listing Blog Hop, scroll down. :)

***

Some publishers set up free days on Amazon for their authors. This program is called Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) in which Amazon publishes your eBook three months sooner than your release date and during this time you get 5 free days. So many first-time authors don’t know how to promote these free days. I didn’t when Hurricane Crimes was free, so I had to learn.


First, let me warn you about expectations. 

Free days are great for first-time authors because it gets your name out there and your eBook into many Kindles. But...

1. Not everyone who downloads your eBook will actually read it. Many people just love the word FREE and will one-click every free eBook they can find.

2. Many authors shoot to the top of Amazon’s 100 Top Free Ebooks list. But this won’t happen to everyone.


Now that those pesky expectations are out of the way, let me tell you how you can promote your free days:

1. Create an event on Goodreads. Goodreads is always my #1 tactic for spreading the word about a new release, sale, or giveaway.

2. Make a special post on your blog to announce it. (You can even create a Google Form to ask bloggers to post about your free eBook. After they sign up, send them all the info, including an HTML code for their ease.)

3. Of course share the news on Facebook and Twitter.

4. Also share the news on Google + (tag your circles) and any Yahoo Loops you’ve joined.

5. Now the one that’ll take the most time...submit to free eBook websites. You can find them by simply using Google.

Here are some websites you can use to promote free days:

TIP #1: Check their guidelines. Many of these sites require you to submit your book info ahead of time. And some of them cost money or don’t accept short stories. 


The results of my Free Days for Hurricane Crimes:

Hurricane Crimes reached #10 in the Top 100 Free Suspense books, making it an Amazon Best Seller (or freebie), which thrilled me to no end. It also cracked the Top 100 Free list for Romantic-Suspense at #22. After that, Hurricane Crimes clung to the low 400's, staying around #20 in the top free suspense books.

Number of free downloads - 2,324.

TIP #2: You can do all of these things when promoting a book sale. Just look for discount eBook sites instead of free ones.

For more tips on how to promote see:



QUESTION: Have you put any of your eBooks for free? What did you do to promote it and what was the result? 


************************************************************

The List Blog Hop is hosted by Bish Denham and it's pretty much what you think it is...a blog hop of lists. These lists can be about anything at all, anything you find fascinating or even a bucket list. My list consists of things I've Googled for my books.


Research for my unpublished series:

- Types of fighting styles
- Military guns
- Helicopter machine guns
- Military combat uniforms
- Code Red
- Arrow quivers
- Sai daggers
- Circular saw blades
- Taser guns
- Bones in arms
- Tourniquet
- Seizures
- Carotid artery
- Thoracic curve

Research for Seismic Crimes:

- China Town

Research for new WIP:

- How to hot wire a car
- How to escape from a trunk
- Crossbow pistol
- Throwing knives
- Road flares
- Voodoo
- Zombies

And that's why I need this mug:




102 comments:

  1. I like your Listing Hop lists, especially research for your new WIP! And I LOVE that mug!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jackie! I think we all need one of these mugs. :)

      Delete
  2. You definitely need that mug for those kinds of searches!
    Thanks for participating in the blog hop.
    I'll make sure we have all of those sites listed at the IWSG.

    ReplyDelete
  3. OMG! I love that mug. And thanks for the tips on getting freebies out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Luv the mug too. Great tips, thanks. Interesting research list. I might have to check some of that stuff out too.
    Juneta Writer's Gambit

    ReplyDelete
  5. That mug is great and so, so true for many of us out here researching and writing. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. l should do a writer's giveaway and offer this mug as a prize. ;)

      Delete
  6. Yeah, been to the top 100 free a few times, but now free does nothing any longer, really kind of pointless it seems. haha yeah, I purge my browser history each day, no since is ticking off the NSA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does seem that free doesn't do much because so many out there are attracted by the word free but then don't even end up reading or reviewing your story.

      Delete
  7. Congrats on doing so well with your free book.
    Free books work best when the author has other books available for sale. It spurs those sales.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And Hurricane Crimes was my own book. I had nothing else out at the time.

      Delete
  8. I have to admit, I'm one of those that download a book because it says "free". I have several books (more than several but I don't want to admit how many) on my tablet that I have had for close to a year and haven't read yet......but I am getting better about deciding what books I will download if they are free and not just randomly do so.

    Great tips you share here!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have quite a few on my Kindle that were free too but most of them were published by my publisher The Wild Rose Press. I got them to support the author. I still have a lot to get to, but I will read them all. Someday.

      Delete
  9. I've definitely got a wild browsing history--no rhyme or reason to the casual observer.

    I'm not sure that I'd want to pay to promote a free book when there are so many free resources to use.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't want to pay to promote a free book either.

      Delete
  10. Informative post as always. I've made my book free for a week for National Poetry Month in April and Smashwords Ebook week. And I posted about it on my blog and on Facebook and Twitter. Now thanks to this post, there's a lot more I can do the next time I make my book free. Oh yeah, I love that mug. :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Having your book for for those weeks was a great idea, Lidy!

      Delete
  11. Its been a while since I had a Star Trek boxset givaway on my site and it far easier to do now with the like of Amazon, linky lists and vouchers etc. Thanks for the awesome tips.

