Free books boosts sales

Posted on December 1, 2011 by laina

I came across this fabulous post by D.D Scott, an author I admire, who posts frequently about her journey in the indie epublishing world. It’s about her pricing strategy and to many of us authors pricing is such a crap shoot. But before we can worry much about price we need to worry about exposure. Our book can be the best price out there but if no one knows it’s for sale it won’t do us much good. D.D. celebrated one of her milestones by pricing her first book in the Bootscootin’ series as free and watched her sales SOAR!!!!!

Read the full article about how she achieved her success here.

Christmas Bling

Posted on November 30, 2011 by laina

I love Christmas, I mean who doesn’t? I love the decorations, the festivity, buying (and receiving presents), holiday food, and the sheer joy on my kids faces at all I just mentioned. I don’t want to spout religion but I am also thankful for what Christmas represents besides all the fun stuff.

This week my family and I have been playing Christmas music and decorating the house. It’s been great fun. It gave me the idea that I needed to “Christmas up” my website so I went and found tons of great free Christmas wallpapers and changed the background of my website to reflect my holiday spirit. Now I realize many would argue that I shouldn’t be messing with my site as it’s my brand – yada, yada, yada, and I do agree BUT it’s Christmas. I want to decorate!!

Here are a couple good links to some Christmas bling!

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/beautiful-christmas-wallpapers-for-your-desktop/

http://www.fabuloussavers.com/xmas.shtml

Happy Holidays!

Laina

I fell off the wagon

Posted on November 29, 2011 by laina

I sincerely apologize to my readers for falling off the daily marketing bandwagon. I have no excuse. Well actually I have a lot of excuses that I would like to use but I don’t want to seem whiny. I did however get laid off from my day job and took the couple weeks I was absent from my blog to drink a lot of coffee, watch a ton of Law & Oder re-runs, and figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.

You’ll be happy to know that I went through a one pound bag of Dunkin Donuts pumpkin spice coffee, got to episode 101 of Law & Order on Netflix instant stream, and realized that what I wanted to be when I grew up was what I have always wanted to be – a writer. Now I have a few books out there but it’s been more of a hobby and a longing rather than something I focused 24/7 or rather 32/8 on. When I thought about the aspect of finding another job and still putting my dreams on hold versus going all out and taking the leap to achieve my dream of making a living being an author I realized how much I needed to take this opportunity and reach for my dreams. While giving up a steady paycheck makes me nervous I am thrilled at the upcoming prospects. The world is mine for the taking and I know I can accomplish whatever I set my mind out to do.

To update you on my marketing/sales I did slow down on the marketing front the last two weeks but had a Kindle Nation Daily push on Nov. 20th for Necklaces & Nooses that gave me a boost. I then uploaded to Amazon my 3rd Presley Thurman book, Handbags & Hooligans, and my holiday short, Mistletoe & Murder, and experienced the greatest period of consistent sales to date. Every day I cross my fingers that it continues.

Have a great day!

Laina

Mistletoe & Murder cover choices

Posted on November 22, 2011 by laina

Help me choose the cover for the short story Mistletoe & Murder!!!!! Post your opinion on which cover you like best in the comments. Once we choose the cover I can upload on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes. This is my Christmas present to my readers and will be FREE!!!!

Choice #1 Large Swirls

Choice #2 Small Swirls

What’s your “thing?”

Posted on November 14, 2011 by laina

I read a great post by DD Scott, author extraordinaire and co-founder of WG2E, about having a signature “thing”. Something you do that stands out as your voice as an author and business person. The “thing” people expect and want from you.

I am going to think a day or two about what my “thing” is. Until then read this awesome post and tell me what your “thing” is.

Laina

Day #14 of my 30 day marketing focus

Posted on November 14, 2011 by laina

Hope you all had a great weekend. I decided to not bore you over the weekend with daily updates as I didn’t have a lot to report. I did sell 1 copy of Stilettos in the UK after a month long dry spell so that was exciting. Today I am going to spend some time on the Kindle Boards promoting my book and interacting with other authors.

Here is a good blog post on how to keep yourself motivated. I know sometimes I need all the help I can get.

Have a great day!

Laina

Day #11 of my 30 day marketing focus

Posted on November 11, 2011 by laina

“The most important things in life aren’t things.” Anthony J. D’Angelo

Yesterday was another slow/no sales day. I realize that marketing is about consistency, hence my 30 day commitment to be consistent.

Today I will be tagging on Amazon and hopefully be tagged back on the Kindle Boards. This will increase search capabilites and hopefully increase sals when someone searches my catagory.

Check out this great post on writing tips

Day #10 of my 30 day marketing challenge

Posted on November 10, 2011 by laina

“I put all my genius into my life; I put only my talent into my works.” Oscar Wilde

Yesterday I sold the following of my Presley Thurman mystery series:

Stilettos & Scoundrels

Kindle 0

Nook 0

Necklaces & Nooses

Kindle 0

Nook 0

Two days of not so great sales to say the least. But today is a new day and today I will be marketing by interacting on bookblogs.com.

WHat’s your focus today?

Laina

Help me name my holiday novella

Posted on November 9, 2011 by laina

With a lot of help I have narrowed down the title of this years holiday novella to three choices. Now I need your help to pick the winner. I would love your opinion.

1. Christmas & Crime

2. Mistletoe & Murder

3. Gingerbread & Guns

Thanks for your help.

Laina

Day #9 of my 30 day marketing focus

Posted on November 9, 2011 by laina

“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.” Flora Whittemore

Yesterday I sold the following of my Presley Thurman mystery series:

Stilettos & Scoundrels

Kindle 0

Nook 0

Necklaces & Nooses

Kindle 0

Nook 0

A DEPRESSING big fat zero, zilch, nada. But not every day can be a winner. It’s all about staying the course and being consistent.

What are you doing today to meet your goals?

Laina