posted
After reading about some methods of advertising books, I became interested in finding out how effective these various methods of advertising really are. While some of these advertising methods are used by authors to maintain buyers, I'm currently only interested in the most effective ways to get people to buy your books in the first place. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to fill this out.
(Copy and paste these questions into your reply form, then write your reply after each question.)
For the following questions, please answer:Frequently, Sometimes, Rarely, or Never.
How frequently have you bought a FICTION book from an author that you're never bought a book from in the past because...
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? 2) on TV? 3) on an agent blog? 4) in an online magazine? 5) in a print magazine? 6) in the newspaper?
You saw an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? 8) on TV 9) on a non-bookstore website? 10) in a print magazine? 11) in a print book catalog? 12) in the newspaper?
13) You first read a book by the author at the library 14) A friend recommended the book 15) Read a book review about it (online) 16) Read a book review about it (print) 17) You bought it at an airport 18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it 19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book 20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it 22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out 23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention 24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention 25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention 26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book 28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result 29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it
30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before.
Please answer the following questions:Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? 32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? 33) You attended a book launch party? 34) You have a book club membership? 35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked?
Thanks for taking the time to answer this survey!
[This message has been edited by DebbieKW (edited October 10, 2007).]
posted
I figured I ought to be the first person to answer this survey. You know, to set a good example.
How frequently have you bought a FICTION book from an author that you're never bought a book from in the past because...
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? Frequently
2) on TV? Never
3) on an agent blog? Never, but I might in the future
4) in an online magazine? Never
5) in a print magazine? Never
6) in the newspaper? Never
You heard or saw an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? Never
8) on TV Never
9) on a non-bookstore website? Never
10) in a print magazine? Never
11) in a print book catalog? Frequently
12) in the newspaper? Never
13) You first read a book by the author at the library Sometimes
14) A friend recommended the book Sometimes
15) Read a book review about it (online) Rarely
16) Read a book review about it (print) Never
17) You bought it at an airport Never
18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it Never
19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book Never
20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book Never
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it Never
22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out Not that I'm aware of, though I have seen them.
23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention Frequently
24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention Frequently
25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention Never, though I definately do notice them.
26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention Never, though I definately do notice them.
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book Sometimes
28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result Rarely
29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it Rarely
30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before. As I created this survey, obviously I can't think of any other.
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? No
32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? No
33) You attended a book launch party? No
34) You have a book club membership? No
35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked? Yup. Umph, that is, "Yes."
posted
How frequently have you bought a FICTION book from an author that you're never bought a book from in the past because...
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? Never
2) on TV? Never
3) on an agent blog? Never
4) in an online magazine? Never
5) in a print magazine? Never
6) in the newspaper? Never
You heard or saw an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? Never
8) on TV Never
9) on a non-bookstore website? Never
10) in a print magazine? Never
11) in a print book catalog? Never
12) in the newspaper? Never
13) You first read a book by the author at the library Frequently
14) A friend recommended the book Sometimes
15) Read a book review about it (online) Never
16) Read a book review about it (print) Never
17) You bought it at an airport Never
18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it Never
19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book Never
20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book Never
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it Never
22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out Never
23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention Sometimes
24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention Frequently
25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention Never
26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention Never
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book Sometimes
28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result Sometimes
29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it Sometimes
30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before. Can't think of any
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? No
32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? No
33) You attended a book launch party? No
34) You have a book club membership? In the past, yes
35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked? No
posted
For the following questions, please answer: Frequently, Sometimes, Rarely, or Never.
How frequently have you bought a FICTION book from an author that you're never bought a book from in the past because...
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? Never.
2) on TV? Never.
3) on an agent blog? Never.
4) in an online magazine? Never.
5) in a print magazine? Never.
6) in the newspaper? Never.
You saw an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? Never (hard to see an ad on the radio,unless someone placed it there)
8) on TV Never.
9) on a website? Sometimes.
10) in a print magazine? Never.
11) in a print book catalog? Never.
12) in the newspaper? Never.
13) You first read a book by the author at the library Sometimes.
14) A friend recommended the book Frequently.
15) Read a book review about it (online) Sometimes.
16) Read a book review about it (print) Rarely.
17) You bought it at an airport Never.
18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it Never.
19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book Never.
20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book Never.
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it Never.
22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out Never.
23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention Sometimes
24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention Sometimes
25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention Rarely
26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention Rarely
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book Rarely
28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result Rarely
29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it Sometimes
30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before. Other authors, such as Orson Scott Card, mentions them in a review and peaks my interest, and going to a store and reading the synopsis and the first few paragraph, it grabs me...
