First, I enrolled in the KDP select program on Amazon. (You don't have to do this).
WHAT IS KDP?
This is the exclusive Kindle publishing that Amazon does. You can't sell your digital book anywhere else while it's enrolled in the KDP select program on Amazon. But there are some benefits. And you get 5 free giveaway days during each 90 day period you are in KDP.
Amazon says: "KDP Select is an optional program for you to reach even more readers and gives you the opportunity to earn more money. If you choose to make a book exclusive to the Kindle Store, which is a requirement during your book's enrollment in KDP Select, the book is eligible to be included in the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL) and you can earn a share of the fund based on how frequently the book is borrowed (click here to see how payments are calculated)."
https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A6KILDRNSCOBA
I DID A FIVE DAY GIVEAWAY
This time I decided to use all 5 free giveaway days together, using my KDP (Kindle Direct Program) days. First of all, there are a lot of great sites on the Internet where you can list your book when it is free.
I spent the whole week of spring break twittering and spamming links on Facebook and listing in all these websites. There's a lot to slog through and it's time consuming, so clear your schedule.
GET SOME REVIEWS:
Not always necessary, but get some reviews up on Amazon (or Goodreads) for your book before you do a promo. Some sites won't list you if you don't have reviews, but some will. So, don't let that stop you; it will boost your downloads, though.
NEWSLETTER:
I sent out a newsletter to the 200+ people in my newsletter list, announcing my free days.
You might want to work on building your twitter list before hand by searching for twitter users with similar interests and adding them. Often, if you add someone, they will add you back. I started with 7 twitter followers 6 months ago, now I have over 1200! Remember, if they don't add you back, they won't see anything that you post.
Use FOLLOWERWONK
https://followerwonk.com
Use "Search Twitter Bios". Enter in some keywords in your genre and start adding people. In the far column, they list "social authority"; higher is better. That means they use twitter more often and retweet.
SCHEDULE YOUR TWEETS
For your free book days, tweets should be sent out on the day that it's free, so people can click your link and download immediately.
Maybe you don't want to hang out all day tweeting. Get a free account on Hootsuite and schedule your tweets and even your Facebook posts in advance! This is a great tool.
https://hootsuite.com
Read my post on building a twitter following:
7 BASIC TWITTER TIPS: How to Tweet and Get more Followers. Retweets, mentions, hashtags, etc. http://meredithskye.weebly.com/blog.html
WHERE TO LIST FREE BOOKS:
When I do a giveaway, I have a list of places that I can promote my book on its free days. Also, have a list of links on hand to your book, website, goodreads, facebook a link to your cover (on photobucket or one of those sites), and your blog. Also have a bio on hand and a short and long description of your book.
Always read the rules for each site or group (in case I missed something). Some are exclusively for Kindle, others are for any format. Some are only for free books, some allow .99c books, others are for any book, but always check.
START 7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR GIVEAWAY.
Some of the sites require 7 days advance notice to do a listing or interview. Many of the internet sites will let you list your free book days in advance. A few of them only let you post on the day of your giveaway, so start early.
This is a great place to promote a free or discounted group. There are a *lot* of groups you can list in. Some have up to 15,000 people in the group! There are a lot where you can just "spam" links, posting your book as often as you like. Others have strict rules (only on Friday, only in the "files" section, only Kindle books, etc). Read the rules!
Some books are more author groups or more social interaction. Don't spam these groups, they will get irritated. However, you might be able to post your blog link or post or something that will get you some attention. And most will let you post a few book links, just read the group and get a feel for it.
I won't list the facebook groups here, as I have already listed them on a previous blog:
20 FACEBOOK GROUPS TO PROMOTE YOUR FREE (or .99c) EBOOK IN. http://meredithskye.weebly.com/1/post/2014/03/20-facebook-groups-to-promote-your-free-or-99c-e-book-in.html
A lot of the sites are free, but have the option to pay some extra to assure you a spot in their listing. There are only a few where you must pay. This time, I decided to pay a little here and there to get featured. It's really hard to say how much paying extra money helps compared to all the tweeting and posting on Facebook.
