Support for Indie Authors discussion

I have joined several book groups on Facebook that allow authors to market their book on the group page, however, I am beginning to wonder if those groups are filled with authors simply posting their book and no one really looks at the posts. None of them seem to have comments, likes or shares. Is it a waste of time belonging to such groups? For example, there are several kindle groups with say 20 thousand plus members, with line after line of book posts - but no activity on any of the posts. Thoughts?

I can't say for sure, but I've often wondered the same thing. I think your assessment might be accurate.

Almost all of those are other authors pushing their books. I discovered that a few years ago. So if you are expecting sales, probably not going to help.

If you have a reader magnet, then use it in places like joint promotions to your email list and friends on FB or Instagram, etc. Join joint promotions with it. I've gotten sales from them. BookBub, if you are one of the authors on there will allow low cost ads for newer authors.

Use the other marketing newsletters. They do go out to readers. Yes you have to pay, but if you have a sale, those will bump your sales.

And whatever you do, don't pay for reviews unless they are editorial ones that are respected and you can use quotes from them--but they are expensive.

Best advice--work on an email list and get followers you can market to. You will get more sales there. I've gotten sales and a library who picked up one of my books with no ads for 5 years.

Thanks a million - I really appreciate the input!

Hi, thanks for accepting me as a new member of your group!
As with many indie authors, I am driven more by my passion for writing than by monetary gain. Although I have published nine books, I am a novice at promoting them! I feel it's a shame that so few people get a chance to read my books after I put so much effort into them. I sometimes use KDP free book promotions; and I see there are numerous US book promotional sites, but is there anyone who could point me in the direction of any that focus on the UK please?

I publish cookbooks , and i am struggling to make sales , as a newbie in KDP i dnt really know how these stuffs works but for now i strongly maintain my focus on how to get reviews on my books

I agree with Message from B. A. that the book groups have mostly authors for members. But I like to look at the sometimes fantastic book titles.

Thanks Rob 👍

B.A. wrote: "Almost all of those are other authors pushing their books. I discovered that a few years ago. So if you are expecting sales, probably not going to help.

If you have a reader magnet, then use it i..."

Thanks for the advice :) I've been seriously considering paying for reviews. Not five-star ones, I'm after honest reviews. However, the ones I'm looking at that are within my price range seem a bit suspect. Not scammy - I have confidence in them. They're just small and not worth spending my $ on when I could be putting it toward a heavy-hitter.

Any you would point me too, please? Thank you.

Jeb wrote: "I have joined several book groups on Facebook that allow authors to market their book on the group page, however, I am beginning to wonder if those groups are filled with authors simply posting the..."

Hi Jeb. I joined a bunch of FB groups and I walked away with the same impression. And to be fair, I was guilty of it too. I was looking for sales and pumping my book, but I don't think that's the right way to do it. I came to understand I'm pushing my book in front of other authors, who are readers, but are in the business of trying to flog their book too.

I've pivoted to a more organic presence-building approach, building connections with writers and readers, and learning stuff along the way. It's interesting, I have to say.

Once I've been at it a couple of months, I'll start to do some advertising and leverage presence. The ads should hopefully appear in front of people looking to buy.

I've stayed away from using Facebook in general for this reason. But I am curious, are you leveraging a website of any kind to influence traffic in the direction of your books?

I don't know what your genre is, but mine is historical fiction. There are more than a few FB groups that include the era that I write about and that I have contributed to frequently. X also enables you to connect with others interested in your genre.

I got involved with them just to have contact with others who shared my somewhat esoteric interest, but it ended up being a great way for people to learn about my books. When I put the two Amz only books at $0.00, I always make sure to let them know since there are always new members.

Sarkahn wrote: "I've stayed away from using Facebook in general for this reason. But I am curious, are you leveraging a website of any kind to influence traffic in the direction of your books?"

I have a website but I wouldn't say I was driving people to it in those FB groups. Probably doing myself a disservice in that regard.

Eileen wrote: "I don't know what your genre is, but mine is historical fiction. There are more than a few FB groups that include the era that I write about and that I have contributed to frequently. X also enable..."

Mine are fantasy and sci-fi, about as broad as you could get :) Lots of FB groups catering for that. You know, I don't doubt there are good groups to be in, if I would put the time and effort in, as you have, but I'm choosing not to do that. Instead my efforts are in X, Twitter and now Goodreads.
I like the normal, day-to-day interactions rather than the click-bait stuff.

I would highly recommend it honestly. Your site would be your central platform hub like Grand Central Station in New York and just use social media to act as roads with a bunch of signs pointing directly to it.

Useful posts! Many thanks - I must take note!

Leane wrote: "I publish cookbooks , and i am struggling to make sales , as a newbie in KDP i dnt really know how these stuffs works but for now i strongly maintain my focus on how to get reviews on my books"

I'm in the same boat as well. I can't get sales and reviews

Jane wrote: "Hi,inghanks for accepting me as a new member of your group!
As with many indie authors, I am driven more marketingpassion for writing than by monetary gain. Although I have published nine books, I am a..."
Hi,
It seems I'm late to the party.
We are in the same boat. Perhaps yours has sailed away by now!
I do little marketing, although sometimes use Kdp promos. They haven't brought any meaningful sales. I'm hoping (they say hope is not a strategy!) to promote heck out one of my series books, which will sell the others. The 3rd book of the series will publish in Nov. 2024. Maybe it's the one!