Why Didn't My Promo Work?

Photo by Cherie Haines fairygirlphoto.weebly.com

So if you are an Indie author, you've probably heard you must spend money to get money. And unless you're living under a rock, you most likely know Bookbub is the king of all promo sites. But what about the countless other sites? You know the ones. Pay them some money and they'll promote your book deal on their site. Or perhaps you've gone to sites who offer FREE promos... if they have the space. Otherwise, you can pay money for a 'guaranteed' listing.

As for free sites, yes, they might be free, but it does take lots of time and effort to submit books to them... time that might be better spent writing if they don't sell you any books.

I've spent a lot of money... more than I care to admit ... on promo sites that didn't work. And I wish I had taken the time and trouble to do this a LONG time ago. Oh well. Maybe I will save YOU some time and money.

I made a spreadsheet of promo sites. Now, this is not a complete list, I'm sure there are hundreds more. But they are the ones I found today. Then I went to Alexa.com and found out the website rankings for the sites. This shows monthly updates for how websites are ranked in the USA. The lower the number, the more visitors the site has. (for example, Facebook is number 2) 

Here are the top ten ranked sites as of March 20, 2016, and a link to a Google doc. with the rest I researched. Please feel free to share any other sites that have worked well for you, and don't forget to compare notes with other writers. Some genres might do better on some sites than others. 

(Note; Pixel of Ink is not listed, since it's not currently taking submissions)

1. Bookbub

Ranking:  1866

Price: 50.00-2000.00      

2. E-reader IQ 

Ranking: 8955 

Price: 20.00-150.00

3. Robin Reads (I've had great results with these folks, but they are picky)

Ranking: 9954

Price: 15.00-20.00

4. Booksends

Ranking: 17147

Price: 10-125.00

5. One Hundred Free E-Books

Ranking: 20054 

Price: 75-100.00

6. Freebooksy

Ranking:22774

Price: 40-200.00

7. Bknights (Fiverr)

Ranking: 28153

Price: 5.50

8. Daily Free E-books

Ranking: 32626

9. Book Lemur

Ranking: 32700

Price: 25.00-35.00

10. E-reader News Today
Ranking: 33828
Price: 15-50.00 (This site has done great for me and many others)

Here is the link to the Google spreadsheet. Hope it's helpful! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BL0TCWKI8Ny05_iZpkllZvxT60zVSg12GNZUVPnHRXg/edit?usp=sharing
Please feel free to comment with thoughts/experience. 

Cover Reveal: Steampunk Fairy Tales Anthology

Merry Extremely Early Christmas to all you steampunk lovers! Some of the best and brightest Scribophile members have penned some absolutely FANTASTIC steampunk re-writes of your favorite fairy tales, including Jack and the Beanstalk, Bluebeard, Little Red Riding Hood and more! Today, I am proud to present our cover, designed by the one and only Indigo Forest Designs! http://indigoforest.weebly.com/

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So... when do you get to read this amazing collection? Have no fear! March 28th is the release date!

Cover Reveal: The Saloon Girl's Journey

And heeeeere's the cover! Book will be out April 7th, 2016!

Thank you so much to Gracelyn Fullilove, my lovely model, Cherie Haines, my photographer, and Elaina Lee at For the Muse Designs for another wonderful cover!

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New Year's Goals

I just came from a fantastic sermon from my pastor at Foundations Christian Ministries in Bastrop, Texas. He talked about setting goals for the New Year, and I think they are relevant for writers as well.
He talked about using the word S.M.A.R.T. to remember how to set goals.

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound.

The one thing he said that made the most impact on me was to write them down. Today. When you write down a goal, your brain automatically starts working to figure out how you will obtain that goal.
Writing out my goals has been the number one biggest motivator for me to get four books completed and out in the last two years. This is my process.
I write a list of basic goals when I start a book. I have a certain number of drafts and edits I know it will have to go through, along with a critiquing, beta reading and editing process. So I take those processes and divide them by month.
Then I take each month and divide it by days. I have one of those desk calendars with extra-big spaces for days. I give myself two days off each week, for emergencies and breathing room.
Then I divide each month's goal by 20. I write a word count on each day of the calendar, along with edits, cover progress, etc.
When I wake up in the morning, my goal for the day is in mind. I'm already figuring out how I will fit it into the day, and what section of my project I will be working on. I already know how much time I will need, and how I will accomplish it.
At the beginning of every month, I decide when my promo days will be and write them on the calendar. About a week before each promotion, I figure out what my budget will be for that promotion and apply to the marketing sites.

How do you plan for your writing year? Do you have goals for 2016?

Fresh Fiction Giveaway!

Need some new ideas for fiction reads? You have come to the right place. Join our giveaway for books from some awesome Indie authors! Seven prizes to be won! 

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