Some need to be listed seven days in advance. Some cannot be listed until the day of, so be sure to check the rules on each one.
MONEY I SPENT AND WHERE:
HOTZIPPY
http://hotzippy.net/feature-your-book.html
Has both: PixelScroll and Bargain E-book hunter.
I picked PixelScroll and paid $22.50. $15 for a listing and $7.50 for 2 day promo.
$15 guaranteed promo
--runs on the day you run your bargain
--require 72 minimum notice
--Nonfiction books less than 100 pages long are not accepted.
--Short stories and novellas are accepted if they are at least 32 pages long; however there is not much demand for them
EREADERUTOPIA
http://ereaderutopia.com
I paid $15 for a feature
--featured reader only $10
--A promotion can be any book priced $2.99 or below temporarily or permanently.
--Guaranteed Post: A Guaranteed post is $5.00 and means that your book is guaranteed to be included in one post on the date you select below.
--Featured Post: A Featured post is $15.00 and means that your book will be featured on its own post at the date and time selected. Time slots are first come, first served.
FREEBOOKSHUB
http://www.freebookshub.com/authors/
I paid $10 for 2 days.
--Book can be free or .99c when promoted
Donate $5 to add to the priority queue, email details to: [email protected]
GOODKINDLES
http://www.goodkindles.net/p/submit-your-book.html
I paid $8.
--Costs to list but it is permanent $8, $14, $20 (for various levels of promo)
--We have a large and rapidly growing traffic, closely targeted to kindle reader owners.
--Unlike other popular kindle book promotion websites, we do not require your book to be free or discounted to be featured
--they have 20,000 twitter followers
KINDLEBOOK PROMO
http://kindlebookpromos.luckycinda.com/?page_id=283
I paid $15 for 3-5 days of promo
--2 days $10
--$15 for 3 to 5 days
--their twitter, @penabook and @freebookpromos
FREEBOOKSY
http://www.freebooksy.com/editorial-submissions
I paid $100 for a feature. I had read a good recommendation about this site, so I thought I'd give it a try.
They will contact you via email to interview you; [email protected]
--$50 to feature
--no erotica
(Also has a Bargain booksy, pay $50 to promote a bargain book)
FREE BOOKS DAILY
http://www.freeebooksdaily.com/p/blog-page_17.html
I paid $7 to list and add an author spotlight
--$5 to list, up to 5 days.
--extra $2 for Author spotlight, up to 5 days.
--If books have reviews, average rating 4 out of 5
--most genres, no political non-fiction
--no erotica
--Recommend 60 days between same title promotions
AWESOMEGANG
http://awesomegang.com/submit-your-book/
I paid $10 for extra promo
Optional $10 promotion / 3 days on front page
--Get more exposure to your book by listing it on our front page for 2 days and guarantee a spot in our newsletters!
ASK DAVID
http://askdavid.com/
My book was already listed on Askdavid (I'd paid $15 for the package) so I didn't have to pay again. I really liked this site and its worth the money! Also, you can send 10 free tweets to their list of 26 K followers (about your book) out at any later time. I still have a few tweets left.
--$15 for a "supporter" package, takes 5 days to set up. It's good for 1 year.
--Your book is listed permanently on the site; we will create a book promotion page for the books you submit.
--we will send a tweet about your book to our ~26,400 followers on Twitter
--we will link to your website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest sites
--we will randomly promote your books in the section "Featured Books & Authors"
(or a small fee)
FKBOOKSANDTIPS
http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/for-authors/
--Must notify AT LEAST A WEEK before
--Have a paid promotion $100 at http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/for-authors/advertising-information/
PIXEL OF INK
Can list up to 30 days in advance. Free to list.
