Marketing an Ebook

[lauragill]

I am having a hard time finding venues in which to market my ebook. A lot of historical fiction forums are dead, unlike this one, and I have tried ads on Facebook and such, but the word doesn't seem to be reaching those who might most be interested. A lack of reviews doesn't help, either. I know I like to see reviews before buying something.

So, being that some of the forum members have been involved in historical fiction message boards and forums longer than I have, what do you suggest?

[Mythica]

I can add it to my next instalment of bargain books on my blog. Have you tried Goodreads and Kindleboards? Also, have you tried contacting some of the historical fiction blogs that do reviews and offer them a free copy for a review? Those are the main places I frequent as a reader.

[Misfit]

I still think participating in sites like this and Goodreads and interacting with readers so they get to know you is the best way to go. Word of mouth as well from fellow readers whose opinion I respect.

I know some authors contact Amazon reviewers asking for reviews, but puhleeze don't ask them to review and then tell them where to go and buy it. No, I am not kidding, I've received more than one offer like that.

Mythica has some good advice, there are some historical ficiton blogs that are open to featuring new authors.

[lauragill]

I still think participating in sites like this and Goodreads and interacting with readers so they get to know you is the best way to go. Word of mouth as well from fellow readers whose opinion I respect.

I know some authors contact Amazon reviewers asking for reviews, but puhleeze don't ask them to review and then tell them where to go and buy it. No, I am not kidding, I've received more than one offer like that.

Mythica has some good advice, there are some historical ficiton blogs that are open to featuring new authors.

Could you please provide links? I want to make sure I'm looking in the right place.

[Misfit]

What links specifically are you asking for?

[lauragill]

What links specifically are you asking for?

I just found some HF groups on Goodreads (I belonged to the site, but had forgotten all about it till you and Mythica reminded me. Can you believe that?!):rolleyes: I did post in the Kindle forum about two weeks ago.

Do you know links to other HF groups or sites which I have not covered that are active? I do read and like to discuss HF as well as want to promote my book, so I'm not looking to spam anyone.

[Misfit]

Goodreads and HFO are the best places to chat IMHO. There's the HF boards at Amazon but they're pretty much infested with spamming authors these days. Goodread has groups a-plenty. Just look at books similar to yours and see what groups have them shelved and jump in. As long as you don't spam readers really do like to interact with authors.

ETA, there is also Librarything and Shelfari but I don't spend much time at LT and never at the latter. Can't speak for others.

[lauragill]

Goodreads and HFO are the best places to chat IMHO. There's the HF boards at Amazon but they're pretty much infested with spamming authors these days. Goodread has groups a-plenty. Just look at books similar to yours and see what groups have them shelved and jump in. As long as you don't spam readers really do like to interact with authors.

ETA, there is also Librarything and Shelfari but I don't spend much time at LT and never at the latter. Can't speak for others.

Thanks. I would never spam, because I hate it when people spam me. And I'm not such a lowlife as to create a sockpuppet and review my own book. That's just sad.

[Misfit]

Thanks. I would never spam, because I hate it when people spam me. And I'm not such a lowlife as to create a sockpuppet and review my own book. That's just sad.

;):) You get extra brownie points just for that. You'd be surprised how many do...

[Divia]

Have you contacted the Historical Novel Society and asked anyone to review your book?

http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/

I agree with Misfit that bloggers are an excellent way of getting info out about your book. But like she said please don't ask them to buy the book. I agree, I find that terribly tacky.

Word of mouth is really the best thing. You have to get it into the hands of people who will do some legwork for you(tell friends its a good book and post reviews on amazon and blogs)/

[Mythica]

I just found some HF groups on Goodreads (I belonged to the site, but had forgotten all about it till you and Mythica reminded me. Can you believe that?!):rolleyes: I did post in the Kindle forum about two weeks ago.