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? No 32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? No 33) You attended a book launch party? No 34) You have a book club membership? No 35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked? No
posted
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? sometimes 2) on TV? never 3) on an agent blog? never 4) in an online magazine? never 5) in a print magazine? rarely 6) in the newspaper? never You saw an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? never 8) on TV never 9) on a non-bookstore website? never 10) in a print magazine? sometimes 11) in a print book catalog? sometimes 12) in the newspaper? never 13) You first read a book by the author at the library -- often 14) A friend recommended the book -- often 15) Read a book review about it (online) -- not a review, but a discussion here on Hatrack -- sometimes 16) Read a book review about it (print) rarely 17) You bought it at an airport -- sigh, never, don't get to fly anywhere these days 18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it -- never 19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book -- never happened to me 20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book -- rarely While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it -- sometimes 22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out -- never 23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention -- lots of times 24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention -- often 25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention -- rarely -- usually happens when I am familiat with the author as in I'm going to buy the new Robert Parker novel about Spenser as soon as I see it and it will be in one of those dumps by the door 26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention -- sometimes While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book -- very, very rarely 28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result -- never 29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it -- rarely 30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before.
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No. Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because: 31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? -- no 32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? -- no 33) You attended a book launch party? -- no 34) You have a book club membership? -- yes 35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked -- no
[This message has been edited by arriki (edited October 10, 2007).]
It has great information on novel marketing from a published author's point of view.
One second and I'll cut and paste your questions and answer them.
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? - Never 2) on TV? - NEVER 3) on an agent blog? - Sometimes 4) in an online magazine? - Rarely 5) in a print magazine? - Never 6) in the newspaper? - Never
You saw an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? - Never 8) on TV - Never 9) on a non-bookstore website? - Rarely 10) in a print magazine? - Never 11) in a print book catalog? - Never 12) in the newspaper? - Never
13) You first read a book by the author at the library - Rarely 14) A friend recommended the book - Frequently 15) Read a book review about it (online) - Sometimes 16) Read a book review about it (print) - Rarely 17) You bought it at an airport - Rarely 18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it - Never 19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book - Never 20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book - Rarely
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it - Never 22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out - Rarely 23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention - Sometimes 24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention - Rarely 25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention - Rarely 26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention - Rarely
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book - Occasionally 28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result - Occasionally 29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it - Rarely
30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before.
I am most likely to buy a book now if I have read part of it (or all of previous books somewhere like Baen's Free Library) online.
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? - no 32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? - yes 33) You attended a book launch party? - yes 34) You have a book club membership? - never 35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked? - YES
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited October 10, 2007).]
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited October 10, 2007).]
posted
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? No 2) on TV? No 3) on an agent blog? No 4) in an online magazine? No 5) in a print magazine? Rarely 6) in the newspaper? No
You saw[/heard ] an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? No 8) on TV No 9) on a non-bookstore website?No 10) in a print magazine? Rarely 11) in a print book catalog? No 12) in the newspaper? No
13) You first read a book by the author at the library No 14) A friend recommended the book Sometimes 15) Read a book review about it (online) Rarely 16) Read a book review about it (print) Rarely 17) You bought it at an airport No 18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it No 19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book No 20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book No
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it Never 22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out No 23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention Rarely 24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention Rarely 25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention Rarely 26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention Rarely
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book Rarely 28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result No 29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it No
30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before. Sorry. Advestising methods rarely work.
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? No 32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? No 33) You attended a book launch party? No 34) You have a book club membership? Yeah, I've been suckered into a few of those.(books I didn't order) But, not any more. 35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked? Most often of the choices.
I decide if I want to read a book (by a new author) based on a number of things: 1)The Cover (I know, your not supposed to judge, but I've found the cheaper/cheesier covers are a reflection of the contents. Though, if I venture to pick it up, a closer inspection of the artwork won't make the decision, it only leads to):
2)The Hook (The actual Blurb on the back of book/ or inside of the dust jacket. If it strikes a chord it will lead me to):
3)The Excerpt (The sample they print in the front of paperbacks/ or the first page or three of a hardback. Then I can decide whether the prose meets my tastes or not.) This will lead to purchase or dismissal.
If a friend recommends a book, I will read it--ar at least part of it. If an author I like recommends a book, likewise, I'll check it out. Both of these are on the "Burn me once" method. If I like the book, I 'm apt to trust said friend's/author's recommendations. I found George R. R. Martin's recommendations reliable (agreeable with my tastes), but this is not true of Bernard Cornwell (the one book I read on his recommendation: "This is the greatest Civil War book I've ever read" was not the greatest anything. It wasn't atrocious, but it was slow moving and the action was stagnant.)
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited October 10, 2007).]
posted
How frequently have you bought a FICTION book from an author that you're never bought a book from in the past because...