If your book is free:
http://www.pixelofink.com/sfkb/
If your book is .99c:
http://www.pixelofink.com/sskb/
INDIE BOOK OF THE DAY
http://indiebookoftheday.com/authors/free-on-kindle-listing/
--submit at least 2 days in advance
--we give priorities to authors who notify us in advance
--we give priority to books with good reviews and rating: (not below 3.5) or bad reviews
--no graphical erotic descriptions, pornography, graphic BDSM elements, explicit sex scenes, soft core porn, contain controversial subject matter, offensive to any race, gender, religion
FREE BOOK DUDE: FREE
http://www.freebookdude.com/p/list-your-free-book.html
(can get paid promotion/that is a separate page)
--No Erotica. (Contact [email protected])
--The same title can only be featured once every 30 (thirty) days.
FREE BOOK DUDE: PAID
http://www.freebookdude.com/p/promote-your-book-with-free-book-dude.html
This is a good site. I've paid before.
--The cost of this all inclusive package is $30 for one week (7 days)
--Extra weeks can be purchased for $20 per week.
EBOOKLISTER
http://ebooklister.net/submit.php
--require email confirmation
--at least a day before
--must have star rating of 3.0 or higher / or if it has no reviews
--If you are already listed, and just need to change the giveaway dates: please use our Contact Form. See more at: http://ebooklister.net/submit.php#sthash.mNxDKmXA.dpuf)
FRUGAL FREEBIES
http://www.frugal-freebies.com/p/submit-freebie.html
--While some sites do require reviews and ratings to accept your book, I think every author has the right to be discovered. I do not restrict which free books are posted, unless of objectionable content. If your book is Erotica be sure to check off "Yes", or it will not be posted.
--I post all books submitted on the Frugal-Freebies.com blog (1.8+ million views) - http://www.frugal-freebies.com/2013/05/free-books.html And I talk about the Free Book List on my Facebook fan page (29,000+ fans) - http://www.Facebook.com/FrugalFreebies - on my Google+ page - https://plus.google.com/b/105665763653552451815/105665763653552451815 - and on my Pinterest page - http://pinterest.com/carbsandfat/book-bargains-freebies/
ONE HUNDRED FREE BOOKS
http://onehundredfreebooks.com/author-free-kindle-book-submission.html
can buy Impressions for $ 3 or 4
BOOKDAILY
http://www.bookdaily.com
Free listings and paid promos
KINDLEMOJO
http://www.kindlemojo.com/contact-info/
--start a profile
--wait for account approval. then can do shoutouts
BOOKGOODIES
http://bookgoodies.com/submit-your-free-kindle-days/
I've used this before. It's a good site. Didn't pay this time.
--to list free days, no cost
--go back and do author interview
--use this form to submit free days and buy some paid promo:
--$10 for one day
--$15 for two days, etc.
K-BOARDS
http://www.kboards.com/
This is a huge message board for Kindle. It's overwhelming (and time consuming) to set up, but a great place to promote you book. And free! You have to get an account and there are a lot of rules but a lot of people go there.
AUTHOR MARKETING CLUB
http://authormarketingclub.com/members/submit-your-book/
One of the best sites when it comes to book promotions. I highly encourage you to become a member and post on the forum. There is good information over there.
--costs to become a member
--they have links to other sites, nowhere to list it on their site?
SCIFI KINDLE
http://scifikindle.com/scifi-author-well-publicize-for-you/
--list your free book
--can opt to give away unlimited or 10 free books
EREADERNEWSTODAY
http://ereadernewstoday.com/ent-free-book-submissions/
--The books that will be posted will be the books with the highest ratings and the most reviews. If your book has a small number of reviews (0 – 3) or low ratings (below 4.0) it will not be posted.
--Don't send donation until you know the book will be listed.
