Sunday, April 15, 2012

Why No One Is Buying Your Book and What To Do About it.

Have you stared at your book ranking and sales data and wondered why no one is reading your work? 

Are you disappointed that your story hasn’t caught fire or hit USA Today’s front page? If you answered yes, I want to share a secret with you. I want to tell you something, and it might hurt your feelings. I don’t mean to be cruel, but I have to be honest.

No one has ever heard of you.

Readers do not know you exist.

That can change, but for now, you have to know the truth. You have to face the stark reality that you’re not famous, you don’t have a cult following, and you’re not a New York Times bestseller—yet.

One of the biggest obstacles for indie and small-press authors to overcome is finding readers. You may have a great book cover and your prose may be razor sharp, but let’s face it, you are one in a million. Hundreds of thousands of books are published every year, and as a new author, it’s not likely that readers will search your name or your book’s title.

Sigh.

Depressing, isn’t it? Well, it can be if you’re subject to resignation. But if you are the type of person who sees an obstacle as an opportunity, you may have what it takes to climb out of the literary abyss and into the public arena.

The problem with publishing is that unless you have a platform or a method to reach out to readers, you are like a grain of sand on the beach. People will walk on you all day long but never know you’re under their feet. If you publish on Amazon, your book is thrown into the ocean of e-books and will splash around until readers start buying. When they purchase your book, it’ll stay close to shore, where other readers can see it. But if you don’t plan for a beach party upon publication, your book will drift off to sea, and eventually end up in the South Pacific, stranded on a lifeless island. If your ebook is ranked in the 300,000+ zone, this is you.

If you publish on Barnes & Noble’s PubIt!, iTunes, or Smashwords, it’s even harder to get noticed, because the sheer weight of new books will push you deeper into the water.

So what can you do? What does it take to lift your book above the crowd and get the notoriety you deserve?

Good question. When I have the secret formula, I’ll bottle it and sell it to you for a thousand dollars per ounce. Until then, it helps to know that you are not being flat out rejected by the world, but you are, rather, unseen. Understand that, and embrace it. Knowledge goes a long way when you are problem-solving. Don’t take it personally. Accept your reality and work to improve your position in the crowd.

Of course there could be a few details like cover design, price, blurb, and editing that need fixed. But I'm talking about those today.

You need to figure out how you’re going to be an author that readers recognize. You have to build a platform. You have to brand yourself. You have to go into the big world, put on a pair of stilts, and start shouting “Hey, everyone, look over here! I write suspense novels with jaw-dropping twists. Anyone interested?” When you do that, someone will turn around and say yes. If you wrote a good book, they might recommend it to someone else. They could also write a review and encourage others to buy it. But don’t stop there. You have to keep walking clumsily through the crowd, hand-selling your work to readers, bloggers, and reviewers everywhere.

If you’re no good with stilts, try the trapeze. If that doesn’t work, hop on a unicycle or put on a clown suit. You may not get it right the first time around, but with a little trial and error, you’ll discover what works and what doesn’t. Just remember, what works for me may not work for you. I’m a lion tamer, and that’s somewhat daunting to the vast majority, so I wouldn’t recommend it. Besides, you could lose your head.

Getting noticed, especially when you only have one book published, can be a slow process, more so if you are not actively building your platform. The truth is, there is no quick answer to growing an audience. Building an author brand and platform takes time, maybe months, maybe years, and it takes multiple books and creativity.

Amazon’s KDP Select program is one tool that can boost an unknown author’s visibility tremendously. However, until your book appears on other book pages and gets serious traction, it will float away from shore until it manages to hit another spike via your marketing efforts or an unknown cause.

If you look at the top right-hand side of my blog, you’ll notice that I've almost hit five hundred followers. I’m excited about that because several months ago I didn’t think I’d reach one hundred. Five hundred looks like a lot, but there are other blogs with a whole lot more subscribers than I have. There is always a bigger duck in the pond.

Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Take an honest assessment of where you are and chart a realistic course that will keep the wind to your back, blowing you toward shore, where the readers are. You might hit a sandbar on occasion, but that’s okay; authors wearing clown suits and splashing around in the ocean are likely to get a little attention.

This Post is an excerpt from my way cool book, The Indie Author's Guide to the Universe. Read my latest review where an author claims I helped boost his failing book to #16 in the free store.

Jeff Bennington is the best-selling author of Reunion, Twisted Vengeance, and The Indie Author's Guide to the Universe. 

 

32 comments:

  1. Great post! Thanks for the encouragement to keep at it.

    P.S. I have my clown suit on. ;-)

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  2. Great post,Jeff! We are need reminding that it's hard graft that gets our work out there. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks, Jane. Nothing worth having ever happened over night ~ over a spot of tea, maybe, but not over night.

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  3. Jeff, I have retweeted you so many times, and yet this is the first blog of yours I've read. It's great - I'll be back. I like what I see, and notice that you line all your covers underneath the post, which is a great idea I might imitate.