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? NEVER 2) on TV? NEVER 3) on an agent blog? NEVER 4) in an online magazine? NEVER 5) in a print magazine? NEVER 6) in the newspaper? NEVER
You saw an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? NEVER 8) on TV NEVER 9) on a non-bookstore website? SOMETIMES 10) in a print magazine? NEVER 11) in a print book catalog? NEVER 12) in the newspaper? RARELY
13) You first read a book by the author at the library SOMETIMES 14) A friend recommended the book SOMETIMES 15) Read a book review about it (online) SOMETIMES 16) Read a book review about it (print) RARELY 17) You bought it at an airport NEVER 18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it NEVER 19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book NEVER 20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book NEVER
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it RARELY 22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out RARELY 23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention FREQUENTLY 24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention FREQUENTLY 25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention SOMETIMES 26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention FREQUENTLY
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book RARELY 28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result NEVER 29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it RARELY
30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before.
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? NO 32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? NO 33) You attended a book launch party? NO 34) You have a book club membership? YES 35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked? NO
posted
How frequently have you bought a FICTION book from an author that you're never bought a book from in the past because...
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? Sometimes 2) on TV? Sometimes 3) on an agent blog? Rarely 4) in an online magazine? Never 5) in a print magazine? Sometimes 6) in the newspaper? Sometimes
You saw/heard an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? rarely 8) on TV sometimes 9) on a non-bookstore website? sometimes 10) in a print magazine? rarely 11) in a print book catalog? sometimes 12) in the newspaper? sometimes
13) You first read a book by the author at the library frequently 14) A friend recommended the book frequently 15) Read a book review about it (online) frequently 16) Read a book review about it (print) sometimes 17) You bought it at an airport never 18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it never 19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book rarely 20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book sometimes
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it never 22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out sometimes 23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention frequently 24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention frequently 25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention sometimes 26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention sometimes
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book never 28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result sometimes 29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it sometimes 30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before.
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? yes 32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? yes 33) You attended a book launch party? no 34) You have a book club membership? no 35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked? yes!
posted
For the following questions, please answer: Frequently, Sometimes, Rarely, or Never.
How frequently have you bought a FICTION book from an author that you're never bought a book from in the past because...
You looked for the book after you heard or read an interview with author: 1) on the radio? Never 2) on TV? Never 3) on an agent blog? Never 4) in an online magazine? Never 5) in a print magazine? Sometimes 6) in the newspaper? Rarely
You saw an ad for the book: 7) on the radio? Never 8) on TV Never 9) on a non-bookstore website? Sometimes 10) in a print magazine? Sometimes 11) in a print book catalog? Never 12) in the newspaper? Never
13) You first read a book by the author at the library - Often 14) A friend recommended the book - Often 15) Read a book review about it (online) - Sometimes 16) Read a book review about it (print) - Sometimes 17) You bought it at an airport - Never 18) Someone gave you a bookmark advertising it - Never 19) You won a free book in a contest and decided to buy the next book - Never 20) You saw the author at a convention and decided to buy their book - Never
While in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you bought the book because: 21) The bookstore employ recommended it - Never 22) A self talker (small color ad attached to edge of bookshelf) pointed it out - Never 23) The book was face out and the cover (or title) caught your attention - Often 24) The book was spine-out, but the title caught your attention - Sometimes 25) The book was in a cardboard display stand and caught your attention - Sometimes 26) The book was at the front of store (or other prime placement not covered above) and caught your attention - Often
While at an online bookstore: 27) The book was displayed as one you might like while you were checking out another book - Often 28) You were searching for another book, but this book came up as a search result - Sometimes 29) You browsed through the books in a category and saw it - Often
30) Name any other methods of advertising that have caused you to frequently or sometimes buy a book from an author you haven't bought from before. If an author I enjoy has mentioned it, I'll usually take a peek.
Please answer the following questions: Yes or No.
Now, in regards to all the books you buy (both fiction and non-fiction), have you ever bought a book that you normally wouldn't have because:
31) You saw that the book was autographed by the author? No 32) The author was present at bookstore for book signing? No 33) You attended a book launch party? Yes 34) You have a book club membership? No 35) (Online) You were able to read the first chapter of the book and got hooked? Yes
quote:I wonder if you are acquainted with J. A. Konrath's blog on this subject?
Yes, I've read that post and many others on Konrath's blog, but I don't necessarily agree that Konrath's "success" methods will work for all people. For example, most authors seem to say that book signings do sell books, but they don't think there is enough profit in it to justify the time and expense. I couldn't take off on a book tour even if I wanted to because I currently have a farm that I run. I'm also not a very outgoing person and know from my experiences hand-selling my non-fiction book/CDs that traveling to horse fairs and conventions doesn't make me a profit. (It breaks about even if I count time involved.)
Also, Konrath's approaches tend to take a substantial amount of time away from writing the actual books. Yet, from talking with published fantasy writers and reading information on the web, it seems like the best bet for the author to sell books is (somewhat obviously) to write more good books as quickly as possible.
I was hoping to get a good idea of which of these many approaches I've read about work best for the time and money put into them. The information I've received so far is a big help (thanks everyone who has responded!), but I'll need something like 50-100 responses to even hope for a statistically accurate poll. More people, please help?
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