Many of you know that I’m sold on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). This is an Amazon program for Kindle books. While I was in the process of writing my first Klepto Cat Mystery novel, I heard from a friend whose husband had published his first novel through this program. This unknown author had sold 2,000 copies within the first few months (as I recall). I was intrigued. So I became a KDP author from the get-go and have NOT been disappointed.
I’ve steered other authors in this direction, however, and they are not experiencing the success that I am. Why? Even though Amazon does a lot to promote your book for you, it is still—always has been and always will be—up to the author to promote his/her book. Those unknown authors who do not understand the concept that no one will buy your book if they don’t know it exists, are walking away from this program disappointed.
Some don’t think of an ebook as a valid book that you can easily promote. So they choose to publish print books. And this may be good and well for nonfiction. But I can tell you that my novels as ebooks are selling hundreds of copies more per week than the print versions of the same novels—it’s something like 50 or 60 to one most weeks.
Now let’s talk about promoting your ebook using some of the more traditional methods—public appearances, for example. You can still engage in public speaking, have booths at book festivals, etc. Here are some pointers:
- Create strong promotional material—a really nice brochure or bookmarks representing your ebook(s), maybe a professionally done mock-up of the ebook, and/or a book trailer showing on an electronic device for potential readers to view.
- Have a QR (Quick Response) Code placed on your promo material. Potential customers can scan the code with an app on their cell phones and use that information to order your ebook (or print book).
There are hundreds of additional methods of promoting your ebook. In fact, I’ve written a booklet called, 50 Ways to Promote Your Ebook. It sells for $1.99 here: http://www.matilijapress.com/50WaysToPromoteEBook.html Order your copy of this useful book today.
Whether you are the author of ebooks and need help with promotion or you are contemplating publishing one, this ebook is for you.