    ReplyDelete
  12. LOL. I love that mug. And wow, that's a long list of research. You've been very busy.
    Susan Says

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I cut a lot from my research list because I didn't want to go over 25.

      Delete
  13. I so need to get better on my marketing stuff. Good list of things to do when it is free day promo time...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always try to find other ways to market. Marketing is a never-ending learning process.

      Delete
  14. What a cool idea for a list. My browser history would be worthy of that mug, too.

    I haven't done a free day for my book yet. Like Hart, I need to get better about my marketing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ;) Writer's often research and Google the strangest things.

      Delete
  15. I love your search lists! :) I've got some good ones, too. I haven't had my book in the free program. It's in the lending library though (on Amazon). Great tips to know, Chrys. Thanks for this b/c my new ebook will likely be added to the free days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't heard about the lending library on Amazon. Hmm...I'm going to have to look into that. Thanks!

      And you're welcome! :D

      Delete
  16. I need one of those mugs! I was doing some scary browsing for my story yesterday and got a little nervous about the history LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your list! And I need that mug, too, since I'm currently working on a YA murder mystery.

    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  18. Haha I love that mug! I need one of those as well. I guess we all have to research some sketchy subjects now and then :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your Promote Free days could have been a list in itself. Congrats on the top free book. It's a good story (I havne't finished yet, but getting there).
    As for your actual list. I love your mug. And I have to admit I do a lot of web browsing too. But I also like physical research. I recall one day I was doing research for my story and picked up a few magazines at the store. GQ, Seventten, Hot Rod Magazine and a few others. The eclectic assortment of magazines was chosen for each character in my story and what I felt was their particular interest. A few people over for a visit when I still had the pile of magazines out raised a few eyebrows. Most prominently the Seventeen Prom Special magazine. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very true, but it was my intended post for today. For the hop I wanted to do something different.

      Thanks, Jeffrey! It was my first published story. I've learned a lot more about writing since then.

      I've checked out many books at my local libraries for research, but sometimes I just need to do some fast research. Or there's no book that'll tell me what I need to know.

      Ha! That's a funny story about the magazines. And a great way to develop characters.

      Delete
  20. I so, so, so need that mug. Or that saying on a t-shirt. So awesome. Thanks also for the freebie tips. Now I now where to go for free books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Yes! These sites are great for readers looking for free books too. :P

      Delete
  21. Great mug!
    Congratulations on the FREE listing ideas! All great, but especially for getting your book to the top! Awesome!
    Love your browsing history, mines pretty close!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can imagine the things on you browsing history. ;)

      Delete
  22. I love that free listing idea through Amazon!! You're right that not everyone will read it, but it's a great name to get your name across.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a great way to get your name out there.

      Delete
  23. I had some free days scheduled for last year, but I cancelled them after I did more reading and heard a lot of writers saying they didn't go as well as they'd hoped, with many people only downloading their books because they were free, and frequently writing negative reviews because it's not the type of book they would've read had it not been free, and didn't expect quality from a free book. It seems most writers agree free promotions work best when you're releasing the next book in a series and make the first book free to induce more people to buy the new book, or if you're already a steadily popular name and don't have to worry about people getting your book only because it's free.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's why I mentioned those expectations. It is true that many others get negative reviews because it was free. That doesn't always happen to everyone, though. Doing free da u s is excellent exposure, especially if you can get on a top list.

      Delete
  24. I love hearing how authors research the novels and that is a great cup!!!

    sherry @ fundinmental

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ha! Those are some great topics to have to search for a WIP. You definitely need that cup.

    ReplyDelete
  26. It is clear to see why you need the mug after reading those lists! Love this blog hop, and thanks for commenting on my blog!
    The tips are very welcome and because I haven't read my "changes" to policies lately, I'd missed the change in how they work the "free" days... Appreciate your researching that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! And thanks for commenting on mine. :)

      Delete
  27. Your research list looks a lot like mine! I expect the browsing police to come for me any day now ;-) What a terrific mug!
    Wish I'd had your handy promotion list a bit ago. But I'll sure keep it mind for next time. I swear, you're becoming as valuable to writing as the excellent tips you give! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're getting their handcuffs ready for us. ;)

      Aw! Thanks.

      Delete
  28. Lot's of useful tips - thanks Chrys! :) And yeah, my browser history serves everything from horror and thrillers to erotic romance! :) *blush.

    Shah X

    ReplyDelete
  29. Think of how wonderful you would feel if all those free downloads were .99 instead! I'm guilty of purchasing because if says "free" on a genre I enjoy, but knowing how hard a writer works, I usually catch books at .99 to 2.99. I remember when I used to go to book stores and pay $6 - $15 for books, so I already feel I'm getting a bargain at $1- $3.

    Love your research list. I have some interesting things on my browsing history too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! It would've been amazing if it were that case.

