Free Reviewed
10 Nov 2012
A year ago I wrote a blog saying “Too Much Free is Bad.” In it I claimed free ebooks would increase supply, thus lower demand for non-free titles, thus book prices in general. I think this has happened. But now, I also think free, bad or not, is here to stay. And, I also believe free is the only way an indie author can attract a few initial readers. Being so, I’m running some trials to assess the factors that cause readers to select a free ebook. In my first test I ran three of my ebooks on Amazon.com to assess the importance of reviews in attracting an audience. I offered each ebook free for 2 days. I did no marketing, not even a single tweet. The first ebook was a 7,000 word short story called THE JESUS TWIN. It had no reviews. It attracted 1 download over a 2 day period. Awesome! Next was THE GENERAL STORE. It is a 50,000 word novel. It also had no reviews, (probably because folks are being kind). It received 110 downloads. I then offered my novel, THE WALKING MAN. It has 18 reviews, mostly five stars. It has 10 hours to go. It has received 550 downloads…
This is a small sample, but it would seem to indicate reviews are a lead factor in a free download decision. I think this means readers are not just stuffing their kindles with free ebooks just because they’re free. It appears readers are being selective, which would indicate many “buyers” intend to read their free downloads, or at least check them out. I think this is a good sign. Of course, there is Jan at Goodreads.com. She is downloading free ebooks at an amazing rate. With 7000 books on her “to-read” shelf, if Jan was welded to her reading chair today (and fed intravenously) she’d have to live to be 130 to clear out her library. God speed Jan.
Nov 17, 2012 @ 17:26:18
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the four books that you had written, however, after recomnending both The Jesus Twins and The General Store, they were no longer anywhere to be found?? They were my personal favorites, followed by Walking Man.
Nov 18, 2012 @ 11:55:44
Hi Dorothy.
I unpublished The Jesus Twin and The General Store because they were not selling – at all. And I could not even give them away. I did a 3-day giveaway on the Jesus Twin and got one download – not good.
I’m glad you like these books. I’m going to put them on the shelf for 6 months and then revisit them. I then my fix them or just re-publish them any way. Some times when you write a book you get to close to it and when you’re done you have no idea if it’s any good…
Now, I’m working on a book called Billy Grist. It should be my best book. I’d love it if you would beta read it when it’s done this spring.
Just drop me a note and I’ll make sure you get a copy.
Thanks for being a fan!
W4$