PROMOTION RESULTS

As I mentioned earlier, I had several book listed for free last week—the promotion running the full five days in a row.

My earlier experience with giveaways warned me I was going about this one in the most inefficient manner, but I had no choice. (I'd let the matter go too long before acting.)

This time, HOT STATUS was downloaded most on the first day: 67.6%. The combined first and second day was 82.8%. First three days: 91%. Limiting the free period to one or two days is indicated, once again—assuming the goal is to maximize the number of downloads. (And what else could it be, really?)

For THE EXPLODING WIZARD the total numbers were not quite one fourth the total of HOT STATUS. I think this indicates the relative percentage of interest between an adult thriller and a middle-grade chapter book.

Maybe. Another source of difference went uncollected. I sent both books to six promotion sites this time, but failed to check the sites to see which book made it to the Web. In the past, the adult book was posted more often than the kid's book.

For WIZARD, the percentages were: 41.7% for the first day, 61.1% for days one and two, and 72.2% for the first three days. Even if the book saw less promotion than the thriller, it appears folks are reluctant to select a free kid's book—not only in total numbers, but over time. For some reason it takes readers longer to give in and download the thing. Apparently.

The third book (KINDLE CREATION FOR CONTROL FREAKS) proved an interesting case. It was only free for one day, and I set up NO promotions for this one—a test of its stealth appeal.

In its one day it was downloaded 96% as much as HOT STATUS on its best day (Day One), despite the lack of promotion.

And I doubt restraint in promotion was the cause of this relative success.

It could be the nature of the book (non-fiction) put it more in demand than just another novel. I think, in general, non-fiction outsells fiction (at least, outside of the world of ebooks).

Might also be the price differential.

HOT STATUS has always only been sold at 99 cents (or for free). KINDLE CREATION was sitting at $2.99 before (and after) the freebie period. Perhaps folks perceived it as the superior bargain and went for it.

Even though it was not promoted.

(To be fair, I never checked to see if HOT STATUS was promoted at all—but it probably was.)

Maybe there was pent-up demand for KINDLE CREATION, folks visiting the details page repeatedly but unable to pull the trigger on the book because of its price. (Though I have had sales at the list price.) During its unannounced free period (well, it was announced HERE ) enough shoppers happened by (in hopes the price had fallen?) to grab the book for free. Their lucky day...

This brings up the haunting question: Is it possible to thwart sales for a book by pricing it too low?

Smashwords has released data showing their products make the most money in the three to four dollar range, with additional (lower) peaks in several (mostly ) higher zones. The lowest earning rate is in the one to two dollar range: less than 21% as lucrative as the highest rate. Since the royalty rate is fixed throughout (unlike Kindle), these numbers are not skewed by the royalty break point or delivery fees. In fact, books appear to sell twice as many copies at $3.50 as they do at $1.50.

Unfortunately, these data are for the complete range of books, not the same book sold at various prices. Perhaps the more desirable books are simply priced higher than lesser works. Or maybe better selling authors realize they can climb out of the pricing basement and still sell books; and in this case, even more books.

Author Dave Hendricks utilizes this pricing plan: All new books go up at 99 cents until they garner ten reviews. He then raises the price to the lowest available for a 70% royalty ($2.99). After that he bumps the price a dollar every two to four weeks, stopping only when the book's profits level off.

No freebies for him, apparently.

It will be interesting to see how the new Countdown promotion affects the number of freebies in the Kindle market.