Book Haven discussion

Hi, I am currently writing a free ebook as a prelude to my novel Jeremiah's Codes and wondering if free really works. Do people actually read free stuff or is it just another way to advertise your name in the book world. Anyone??

Paul wrote: "Hi, I am currently writing a free ebook as a prelude to my novel Jeremiah's Codes and wondering if free really works. Do people actually read free stuff or is it just another way t..."

Paul,

During the three years that my novel has been commercially available, the marketing representative, assigned by the publisher to promote it, has only provided twenty free copies - ten when first published, to be given to family members or friends of my choosing and ten copies to be awarded as prizes for the winners of a Goodreads Giveaway in December of 2013.

The marketing rep. predicted that approximately 1,000 readers would sign up for the contest. His prediction proved accurate; 1,053 actually participated.

When 456 of the participants made known their intent to read the novel, I excitedly notified the rep. He informed me that, based upon his experience, the TBR shelf of literary website members usually turns out to be more of a well-intenioned wish list than an actual intent to read.

The three sales reports and royalty checks issued since the contest ended in January proved the marketing representative's cautionary advice to be correct. The contest and members' intent to read commitments had absolutely no significant impact upon actual sales.

Unfortunately, when people become accustomed to receiving something for nothing, they often begin to ask themselves why they should pay for something which they may eventually get for free.

There are far more effective promotional tools: a professionally designed website, dedicated to providing information regarding the book and its author, press releases, a well-written blog, push cards that include a picture of the book's cover and a brief, yet compelling, blurb, and a well-prepared presentation, professionally delivered at literary conventions, book clubs, and public libraries.

Keep in mind that this is just my personal opinion and advice. Others may provide differing opinions that may prove helpful

I wish you success.

Jim wrote: "Paul wrote: "Hi, I am currently writing a free ebook as a prelude to my novel Jeremiah's Codes and wondering if free really works. Do people actually read free stuff or is it just ..."

Thanks Jim, really appreciate your input.

Some of the advice I read regarding free is that it CAN work for you; That if you do a free promotion on Kindle for the seven day period, it will help in book sells. You have to give something away free to get noticed.

I don't like giving my hard work away free; And I think that if consumers can pay $200-$500 for the latest SmartPhone, they can afford a $2.99 book. But readers are tenacious, they will hold out for the free promotion. And when I promoted one of my romance novels for free, there were over a thousand downloads of it. A thousand! I really could have used that money. But the good news is that apparently, readers liked it enough to spread the word about it, and now it's growing in popularity every month which results in sales.

So, my experience has been, if free readers like it enough, the word will spread and your work will get noticed. I have a new suspense novel out that I will offer free for the seven day limit. I feel that if readers like it, then word about it will get around and it will start to sell like my first novel.

I hope this helps.

Groovy wrote: "Some of the advice I read regarding free is that it CAN work for you; That if you do a free promotion on Kindle for the seven day period, it will help in book sells. You have to give something away..."

Thankyou, appreciate your advice