I finally published a book, now where can I attract buyers?

1. 73

   Joelle Burnetteposted 13 years ago

   Yes, I finally took that step into the great Amazon and beyond and published my first book in the Kindle store (and on smashwords). It's called, "Freedom Doesn't Just Come Along With A Tree." It's a Hanukkah poem -- a children's book -- about a boy who is the only Jewish child in a classroom adorned with Christmas holiday decorations. His mother brings all the fixings for a Hanukkah party and a fun way for the children to learn about the Jewish holiday. In this Hanukkah poem, she is proud of her son who is the catalyst for tolerance and change when he inadvertently teaches his classmates about diversity and how it feels to be singled out.
   
   So, now that I've sent out e-mails to all my friends, I've blogged about it, Tweeted and I'm going to Facebook next...where do writers go online, etc. when they want to promote their e-books?
   
   Are there great forum sites (aside from HubPages, of course) where one might frequent to attract buyers?
   
   Please offer this e-book virgin some constructive advice.
   
   Thanks,
   Joelle Burnette

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      Zac828posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with everyone here, get it out there as much as possible. Twitter, Facebook and Google+ are options. I have also been advised to create a book trailer and publish that on Youtube, I created mine from Windows Movie Maker. After that I would think to get as high a profile as possible, perhaps look on blogs of writers that you like and admire then leave comments. Find as many friends as possible.
      Good luck, let me know how things go as I am about to put myself in the same position as you with my first book.
      Lots of luck and success to you.

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2. 89

   Sneha Sunnyposted 13 years ago

   You've already done whatever I thought to recommend you (fb, twitter etc). One more thing you can do is that submit your hub about your book to bookmarking sites like digg and stumbleupon.
   
   Congratulations for your book. I wish you all the best for the book sellings...

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      Sneha Sunnyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      one more thing you can do, put the amazon  widget of your book on your blog at the top so that everyone visiting your blog could see that.

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   Purple Turtleposted 13 years ago

   I agree with Sneha. I would only add that you write a review for your book on places like HubPages and ask others to do the same. It would do you some good to have some five star reviews for your book on Amazon.
   
   Also it would not hurt to submit pages and articles pertaining to your book to places like Delicious and DMoz.
   
   I would also like to say congratulations. My uncle has just published his first book last night and I know through talking with him about it that it is no easy task. I hope that your book is the first of many and brings you much success.

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   Richard Craigposted 13 years ago

   I can only agree with what's already been said.  I checked it out on Amazon UK and it's £3.68!  What a ripoff!! LOL Only joking.  Congratulations on the book - I wish I could finish writing one.  I noticed that in the 'product description' you didn't link it back to you on HubPages which could help you out maybe if they have a bit more of a background on you.

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5. 83

   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   If you would care to email me a 150-200 word synopsis of your book, I will add it to my bookselling site. There is a link to it on my profile, but contact me through Hubpages as that is my main mailing account.
   
   Your books sounds enchanting!

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6. 75

   Kathleen Cochranposted 13 years ago

   I have several ebooks on Amazon and the advice I would give you is to put an exerpt from the book here on HubPages as a hub.  I did this and got so much response I closed my Web site and my Facebook page (just dedicated to my writing) because they brought me zero traffic compared to the traffic with my hub.  Do link you hubs to your personal Facebook page, because that sends your hubs to your friends.  That's a whole different dynamic than trying to get folks to come to you.  Good luck!

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   viking305posted 13 years ago

   Congratulations on publishing your first eBook.  I too am in the process of finishing my first eBook to publish on Amazon.  These answers have helped me too.  So good luck and I look forward to reading about your success.

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8. 78

   psycheskinnerposted 13 years ago

   I would suggest a clearer title for the book--that one is a little unclear unless you already know what the book is about.  The main thing that sells a book is availability and cover appeal.

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9. 83

   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   I should add here that if anyone wants a bit more coverage for their books, please do send me a synopsis and I will add the to my site too.
   
   Although I write about best sellers, I see no reason not to have a sub-section dealing with new releases or self-publishers.
   
   If you want that is. Every little helps, so they say.

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10. 73

    Joelle Burnetteposted 13 years ago

    Wow! Everyone, thank you so much for all the great tips. Izzy, I'll get you a synopsis ASAP (my deadline for my other job is already overdue and I've spent too much time scanning the web this morning).
    
    There's so much to do and I'm doing most of it myself (with a little help from hubby). I love how people say, just push the button and upload. Anyone who has gone through the process knows it isn't that easy. Smashwords has a fabulous guide on getting your book formatted correctly. Still, it took all weekend (and a bit more) to get everything loaded and ready to go.
    
    It's all very exciting.
    
    Thanks again for all the tips. Please add more and I'll check back as soon as I can (my editor is likely steaming right now, so on to daily stories).

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       Jean Bakulaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Joelle,
       I recently self published a book on the tarot. My "proof" books came at the end of Sept, and they had big chunks of print out of them, so were unreadable. I finally got about 50 books the third week of Nov. It's really much harder than I thought it would be. I was at a holiday bazaar all day Saturday, and only sold 2 books in 8 hours on my feet! The publisher I used took money& told me with a buy back program,  $500, the books would be placed on physical book store shelves, but they lied. Now they expect me to buy large amounts of my own book, when I already invested about $1500.00 into it. A few other people on HP used them, Xlibris. I havew a Metaphysical Fair in March, where I can do tarot readings and sell the book, it's about the tarot. But to sell at these fairs they charge too. All my friends are saying, "Oh, how's the book doing?" But not too many are buying it! I have links on HP, I have a blog where it's prominently displayed, as it's on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. Besides fairs and friends I'm getting concerned they won't sell. The royalties page from the publisher is down. It's such a niche topic too, yours sounds just right for this season. I was also told libraries don't allow book signings of self published books, though if you can get space at any event,  try to do that. I am open to ideas as well. Thanks, and good luck to you.

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11. 61

    couturepopcafeposted 13 years ago

    Some helpful information.
    
    http://www.thecreativepenn.com/marketing/

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12. 52

    sazenposted 13 years ago

    Joelle,
    
    Congrats on all the work you have done since publishing your first book. I would add one more google friendly site to promote your book. notemote.com 
    Just add a bit of content about the book or your inspiration for it and you're set. I recomend notemote because it's free and effective and allows you to sell the book directly from the site. Happy writing...

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13. 73

    Joelle Burnetteposted 13 years ago

    Thanks again for all your input.

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