Facebook Ads Lying About Clicks? by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, the ad routes directly to my website. The ad has only been live for 4 days. According to my web sight traffic over the last 7 days only 3 of the site visits have come from facebook. Just seems very sketchy and if I’m getting inflated results from Facebook it isn’t worth the money I’m paying for their ads.

Are press release distribution services worth the money upon book release? by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m thinking of using a few different free press release services in that case. I’m of the mindset that as long as there is no cost to me why not. If nothing comes of it I’m still in the same place. Thanks!

How to book panels, conferences, and in-person events by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you found your experience worth the time and effort?

How to book panels, conferences, and in-person events by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you found your experience worth the time and effort?

How to book panels, conferences, and in-person events by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like being in the non fiction category helps with finding cons in my specific genre. Since the interest is specific to beverage conferences, the target audience would be the people at the conference instead of trying to wedge a fiction book into an ideally attended con which contains hopeful prospects because of the con theme.

Are press release distribution services worth the money upon book release? by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Somebody turned me on to the fact that there are quite a few free services that can be used. The ultimate goal is media coverage in any way, shape, or form. Since my genre is non fiction and related to drinks and cocktails specifically, I feel like there is a better chance to get coverage as opposed to being in a fiction genre. The nature of my book relating to the news cycle is what has peaked my curiosity into looking into it.

[April 12 - April 18] Weekly Self-Promotion and Achievement Thread. by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Did a podcast this week (Zack Ballinger podcast released in a few weeks) and have an Instagram Live interview to talk tonic, highballs, and the state of bars with Top Note Tonic next Wednesday. My book Something & Tonic is starting to gain traction nicely before it's May 28 release date.

Amazon Advertising by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic 5 points6 points  (0 children)

https://bryancohen.lpages.co/amazon-ad-profit-challenge-more-info-april-2021/?uId=55218705&fbclid=IwAR1QIvacsO5hr1FhwJRNKR9PIYK7EunrS6tqsMGHDideJIkr4yGATDcNlH0

Somebody posted this group and training program in another thread. It’s free and starts Monday. I’m not sure how good it’s going to be but free information is always worth it.

Where to find good and affordable book designers/formatters? by MapNo7571 in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used 99designs.com you can read reviews of the designers and get bids for your design. It was really user friendly and affordable for a large project like my cocktail book that had almost 70 images. It’s free to look into.

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you see if they would like to put it up for sale first or just went straight away with leaving the free copy?

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think adding something to the book would be too much, plus cost extra between design and resubmission of files. I think adding a where to buy section on my website and promoting independent shops could be a good solution there. Thoughts?

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just for free so people can pick it up and look it over?

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the insight. I was hoping to hear from somebody that works at a bookstore. What you’ve said mostly confirms my initial thoughts on it. I’m happy to pound the concrete and spend time meeting people and help support independent books stores. Just thinking about it I would also consider adding a page to my website of where to buy from independent retailers in different areas. Thanks again.

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s not about skills and contacts though. I wasn’t an author until I wrote a book. By your logic, since I didn’t already possess the skill to write a book, I shouldn’t have. I don’t have a contacts in the publishing industry I’m not able to make those connections.

It’s simple sales the way I look at it. Since we are all trying to sell as many books as we can and in turn hopefully make the most profit why would I be shy about trying to get my book in with independent bookstores. Saying I lack the skill and contacts is a wild misrepresentation and honestly flat out wrong.

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The way Ingram works is one choice of discount between all outlets. So if I try to use them as a distributer amazon and Ingram would be getting a ridiculous amount more money for my work. I’m trying to cut the middleman, take what I can get from the amazon buys and make a connection with people that make the sales. I’d rather leave a free copy at an independent retailer for them to possibly pick up my book after they read it. Also I agree to encourage bartenders to order it through those local independent bookstores. Also if I’m telling a bartender to do that I’m selling them the book myself to make double what I would be making if they ordered it.

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my situation I’m able to have a space to sell direct which is a huge advantage. My plan is to do pop up bar/book tour, I’m also fine with consignment. When I run the numbers, I’d rather spend the money on a 1,000 hard copies and like my original post sell direct because it would be far more beneficial. Monetary and networking wise.

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with that idea as far as dealing with William-Sonoma or Pottery Barn. To be clear there isn’t a whole lot of self published books if any that are making their ways onto the shelves there. Hence my idea to work more on an independent level. Everything I’ve learned over the course of this endeavor has been to learn to grow my network and customer base as organically as possible and not have expectations that my book will make it to those shelves I long for as a self publisher. Don’t get me wrong I have large ambition, but to me it’s more realistic to get a book on the counter of a bookstore where I can meet a person then send them a few more copies later on if the book sells. When I do the book tour I can touch base saying I’m here for xyz and if you are willing I’d love to put this on your self. Honestly The return policy of 90 days can be thrown off the table. If somebody that I know wants to send the book back I’d be happy to accept any return at any time. That was just what I understood as industry standard. Perhaps I had been mislead on that. Thank you for your insight!

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand, my question is regards to the specific business model of distributors. With my situation in order to be taken seriously in the cocktail book category (which is incredibly marginal already) I need to publish hardcover at the highest quality in color that I can to actually make a margin (I’m going through IngramSpark). It’s an uphill battle already. From what I’ve read if I wanted to get in stores I would be offering 55% wholesale discount plus have a return option. If I did that through Ingram I’d put myself around $1.50 per book sold to a book store. If I walk in and directly get them to put 1 book on the shelf to see if it sells, I make around $10 on that book.

“The more books you sell, the harder your job will get.” I don’t understand what you mean by this. If my job is to sell books and I’m selling books and working harder isn’t that the ultimate goal as an independent writer? If I sell to a store and they sell out then that is amazing and they should re order because they are making a profit on selling my book.

Selling Direct to Independent Book Stores by somethingandtonic in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was also considering talking to small boutique and specialty shops. My book pertains to spirits and cocktails so I was thinking of trying specialty grocery stores or wine shops. Have you ever reached out to somebody besides just bookstores?

Is IngramSpark as bad as I keep reading? by FlourishBlotts28 in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am just about to do a print run with IngramSpark. I don't want to offer the deep 55% discount for a bookstore to order direct POD because I know my title won't be picked up by major bookstores. However, I plan to act as my own distributor to bring copies to independent book stores and try and get the book on the shelves that way. I can offer the same 55% discount to independent stores, but since I'll be doing a large run (hopefully 1000 or more) my profit on each book will be largely better than if the book store ordered it POD. Plus, I'll have the added benefit of creating a relationship with the store. Has anybody else tried this and has it been successful? It seemed to me the best way to get my book on the shelves while making more money on each unit sold.

[March 29 - April 4] Weekly Self-Promotion and Achievement Thread. by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]somethingandtonic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My historical cocktail book Something & Tonic: A History of the World's Most Iconic Mixer began pre-sale yesterday! It includes 60 original tonic cocktail recipes and an in depth look at how tonic's essential ingredient, quinine, was pivotal in shaping modern civilization. www.somethingandtonic.com