    I have been writing and involved with publishing in some sort of role since 1985 (and boy, am I tired!)but my best break came in 2011, when my publishers accepted my second novel, and I took the plunge and re-issued my back list independently, which means I went from one to eleven books in a year. From a mere trickle of sales, I've gone to an adequate quantity - not a day goes by that something doesn't sell, which - compared to just over a year ago - is tremendous.

    Last month, my third novel came out, and what do you know, my sales are improving. Like you say - they sell each other. My promotions are becoming less scattered and random, and by this time next year... who knows!

    It's the hardest work I've ever done, but I have met so many helpful people, and have learned so much in the past 24 months that I feel that the advice I give in return is based on something solid ... experience.

    Thanks for this post - you have put down what I discovered very early in 2009. If I was going to get anywhere, I had to pull myself up by my own bootstraps. It's not easy, but I'm still around, and yes! People are starting to find me and my titles. Every day.

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    1. @Rosanne, I think the process is what is so surprising to many new authors. Sometimes it can take years for success to decide to visit. Smetimes it takes weeks or months but those are rare and unlikely occurances. Amazon should offer a course in Indie publishing like schools should teach more life skills, parenting skills, people skills. They are sooo needed. Thanks for the comment. I appreciate the time you spent here. Please come back.

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  4. I think we all keep hoping there's some magic bullet. Sigh. It's more of a slog, but it does pick up momentum.
    Aloha
    Toby Neal
    http://www.tobyneal.net/

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    1. Hi Toby. Very true. I used to think self-publishing would be like running the 800 or 1600 meter race. What I've discovered is it's more like the Indianapolis 500 of 4-wheel mudding. Nice to see you again!

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  5. Jeff, what a great post. I always like to read the process of writers and how each author tries to swim the current. This is very helpful and I commend you on your perseverance. Your books caught my eye a long time ago. I love reading in the suspense/psychological/horror genres and try to write in those worlds as well. The helpful tips and encouragement: wow.

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    1. Hey Justin. Glad you enjoyed the post. This is just one of many that you can enjoy in The Indie Author's Guide to the Universe, currently #5 in Amazon's "Authorship" category… and I think soon to be #1. All depends on how well I "swim". See out in the water, my friend.

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  6. Great - realistic and helpful post - lots of good sense. Thanks for posting.

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  7. You're welcome. I've more good stuff coming!

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  8. Thanks, Jeff. Always a pleasure to read your words of wisdom. Thanks for sharing and best wishes to you. PS: Thanks for your kind words on my author interview with Spencer. ƸӜƷ

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  9. Of late, I'm tired of being the small fish in the huge pond. I haven't found the magic stuff either, but I keep plugging away. I'm looking at revamping the covers of my published books to capture a possible market, but as a past successful entrepreneur I know it takes time to break into a new market. Great blog.

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    1. Hi J.L ~ I'd love to work with you on your covers. Look me up when you're ready.

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  10. Hi Jeff, nice to see you again. This is a great topic (truth).

    I'm having a rift with Amazon now that started last week. My newly launched book is lost in the rough AND buried in deep waters. My quest to them was: "Where's my book!?"

    Amazon has failed to list my "Kindle eBook New in the Last 30 Days" category(ies) there are several and I'm fuming. The first 30 days is where you want to be, even indefinitely. In the sea of indies, this is critical placement.

    I know readers don't know me; readers never heard of my title; hence the email. But I'm a reader too and when I go to B&N or used-to-be-Borders stores ~ I hit New Release carousel every time right off. Fresh New Voices, Hot New Titles ~ whatever the stores' pitch was for the latest & greatest that only I could find and recommend to others, I wanted to go there first. I think I'm like the majority of readers. Why go get lost in the stacks? Unless you know the author or title you NEED.

    Like I don't know I'm nobody, they first came back to say, "You're there. Search your name & title. You're there."

    No dah. I have the link in my Favorites Toolbar. I have that kind of proof. That wasn't my question. It's daunting. Of course, now it's a saga and something else I take the time to do to build my name. So thank you for reminding us writing entrepreneurs that it all takes time & effort. And book trailers ;) my latest marketing tool

    See ya around ;) Mia

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    1. Hi Mia,
      I have so been there. In the first month of publication, REUNION had 20 reviews because of my 45-day book tour. Problem was, there were several other books with the same title and 90% of my reviews were on the WRONG BOOK. The other author noticed as well, but she was actually okay with it because my reviews (on her page) were all 5-stars, and the ones on my page (her reviews) were mostly 3-stars! Talk about a head ache. We waited patiently for Amazon to fix it and they did eventually.

      Overall, I think Amazon does a great job considering the immensity of their site. I can't imagine the size of their tech/IT team. Honestly, I've learned that the first few weeks are far less important than you think. I don't even look at my "RELEASE DATE" as a big deal any more because there simply is NEVER the kind of fanfare that I expect. It's like throwing your book into a field at night, waiting for the firworks and getting nothing more than the sound of crickets chirping.