I don't mean the Kindle forum at Amazon - I mean www.Kindleboards.com - there is a section for self promotion and you're allowed to put links/covers for your books in your signature too (like you can here). A lot of readers there are big readers of indie/self-published books and history/historical fiction is a regular topic that comes up. So you should get some traffic if you join and participate there.

[Misfit]

Word of mouth is really the best thing.

No kidding. You should have seen it a few months ago when a friend at Goodreads picked up a very obscure OOP in a book swap. I was intrigued, got a copy from the library and we read it very close together, loved it and pimped it all over Goodreads and else where. At that time many copies of that MMPB from the 80's were available for under $1. Go and look (http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Cigar-Tom-Murphy/dp/0451088107/ref=pd_ybh_23?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0N3JMT52M4WM47EHBTK4) at what's being asked for copies now :eek:

Similar also to a recent mention of The Alnwick trilogy by Melanie Clegg on her blog. I lucked out and got copies cheap (as did Tanzanite), but they're getting rather dear now and not that many still available.

If you are interested in Amazon reviews, you might also look at books in the same period as yours is and try to contact them and offer a review copy. Many put emails on their profile pages just for that purpose.

[MLE]

No kidding. You should have seen it a few months ago when a friend at Goodreads picked up a very obscure OOP in a book swap. I was intrigued, got a copy from the library and we read it very close together, loved it and pimped it all over Goodreads and else where. At that time many copies of that MMPB from the 80's were available for under $1. Go and look (http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Cigar-Tom-Murphy/dp/0451088107/ref=pd_ybh_23?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0N3JMT52M4WM47EHBTK4) at what's being asked for copies now :eek:

Similar also to a recent mention of The Alnwick trilogy by Melanie Clegg on her blog. I lucked out and got copies cheap (as did Tanzanite), but they're getting rather dear now and not that many still available.


Is that what happened to Prince of Foxes? There used to be pages of penny copies on Amazon; after all, there were gazillions of old hardcovers out there, it was a bestseller and a book club pick in its day. But now the cheapest one is $17!!!
Although I can't imagine it was really my few mentions that did it -- more like all the five-star reviews.

[Misfit]

Is that what happened to Prince of Foxes? There used to be pages of penny copies on Amazon; after all, there were gazillions of old hardcovers out there, it was a bestseller and a book club pick in its day. But now the cheapest one is $17!!!
Although I can't imagine it was really my few mentions that did it -- more like all the five-star reviews.

It wouldn't surprise me, but I haven't followed that book so couldn't answer for sure. It really is something to see when one of those old treasures get *discovered* and you watch the used copies slowly disappear.

That's the kind of word of mouth I'd suspect authors want to get ;)

[fljustice]

I investigated and made a list of all the HF and general book reviewers I could locate on the web that seemed to cover my time period/genre and sent them a query letter with a description of the book asking if they wanted to review it. Mine was print and ebook, so I gave the reviewer a choice as to format. You'll want to check out the submission/review guidelines; some don't accept ebooks and some don't accept self/indie published. If you go to my blog (http://faithljustice.wordpress.com), I have a list of reviewers on the right. That should get you started, but more are popping up everyday.

Another good "soft marketing" tool is to offer to guest blog on a History/HF blog. (Again, check out my blog roll to start, each blog will have their own blog roll, you can branch out.) Investigate the sites for compatibility, contact the owner and pitch a proposal. Many sites will be grateful for free relevant, content. It should be about a topic related to your book, but not a review of your book...some interesting piece of research or something in the current news related to your book. The introduction can then say "Laura Gill, author of The Young Lion" with links to your website or sell page.

I agree that the Amazon boards are lousy with spam and most people don't pay attention to them anymore. Goodreads and LibraryThing (also listed on my blog) are great. You can offer free copies for reviews on LibraryThing through their Member's Giveaway program. But I'd recommend going to the HobNob with Authors (http://www.librarything.com/groups/hobnobwithauthors) group first, browse, participate, then offer your book for reviews on that thread.

Marketing is the bane of our existence. It sucks our time and requires skills authors usually are not good at, but it must be done! Good luck.