--at least 3 days in advance
ADDICTED TO BOOKS
http://addictedtoebooks.com/free
Also please only post books that are free today. (You may post after 9pm the night before, but this section is for books that are free right now, not upcoming free books.)
--must have an account
--post as comment
--get to upload cover
ADDICTED TO BOOKS FB PAGE: (should be member of their website?)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addicted-to-eBookscom/277297772316389
AMAZON AUTHOR DISCUSSION BOARD:
http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_t_mdb_f?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S
Post your free book days and more. I should use this more—there are all sorts of threads you can post in, including .99c Ebooks. Check it out.
MEDIABISTRO
http://www.mediabistro.com/appnewser/category/ebook-news
--Sent them an "anonymous tip
BOOK GOODIES BOARD:
http://bookgoodies.com/bgconnect/
Submit your free book on the day of.
WORLD LITERARY CAFE
http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/content
go to Free book page for that day, upload as comment
SNICKSLIST:
http://snickslist.com/books/place-ad/
--only place ad on the day of
--no erotica
COST TO POST:
FLURRIES OF WORDS:
http://flurriesofwords.blogspot.co.uk/p/book-advertising.html
Can list either free books or books that cost .99c and up
--$5 donation to list free book days
--$3 donation to list a permanently free .99c book, per book per day.
--$3 per day for New Release books
EBOOKSHABIT
http://ebookshabit.com/for-authors/
--Guaranteed placement $10
--Book of the day $20
--Must have 3 reviews when submitted
—--f you don't pay, listing isn't guaranteed
KINDLE NATION DAILY
Sponsored ad page. This one is highly recommended but pricy.
http://indie.kindlenationdaily.com/?page_id=642
--From $99 up
--Highly recommended
FREEBOOKSY
http://freebooksy.com/
--COST $50 or $100
SWEET FREE BOOKS
http://sweetfreebooks.com/advertise/
I've heard good things about this newsletter; a friend recommended it. However, I didn't see a lot of scifi or fantasy in their newsletter. Looking at it now, I see they do have a category for that. Maybe I will try it next time.
--Promote your book to our email subscribers, site visitors, and Twitter network of over 230,000 followers
--For a limited time, all listings for all genres are only $5.00!
Priority is given to books listed as free, but we will consider books listed at 99¢.
--We also give preference to books that are currently at their “best price”. Meaning if you’ve recently offered your book for free, it would be a hard sell for us to recommend it as “discounted” if it is currently priced at 99¢.
--If you are a new author (meaning you began publishing within the last year or so) with less than 5 reviews, we recommend listing your book in the “New Authors” section.
WHIZBUZZ
http://www.derekhaines.ch/whizbuzz/submit-your-book/
Looks good, but costs.
--COST $49 for a year.
BOOKBOZO
http://www.bookbozo.com/
--Cost $47/month
If you are on a tight budget, the SEO/Book Booster/Social Media service is only $47 a month right now and is very powerful over a longer period of time such as three or more months. The idea behind SEO is that Amazon is a search engine, and is similar to the way Google was ten years ago. There is a lot of science to ranking on Amazon, and we have tools to analyze the SEO statistics surrounding your book.
LINKS TO OTHER ARTICLES:
Want to try even more sites? Here are some other lists:
AUTHOR E.M.S
http://www.authorems.com/promotion/online-promotion/
Has a great list of websites; not sure I got all the way through their list.
THE GODS OF GARRAN
Once, the gods, called Borrai, walked among the people of Garran. Then invaders came from the sky and killed the gods--destroying all who opposed them. The tribesmen of Garran must revive the ancient powers of the Borrai to fight an oppressive and advanced alien race--or live as slaves.
U.S. http://amzn.com/B00FGLUI00
U.K. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FGLUI00
CANADA http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00FGLUI00
GERMANY/AUSRIA http://www.amazon.de/dp/B00FGLUI00
INDIA: http://www.amazon.in/dp/B00FGLUI00
AUSTRALIA: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00FGLUI00