      Thus is the fate of the indie and mid-list author. Think blog tour. Think Tweeting. Thing Kindle Boards. Think blogging. Think facebook. Think about how you can connect with readers. That's enough to keep you busy for months…and by the time you start selling a few books, you'll have another one to sell, and another one to talk about.

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  11. I'm really enjoying your blogs. Maybe one day someone will join me in a "CHEERS!" over the success of my witty short stories... and when we do it "KAFE CASTRO" style, EVERYONE will know what that means! Wishing you continued success...CFWinn

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  12. I am yet to publish anything. But my time will come, excited and terrified all at once just at the thought.

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  14. Hi Jeff, great blog and I'm sure it comes at just the right time for many of us, including me! So many of us are/were under the illusion all you had to do was write a kick-ass book; in reality it's no different to launching a new consumer product - it takes time get consumer awareness, get them to trial it and build a brand...the important point to remember is that every successful product or brand (e.g. Apple or HP) started as an idea in someone's head or garage. If you have a good product, a flexible plan and believe in yourself - keep going! Cheers, Gareth

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  15. Very nice post!
    I'm shooting for an August release on book 1 and an October on book 2. I plan on swimming like a fool for the next 20 years to try and bring these books in to shore.

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  16. Hi Jeff,
    Thanks for the encouragement and the info. I am just starting out and waiting for my E book to be listed. In the meantime trying to create some buzz is not that easy, but am plugging away at it.
    Johanna van Zanten

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  17. Great! Thanks! K.L. Parry ~ Author of The Pirate's Daughter and a King's Ransom

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  18. Interesting concept. I'll have to go digging through my closet to find that old clown suit. Whatever works, you know. :)

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  19. Honest AND encouraging. Thanks for this post!

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  20. I enjoyed reading this. A writer can feel lost at sea among thousands of other books. I sometimes get that sense when I'm in a bookstore and think about all the effort that went into all of those books, yet I know I will only read a few of them.

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  21. Thanks for your interesting and enlightening post! I figured if we haven't got a book published then how could we let people know who we are and what we've written? Sooner or later people are going to want to read it and if its not ready then I think they will likely lose interest....

    So I thought I'd Twitter and FB my blog a little bit until release day, then go nuts on marketing. Yes, I'd prolly be swimming against the tidal waters, heaving with thousands of other newbie writers, and, as the last huge wave hits there I'll be, wearing a clown suit and matching clodhoppers with a heavy rope round my neck breathlessly clawing to get onto land..hehe.

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  22. This is a great post, and though I'm late to it, it's timely for me. I just released my first two short books, and this week I was feeling a bit glum that I've got no reviews, no sales, and apparently no readers. Of course, I snapped out of it--of course I don't, nobody knows I'm here--but I didn't want to believe that. This post puts everything into context.
    I've been reading a lot lately about what it takes to build a platform, and don't know where to start. I'm uncomfortable asking people to buy my book, as I figure if they don't want to, I'll just be an annoyance. But I've got to try, right? I'm going to look up your book now, sounds like an interesting read.

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  23. My novel CINNAMON TWIGS: THE LIFE AND PSEUDOCIDE OF A CELEBRITY, available for $1.17 on Amazon went through the roof when it was temporarily free, but hasn't even aspired to touch the ceiling since. Very frustrating, but I'm hoping, as an academic, that my name will be out there in time. It's fun learning about marketing. Social networking is certainly a useful tool and that's how I got so many free downloads, but I desperately require reviews methinks!

    DARREN FREEBURY-JONES

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  24. It's late and I have spent all evening emailing blogs, etc. to please PLEASE review my book...and I am near tears and so tired. I am a WRITER!! I do not want to do all this sht!!!!! I want to WRITE. Should people like me hire a publicist? Yes yes yes, I know. I asked for it.

    My feelings are also terribly hurt that my friends, if I even have any real ones, are not helping me out at all. They are not buying my book. They are not reading it. They are not reviewing it...they do not seem to really care. I had been working on the dmn thing for over TEN YEARS!!!!!! When I sent out my "hey it's done" email, I got few back. Schadenfreude? Is this what it is called? It is like a few of them are sour grapes...and I see who they really are. You learn who your real friends are too, when you have the audacity to write a book. THOUGH, I do HATE that we live in a world now where we are constantly trying to exploit one another. I despise Facebook. Now I am suppose to run around begging for "likes" as if I am a 12 year old. I think too, people are tired of being constantly hounded by other people as we all trip over one another to self-promote--survive.

    Anyway, I think I need to be content that I finished it. If no one cares, at least I finished it. It has a part of my soul in it. It came from the heart and perhaps this is the most stupid thing of all--hand part of who you are over to this f-ed up cruel world of ours. This was my biggest mistake. Should have left in in the drawer, by the bed.

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