Friday, December 7, 2012

Write? What if I'm Wrong?


So it's been a little over a year since I published my first book. In that time, I have also published my second book, expanded my Facebook network, started a Facebook fan page, got on Twitter and Goodreads, started this blog, and ran some free promo days for my first book. I'm currently working on making a website. All the things that are supposed to equal increased book sales. I have been scouring blogs and books looking for that magic bullet to success, but I am still swimming in an ocean of indie authors all with the same goal.

In a recent Time magazine article about a romance convention that was held in Chicago this year, the writer focused a lot on indie authors and the chances of making it big. Joe Konrath, Amazon success story and self publishing guru, was at the convention to do a Q & A about self publishing. I like to read his blog and one of the things he said that has stuck with me was to get off Twitter and write. He said the main thing you can do to be successful is publish quality books. The more books you have the better. He suggested not even bothering to promote if you have less than three books published. If people like your writing, they will come back for more. At the convention Q & A session, Konrath, along with another successful indie author, said that blog tours and a lot of the other things authors do are a waste of time and do not really effect book sales. I have to agree. I have tried blog tours, guests posts and other networking ideas, and all have had only had a minimal (and temporary) effect, if any, on book sales.

Konrath also said that working the Amazon algorithm system to get your books on the best selling lists or on recommendation lists is the best was to increase sales. After joining KDP Select, I did a few free days for my first book after I released my second book. I had a huge number of downloads, and it skyrocketed up the Amazon lists and reached as high as #2 in Occult Horror and #42 on the overall top 100 on Amazon's free list. I was surprised by the increase in book sales on my second book. The sales even continued on my first book after the promo period. As my book dropped in the rankings, so did my books sales. My sales are definitely better with two books than when I had one, so I have to ask myself, what if Konrath is right? What if I'm wasting my time doing so much promoting using venues that don't seem to be helpful - something I have observed first hand. What if I just need to write more?

I don't think completely blowing off social media is the right answer. I think for people who know how to work social media, it can be a powerful tool. I'm not one of those people. I'm going to continue to try to learn how to use social media to my advantage, but I think I need to reassess the amount of time I spend doing it. I have a very limited amount of free time, and the time I use for promoting now is the time I used to spend writing.

My goal for the next year is to cut my social networking time and write more. I think Konrath is right about that. If readers like my books and want to come back for more, I'd better have more for them to come back to. As for the Amazon algorithms, no one really has the answer on how to make that work. It has something to do with sales and reviews; but overall, it still remains a mystery since authors can't totally control reviews or book sales.

I've built a lot of friendships on social media over the last year, and I don't want to lose those. I think there is still something to building a good network and fan base. Unlike Konrath, I don't think it is a waste of time to promote with less than three books. I enjoy meeting and supporting other authors and talking with fans. I just have to find a better balance between promoting and writing. Who knows? I could be the next indie success story!

12 comments:

  1. Without meaning to sound depressing, I think it's very hard to make it in indie publishing. There's simply too much competition. Amazon is drowning in self-published books, and it's impossible for any one to garner much reader attention (and just as impossible for readers to find the ones that might interest them). Writers like Konrath are the fortunate few - the 'lottery winners' of self-publishing.

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    1. I agree Ciara. There are some amazing books out there that will never be "discovered" while books like 50 Shades of Grey somehow win the "lottery." Konrath himself has said that sometimes it's just about luck.

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  2. I think you may have touched on something here, Michelle. We all need to write, write, write. Social media works well to promote, but as you well observe, competition is steep. The more quality books the better. And if your first one is anything to go by, there's plenty of quality there.

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    1. Thanks Jane! I appreciate the support :) I'm a big fan of yours as well!

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  3. I couldn't agree more with you, Ciara, and Jane. I've been soul-searching throughout the end of the year (the whole family emergency threw my writing and reading schedule for a loop -- I am just now beginning to come to a plateau) about what makes better sense for time spent writing versus marketing . . . writing wins every single time I take demon and angel off my shoulders to argue. I love your first book M.E. and hope to finish that with the several dozen others I began. It takes me so long to finish books I love (I know, that's the opposite, but it's really true -- just ask Jane how long it took me to read her first killer cool book - so good) . . . anyway. I hope for the best too.

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    1. I got caught up in the whole book sales = success thing, and forgot that I got into this because I love to write. It was never about book sales, and I need to remember that, and get back to doing what I love.

      Don't worry, I take a long time to read books I love too!

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  4. What an interesting post. I am learning quite a lot by reading different blogs and reading different opinions.

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  5. Konrath is absolutely correct - writing is the most important aspect of being an author, because without novels there would be no reason for people to follow you. But I think social media has its uses also. Blogs, blog touring, and social media platforms such as twitter has helped increased my sales, but more importantly they have given me something invaluable - friendships. It is through these platforms that I have met the most incredible people, such as yourself, and have built friendships that are not only assets to my career but treasures in my life.

    I am on the ride of my life and enjoying every moment of it. Even if I never sell another book, I will always be thankful that I was able to pursue my dream of writing, and for the many lifelong friendships I've made that have enriched my life.

    So with that said - I absolutely loved your books and can't wait to read your next one. But more importantly, thanks for the friendship you've extended to me.

    Merry Christmas.

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    1. I couldn't agree more. Those are my thoughts exactly. You are amazing, and I treasure your friendship as well.

      Thank you for the book love. Can't wait to read your next one :) Loved Fair Play!

      And a Merry Christmas to you too!

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  6. Thanks for sharing.
    It's an interesting idea to have three books out before concentrating on marketing. At least it's a plan.
    Odds of being the next Konrath are low. But that's life.
    Indie pub is still more possible than trad.
    Louise Sorensen
    louise3anne twitter

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    1. I agree Louise. Konrath was in the game early on in self publishing and already had established a following and had many books. It will be very difficult to match his success. I think self publishing is the way to go too.

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