Lately, my thoughts have wandered into the murky waters of sales.
The other day, my husband and I were talking (we do that sometimes). He’d just finished reading an ARC of my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, and was excited about the story. So he asked a question most writers ask before publication.
How can we get your book out there?
My brilliant answer?
Word of mouth.
I know. Revolutionary thinking.
But seriously. Word of mouth is huge when it comes to generating a buzz.
Because let’s say my friend Sherrinda reads the book in Texas and she really likes it, so she talks to her friends and family. And my friend Jill reads it in Michigan and she really likes it, so she talks to her friends and family. And my friend Jenny reads it in Georgia and she really likes it, so she talks to her friends and family. And…you get the picture.
Then hubby asked another question.
How often does the buzz lead to actual sales?
My brilliant answer?
I have no clue. Because really, it’s impossible to quantify or measure. But I do know that buzz is a good thing. In fact, I recently emailed Jody Hedlund about the subject and she said this:
The more people we can get “talking” about our books, the more interest we potentially generate. And it often takes multiple times of seeing/hearing about a book before someone will actually decide to make the purchase.
What prompts a person to talk about a book? I can only speak for myself.
I buzz about books based on two criteria:
- How much I like the story
- How much I like the author
There. That’s it.
If I find a book that I absolutely love. I mean, stay-up-until-three-in-the-morning love. And on top of that, the author is someone I like. Well then, that is a magical combination. Give me that combination and I will buzz, buzz, buzz like a dutiful worker bee.
How we turn that buzz into actual sales is slightly more mysterious. Very much beyond our realm of control. So what’s a writer to do?
Focus on the things we can control.
- Write the absolute best story we can write
- Be likable (translation: be real and be nice)
There. That’s it.
Maybe not the magic key so many of us wish existed. But a pretty good place to start.
Let’s Talk: What leads you to buy a book? Not just talk about it or recommend it. Not just review it or be an influencer. But what prompts you to make a purchase?
And you are soooo likable, Katie! And you know I will definitely be buzzing about your debut novel. I think you are right, word of mouth is really how books get bought. It just takes a great story to get people talking!
I can’t wait to see what God is going to do with your story!
Be likable?! Aw man, I thought that just applied to my characters. 🙂
I’m ready to be a buzzy bee and buzz the buzz for ya. 😉
Ouch! This hurts to think about because my family lives on a small income, and there are very very few books that I just buy. A lot I get through the library. So in order to buy a book, a personal connection to the author helps. Now. Since I know some writers.
When I was in reader-only world, something as simple as a great opening chapter and jacket copy that really caught my attention. And a recommendation from friends would always help. But a lot of times I’d borrow that first book by an author I hadn’t read before, then if the first book was great, I’d buy the next.
If I’ve read an author that I like I’ll go back to their books.
Since I’ve had my KIndle & read a lot of free books if it’s one I like I’ll go buy more from that author.
Love to try new authors especially one I’ve met on FB & gotten to know.
And I do read the interviews on Amazon, don’t alway go by them but they help.
These comments are way more interesting than my post! They’ve been super fun to read. Thanks for joining in the conversation, everyone! (See, this is a moment where I get the overwhelming urge to use y’all, only no part of me is Southern)
I will definitely buy a book by an author whose books I’ve already read and loved, even if I don’t know anything about them personally.
Getting to know authors on a more personal level is a relatively new experience for me (Facebook & Twitter), but that is now an influencing factor when it comes to giving an author whose work I’ve never read a chance. I’m also willing to pick up a book based on a reference from a friend whose taste I know is similar to mine.
SInce the release of my first novel in March, I have seen buzz at work. I did a LOT of legwork before my release to make sure people knew about it, then once the book released things just seemed to move forward from there. I am not sure how much of all the work I did resulted in sales, but I do know that a ton of people were talking about it for a long time. And then there was kind of a lull. And now it’s picking back up. I don’t think there is a magic pill to swallow unfortunately, but it sounds like you’re doing all the right things, Katie! I will buy a book if I know the author, or if it comes recommended by someone I trust. I will usually scan my favorite blogger buddies who review books before I go ahead and choose the next book on my TBR list!
oh! I also think it is important to me to find out a bit about the author – why they wrote the book? Or why the called it by a certain title. It connects me to them in a more profound way. Kinda like knowing a celebrity by osmosis! 🙂
I have never been a good book buyer because my library card gets all the mileage. But since I have started getting to know authors on blogs (like this one) I have started to pay cash for books. So what would make me do that?
