Freebies. Why That Still Smarts.
Giving books away has been a no-no in my life ever since I was first published. It was drummed into me by other authors to NEVER give away your work -- except to your mother and maybe some siblings (providing they actually read books). So, now that every expert in the field of book marketing is telling me to "GIVE AWAY YOUR BOOKS," I find it very unsettling and not an easy thing to do.
But I'm doing it. (gulp)
Not all of of my books, mind you, but one and sometimes two of them. The powers-that-be call this "baiting" or "magnet books" that attract readers to your body of work. Yes, I'm used to sending out ARCS (advance reader copies) in hopes of getting a review or two out of them, but giving books to readers is a new activity for me.
I understand how it works to build your reader base and get them talking about your books. When I go onto Goodreads and see people asking if anyone knows of any good westerns or romantic suspense series, I fume. Why? Because Goodreads doesn't allow authors to jump in there and write, "Read mine! They're fabulous!" Nope. You can't do that. You must remain on author pages where you can post your new book or cover or whatever and hope that readers migrate there to see it. Fat chance.
So, I've jumped onto the freebie bandwagon and have been sending my books to people left and right, free of charge. I'm also going to begin offering a novella of mine to anyone who signs up for my elite readers group or my elite Facebook group.
Of course, if you're a KU member (Kindle Unlimited) you can get my books for free any old time you want. However, it's alarming to discover how few reviewers are KU members. This is, of course, because they don't ever buy books, so they sure aren't going to pay for a KU membership.
It's also odd to discover people who STILL don't read ebooks, for whatever reason. Most of the time, it's because they say they can't afford an ereader. This seems preposterous to me. You can buy a Kindle Fire for $50 and get books, movies, email, etc. on it. That will SAVE you money, in the long-run. Especially, if you're one of those people who never pays for books, but gets them free on various online sites. Spend $50 and not another dime to read thousands of books. Yes, the majority of those free books suck. But, hey. They're free, so quit whining.
If one out of five people I have sent books to actually leaves reviews of them on Amazon and/or Goodreads, I will be a freebie convert for life. If not? I'll still keep giving them to readers in hopes that some of them will enjoy them so much they will want to read more of my books. Gee. They might even want to BUY one!
I would absolutely love to receive, read and review your books! I dont do KU because i feel it benefits the authors for me to purchase their books.
ReplyDeleteDebra, what kind of book do you prefer? Contemporary? Historical? My next book out is #4 in the Mind's Eye series. It's romantic suspense and sexy. My latest western historical is Solitary Horseman. Thanks for the kind offer.
DeleteDebra Duncan, are you there?
DeleteI loved your blog post. Sadly I fit right in there with your problem. I did buy a kindle and you are right we can pretty much read for free. I also do ARC reviews for a number of authors and would be interested assisting you in that if you need more reviewers. I do read the books promptly and I post reviews on both Amazon and goodreads.
ReplyDeleteLinda, what type of books do you prefer? Contemporary? Historical? My next book out is #4 in the Mind's Eye series. It's romantic suspense and sexy. My latest western historical is Solitary Horseman. By the way, authors are paid for KUs. We get so much per page read, which is determined by bots, we're told. :) Ah, technology!
DeleteI would love to receive n review for you, I do ARC for a number of Author
ReplyDeleteHi, Tina. So, what type of books do you prefer? Contemporary? Historical? My next book out is #4 in the Mind's Eye series. It's romantic suspense and sexy. My latest western historical is Solitary Horseman. Do you have an ereader? Kindle?
DeleteI am willing to read and review any of your books! I review for many authors in many different genres.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Caprice. Message or email me your email address and I'll send you a book. Do you have a Kindle? ereader?
DeleteSo nice of you if it were print for a review i would do it as that is all i can do is print as i am severely disbled with a nerve disease. I read 145 book a year or maybe more and write 2 reviews for each one one on goodreads and one on amazon I love to help the authors and review their books.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's the thought that counts. :-) Sending printed books by mail gets expensive for me. Some of my books are available in print, though.
DeleteStrange writers world we live in these days, isn't it? I wonder if Peggy is turning over in her grave? :-)
ReplyDelete