A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Do Giveaways Help Sell Books

 

It is Tuesday. Time to tall turkey. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.

Today's topic attempts to answer the questions, "Do giveaways help sell books?" You will find authors completely divided in belief and experience on this question. So, are giveaways worth it?

Yes.

• If they go to good quality (active) readers, who are likely to tell others about the book or to write a good review.
• If the book is the first in a series and you want stir up a desire for the remainder of the series. (Sort of like a loss leader at a grocery store.)
• If you have other related books, though not in a series, that might attract readers' attention, having read your giveaway.
• Yes, if there will be enough readers left among your target audience to buy the book if they do not win, or who may not even be involved with a giveaway.
• Yes, if it helps bring attention to podcasters, bloggers, and producers to the availability of your book. (A book giveaway on a national book site is more likely to do this than a book giveaway on your own site or through a retail outfit.)

No.

• If the only competition for the giveaway are readers who just want freebies. 
• If you reach only readers who are not actively involved in a reading community.
• If you reach only readers who never write reviews. (If course, you cannot restrict the book to winners who will write reviews although there are some giveaway sites that promise that all recipients must write reviews. Caveat emptor: generally, the sites do not enforce that promise.)
• If you give away more books, the cost of which you cannot reasonably balance against future or in-hand sales. 

The bottom line is that experience varies. Depending upon the nature of your book, to whom you give it away, whether it is part of a series, how well readers know your name, and more, book giveaways will (or will not) be a good marketing tool for you. Our experience has that generally giveaways do not pay for themselves, but there are always exceptions, just as there are in book signings. Want some detailed guidance? You can find it in a blog post by Jane Friedman, The Strategic Use od Book Giveaways.

Lesson for today's Tuesday talk: One should embrace book giveaways with eyes wide open. Do the math. Figure the probability. Then, decide.

 Read more posts about publishing HERE.

 (Book available from MSI Press LLC; discount of 25% with coupon code FF25;   currently on sale for $5, but that offer will not last long).