1. a person I like!!!!!
2. a recommendation – more than one
3. a cover I like!!!!
Hi, Katie – I loved this entry. “Buzz” is such a nebulous thing but I agree with both your take and Jody’s on “why we buzz.” And, yes, it will take me seeing a book on a display, or hearing someone (or several someones) talking about it repeatedly to get me to make the purchase. If I know the author personally, I’ll probably make the decision faster. But if the story and/or the author knocks my socks off, I’ll buzz! Funny thing though: occasionally if someone buzzes TOO MUCH, I become skeptical. I guess there’s a fine line between “buzzing” and “gushing.”
Word of mouth for sure! If someone I trust says honestly, “I LOVED that book!” and it’s in the genre I love to read, I will buy it or try to find a way to get my hands on it. OR, if several someones are buzzing about the book and it’s a genre I love, I will definitely check it out and maybe buy it.
Why do I buy a book?
1. Favorite author
2. Recommended author
3. Book’s on sale so hey, why not? I’ll try this new author
And yes, I talk up the books and authors I like. I give the books as gifts. I buy extra copies of the books. post about them on FB and Twitter and blog about them … buzz, buzz, buzz …
I like what you said here, Katie. Falling in love with the book is great and if I fall in love with the author, I can’t help but share my excitement. I do that the most through my book reviews, because I know taste in fiction is subjective and I don’t want to cram a book down someone’s throat. But I try to spread the word about their book on Twitter or Facebook or with other readers.
I think being real and approachable in this day in age is HUGE for authors. Really, really huge. Great post, Katie! Can’t wait to read that book. 😀
If a book touches my heart, I will talk about it.
Subject matter for non-fiction books. I LOVE history. For fiction, since I am an artist and a visual person, the cover matters to me.
An intriguing cover gets me to pick up the book and turn it over to read the synopsis on the back cover everytime!
Great post! Thanks for the encouragement.
Blessings,
Ruth
I’ll often buy books by my favorite authors. But if someone recommends a book to me, I love to read fiction by new authors. I’ve discovered some real gems that way 🙂
I agree that word of mouth is key. When I find a book that I truly love, I can’t help but tell my friends about it. Particularly my critique partners–we love to share great fiction that challenges us as writers.
I start out with one of three criteria.
(a) Someone recommended the book to me
(b) I like the author (i.e. I’ve gotten to know them through social media/blogging and they’re genuinely nice or I’m hooked on their blog)
(c) The premise makes me go “ooo”
Any one of those will be enough to make me read a sample of the first few chapters. In the end though, it all comes down to those sample chapters because time and money are in short supply for me.
If I don’t like the sample chapters, I won’t buy the book. If I do like the sample, I will definitely buy it (though sometimes not immediately).
You are real, and you are nice, Katie. In fact you’re really nice! I’m ready to buzz loudly and often when your book releases. =)
I totally agree, Katie. An author I know and trust and a story that sounds interesting. A lot of times I’ll try out an author at the library and then if I like him/her, I’ll make the purchase.
You is sooooo likable!
A compelling unique story and the author.
Yup, you nailed the two biggies for me.
~ Wendy
I almost always purchase books of blogger friends within reason unless it’s something I just don’t read. But outside of that, it all comes down the premise and the opening pages. But I have to have heard of it first.
I have to love the potential greatness of the story. And I don’t mean a story that’s going to be great in the eyes of critics. For me to whip out my plastic, I have to know I’m buying a wonderful story that’s going to capture ME and not let go until the last page.
Interesting question, considering I am a huge library-goer and don’t often buy new books. I mostly purchase from thrift stores and library book sales (where, for $5, you can get as many books fit into a brown paper bag). However, I’ll definitely buy from authors I like and have gotten to know through their blogs. I’ll also whip out the green stuff or plastic for a new release of an already-beloved author. Or, when I’ve read a library book that I loved and I just know I’ll read it again and again. (So guess what? Story trumps all! :D)
I wish I was better at writing book reviews, but the perfectionist in me gets frustrated when I can’t convey the excitement and love I felt for a story through a review. But I can informally chat up a book to my friends and family like it’s nobody’s business! I’m like an annoying sales person that way.
the subject matter, for one. anything psychological in nature will do. 🙂
the other is that i’ve already read a book from that particular author and loved, loved, loved it.