This week marked the one year anniversary of the release of my debut novel HOST. In that time I’ve sold close to seven hundred copies across digital and print. I’m a few hundred copies away from breaking even. Not too shabby. It could be better, there is more I could do but I’m happy with how things have played out, and I’m taking the process as a learning experience. I’m still finding the sweet spot of my time invested and return. I’m still figuring out what marketing or promotional activities are worth my time and making sure I execute on them to make them worth while. This is all setup for when I release my second book early next year.
Things I could’ve done better? Had a better planned launch. I think I did OK with my first book with having a website, newsletter signup, social media posts ready, a launch party, and some early reviews. Next time, I’d push on getting more reviews at launch. I might even price the ebook differently out of the gate. I’d find more blogger reviews, Facebook groups, and reach out to podcasts or other sources to get the title out there. Advertising has worked, I use Facebook ads right now and that has a direct impact on sales. I plan to explore Amazon ads in small chunks. I recently lowered the ebook price to $4.99, I think I’ll roll in Amazon ads along with the Facebook ad to promote the price drop.
As for reviews, I have 50+ ratings on Amazon and about 40 on Goodreads. So far, mostly positive and I hold 4 / 5 star rating on both platforms. Next book, I’d push on getting those reviews earlier. Especially getting the book into the hands of niche bloggers and reviewers earlier. I came to that step late for HOST and am still working on it. It’s not an easy process because it’s time consuming and you’re hoping someone will read your book in time, and like it. It’s a big ask.
Social media is a tough one. I haven’t done much with it, other than posts on Instagram and engaged in a Thriller Facebook group. I’m torn on social media and it’s impact. I know it can be a valuable tool but I personally haven’t found the right amount of effort and time to make it worth it. Something I’ll explore for book two. Teasing earlier with updates to get people excited, then continuing during and after launch.
This year I wanted to do more events. So far I’ve done two this year. Not good. But again it’s finding the balance of effort and return. I feel my time is better spent writing the next book versus sinking time into an event that may or may not work out. If one person buys a copy that’s a success (kinda, not really but it’s the glass is half full person view). I’d like to have at least one event a month, maybe being armed with two books will make that more fulfilling.
There’s plenty more for me to work on and learn as I continue to write and launch books but these seemed to be the obvious after one year, and I’m sure I’ve written about them before. But after a year of HOST being out in the wild it’s been fun to see it, even if slowly, grow and get into the hands of readers. I’m enjoying the reactions both good and bad and, while HOST will always be my first, I’m excited to get that next story out there.