      Delete
  30. Chrys, fabulous tips to know should I ever write an e-book. I have taken up authors' freebie offers in the past knowing all too well that I wouldn't read them immediately and maybe never. It's not that the stories aren't intriguing enough, it's just my brain won't slow down long enough to read anything of length. But, I'm baby stepping my way toward finishing one of my recent downloaded novels that I got for 99 cents. lol Oh well, thanks for visiting today. Have a spooktacular week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean. I, too, got free eBooks because they intrigued me and I intended to read them but then my list grew and more books got piled on top of them.

      You're welcome, Cathy! And thanks for visiting me. :)

      Delete
  31. I've downloaded a free book before and I most definitely will get to it during my down time.

    I'd like to be brave enough to post the things I've googled in the name of research someday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I think there are some things I kept of this list...out of embarrassment and to keep it PG. ;)

      Delete
  32. Good tips for the free books. I'll have to look at those sites to find some free reads ;)

    ReplyDelete
  33. You always have the best advice, Chrys. I'm saving this. I've never had my books for free. on Amazon. The publishers would have to do that, I guess. They've never mentioned it though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most publishers don't do it anymore because they don’t see the benefit in it. There usually aren't a pickup in sales after the free days end like there used to be.

      Delete
  34. Great list for free books as I had no idea how much is out there. I love reading an actual book still:) Love your lists-it made me laugh because of what you watch or read about-The mug says it perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need the saying on that mug above my computer. ;)

      Delete
  35. 'Bones in arm' - hmm, that makes me worried for your characters. And I remember seeing someone escape from a trunk, once into the back seat, and another time out the trunk. Can't quite remember exactly how. Hope I don't ever need to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup...an injury. I believe it was for a bad guy though.

      Delete
  36. Your list shows how much work goes into writing a book. I admire authors, my mom is a writer. I love it when I learn new things in a book, like how ancient warfare was conducted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A lot of research goes into writing a story and making it accurate.

      Delete
  37. Love the list of research topics! Yeah, some of the things I've researched have made me nervous too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha. I can only imagine the things horror writers search.

      Delete
  38. Great list! Made me giggle! I really do hope I never have anyone get suspicious about my google search terms--my last book was definitely one that led to some suspicious keywords!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Great pointers for during a free e-book period! Also, I love that you listed your searches on the books. I bet a blog hop of recently searched terms for book research would be interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Chrys. Definitely a post to bookmark. Yeah, now that I have one book published on KDP I thought i'd go the free route when I have a reveal at Michael di Gesu's tomorrow, but then I found that you can't make it free if it's 99c, which is close enough to free, I suppose. When I sort this Amazon thing out I must write a post or a book about it. There's so many hazy 'rules' for the unwary and it takes a lot of time to unearth these restrictions. But I think you need more than one book for free to help much. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amazon creates the silliest rules. I had no idea an ebook couldn't be made free if it's regular price is 99cents.

      Delete
  41. Chrys, you are always so full of great writing advice :) Those sound like great ways to get your free book out there, because as a reader, I have used some of those sites to find free ebooks. I like your list and that mug is great, lol! My search history is definitely strange sometimes :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that you've use these sites to get free books. :)

      Delete
  42. I'm guilty of downloading free books and then not getting around to reading them. I am trying to catch up!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh I LOVE these lists! I need to do that for my books so I'll know exactly what I need to research...instead of enjoying the rabbit trails that happen when I won't reign myself in! LOL! And that mug. YES! I think all writers need that. Standard disclaimer for the insatiably curious.

    Cheers!
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm totally guilty of downloading something because it's free and then not reading it. I have way too many books in my kindle that got there via just that means. It's not that I don't want to read them, but I have more books than time. Sigh.

    Your list (web searches) cracked me up. I know I've looked up some crazy-sounding things. I need that mug, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand because I've done the samething. I totally need to find this mug so I can do a writer's giveaway some time.

      Delete
  45. I've downloaded things for free and it's taken me around 1 week to 1 year to read them, but I don't keep downloading stuff for free in the mean-time.

    Currently, I have short story e-books and a novel for free and so far, I have noticed a slight build-up in sales of my second novel, nothing to get super excited about, but a tiny bit of extra interest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds smart of you, Tyrean.

      That's great! Every little bit helps, right?

      Delete
  46. Love the mug, could need one too. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your blog was always great, Chrys, but in the last year it's become spectacular. I love all the marketing advice!

    I haven't been able to give my book away for free, unless you count the one people get for signing up for my newsletter, but should it happen, I'm now prepared--thanks to you.

    Thank you! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw! Thank you so much!! I really tried to make this year a good year for Write with Fey. :D You’re welcome! <3

      Delete
  48. Hahaha looks like you have a lot of fun researching things. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  49. love your very incriminating list of research topics!
    and i love even more the list of book promotions sites - i've done them, some are excellent and some are okay, but there are just so many books out there! so hard to get noticed! but we have to keep at it =)

    and thanks for supporting my simulation release tour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'really right that we do have to keep at it.

      You're welcome, Tara!

      Delete
  50. That reminds me, there are some free books I need to read soon.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Okay, that mug rocks! I need one of those. I'm pretty sure my browser history would terrify all my friends and family. ;)
    I like your list of research. As an author, I respect your efforts and am inspired to do more of my own.

    ReplyDelete

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