Veteran's Day "Gone, but not forgotten" promotion: call for submissions

[Vinny OHare]

Next year we will do better. Getting 5k in visits to a brand new page isn't too shabby at all. Looks like next year we have a focus with Facebook and Twitter and focus less on G+ and Linkedin or maybe adjust strategies for those. My mind is full of ideas that can help for next year. I am thinking we need a permanent page on each author sites that can be optimized now and lead to one place by changing a link on that page every year to where the authors are. Just a thought.     

[Wayne Stinnett]

That's some really good data, Pete. Over 4K retailer link clicks and 5K visits? That's phenomenal in the short time we had to put it together and market it. I agree with Vinny, next year we'll do far better. We should start planning in early October, maybe limit it to 20 or 30 submissions for greater effect. With Facebook being the largest referrer, we should think about putting some money together to do paid Facebook blasts. If each book submitted paid a flat dollar amount and all of that was used for advertising, the results will be much better.

[susan_illene]

I agree with the others that Pete did a fantastic job putting this fundraiser together, especially under the time constraints.  Great work, Pete!

For sales, it looks like some are still coming in for me.  B&N is reporting late so a sale on Darkness Haunts just showed up for yesterday.  I'm going to wait until tomorrow just to be safe before tallying the totals and donating.  It's very rare I see anything new once 24 hours have passed from the date.

About Facebook ads, I did spend $10 to boost the announcement on my author page.  It linked to my website and the details I'd posted there. I think it helped get more eyes on the fundraiser.  Certainly something to consider for next year.

[Gail Hart]

I agree - considering this was put together so late (only a week in advance), the results were very satisfactory! I'll be happy to participate again next year, and hopefully my sales will be better.

Gail

[Piers Platt]

I netted 5 sales...I haven't been in this game long enough to know why, but my sales have been slumping something awful since August.  KU effect?  Who knows.  Anyway, I'm going to donate more than that!

Concur with all of the above sentiments - would love to participate next year (if you'll have me), will pitch in on any pooled ad funds, and most of all, big props to Pete for the idea and hard work.  Was nice to be part of a team promoting OUR books, and for good causes, as well.

[john podlaski]

Unfortunately, Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel did not perform as well as expected for the Veteran's Day event - selling only 5 copies with royalties less than $15.  As a result, I will pledge a total of $50 to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 154.  As I understand it, I'm to write / mail a check for this amount and scan the receipt - posting it here?  I wish we could have done better.  Let me know when planning another similar event.  Thanks!

[ThePete]

Got a new thread for the AAR: http://www.kboards.com/index.php?topic=200766.msg2809014#msg2809014

Don't pull your punches! We need to go over this event with a fine-tooth comb for next year. I'd like to add Memorial Day to the calendar as well.
If you don't want to say something publicly, just shoot me a PM. After pledging your money and investing your time, I think everyone's earned the right to vent if they need to! I won't take it personally.

[CoraBuhlert]

Visits by country:
1) USA (98%)
2) Canada
3) Germany (interesting)
4) UK

The German visitors might have been partly due to me, since I tweeted/+1/tsued your promotion and also included it in the Speculative Fiction Showcase round-up. And since you're in Germany as well, the stats might also have counted your own visits to your own site.

[ThePete]

Just a head's up, we raised $2,700.34 for veteran's charities so far. There are still a few stragglers that haven't reported yet, but all the authors of the most heavily bought books have sent their confirmation numbers. Quiet a few of them are rounding up their donations to the nearest $100.

Great job everyone!

[Robert Stanek]

Awesome! Great to see such a big success for the first time out.

[Robert Stanek]

Just a head's up, we raised $2,700.34 for veteran's charities so far. There are still a few stragglers that haven't reported yet, but all the authors of the most heavily bought books have sent their confirmation numbers. Quiet a few of them are rounding up their donations to the nearest $100.

Great job everyone!

I see the number is still going up. Fantastic to see!