Author Topic: My Book Bazaar thread is dead, to begin with. (Read 2087 times) Tweet

Daniel Pyle · « **on:** December 20, 2010, 11:58:29 AM »

There is no doubt whatever about that.

I tried to hand out three copies of Dismember over in the Bazaar today as a fun Christmas giveaway and had only one taker. I don't know if I hit a weird lull in reader traffic or what, but the thread is off the first page now and I doubt anyone else will see it before Christmas. If anyone here would like a copy, speak up; I want to give out two more. Don't make me say, "Bah, humbug!"

foreverjuly · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2010, 12:05:07 PM »

I don't think your experience in the bazaar is atypical. I think if you get one person to take you up on an offer you're doing well. Sorry to hear things didn't work out the way you'd planned.

Gerald · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2010, 12:09:09 PM »

Hi Daniel

I've just read the info, and it sounds like my sort of book. Could I have a copy please?

SuzanneTyrpak · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2010, 12:17:16 PM »

Me! Me! I want a copy!

Daniel Pyle · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2010, 12:25:48 PM »

Quote from: foreverjuly on December 20, 2010, 12:05:07 PM

I don't think your experience in the bazaar is atypical. I think if you get one person to take you up on an offer you're doing well. Sorry to hear things didn't work out the way you'd planned.

No biggie. I've never had much luck with giveaways (except my Goodreads giveaways, which have been great). Plus, this has been one of the best Christmas seasons ever�I don't think there's much that could bring me down.

Quote from: Gerald on December 20, 2010, 12:09:09 PM

Hi Daniel

I've just read the info, and it sounds like my sort of book. Could I have a copy please?

Quote from: SuzanneTyrpak on December 20, 2010, 12:17:16 PM

Me! Me! I want a copy!

You got it. PM me your email addresses and I'll gift you each a copy. I hope you both enjoy it.

Hooray for Christmas!

David 'Half-Orc' Dalglish · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2010, 12:56:08 PM »

I think the Bazaar is....well...dying. So many people want to give away their stuff, promote their work, announce it...there's no discussion. No life. It's a bunch of authors shouting at the top of their lungs for the brief moment they have a pedestal. Sad, but not exactly unexpected. At least the Cafe is going strong.

David Dalglish

Daniel Pyle · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:18:01 PM »

Quote from: Half-Orc on December 20, 2010, 12:56:08 PM

At least the Cafe is going strong.

Long live the cafe!

telracs · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:26:23 PM »

How could it be otherwise. The chief mourner, Daniel had signed the registry.

I saw the thread when you first started the giveaway, but it's not my cup of tea.

Also, you need to wait a full day before being depressed. Just because it's off the first page doesn't mean people won't see it, some folks check their "unread" posts so they will see it.

Gerald · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:27:36 PM »

I've received my gift, Daniel. Thank you!

Daniel Pyle · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:36:09 PM »

Quote from: scarlet on December 20, 2010, 01:26:23 PM

How could it be otherwise. The chief mourner, Daniel had signed the registry.

I saw the thread when you first started the giveaway, but it's not my cup of tea.

Also, you need to wait a full day before being depressed. Just because it's off the first page doesn't mean people won't see it, some folks check their "unread" posts so they will see it.

Does anybody know if that was the origin of the phrase "dead as a doornail"?

Tea? I prefer to think of the book as a cup of coffee.

And I don't get depressed. I get even.

Quote from: Gerald on December 20, 2010, 01:27:36 PM

I've received my gift, Daniel. Thank you!

Excellent! I hope you like it.

R. Doug · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:39:56 PM »

Quote from: Daniel Pyle on December 20, 2010, 01:36:09 PM

Does anybody know if that was the origin of the phrase "dead as a doornail"?

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-dea1.htm

Gordon Ryan · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:40:17 PM »

Quote from: Daniel Pyle on December 20, 2010, 01:18:01 PM

Long live the cafe!

Perhaps that's the problem. There's no food or drink in the Bazaar. People flock to a cafe, virtual or otherwise.

Would you like large fries with that novel?

Gordon Ryan

telracs · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:40:29 PM »

Quote from: Daniel Pyle on December 20, 2010, 01:36:09 PM

Does anybody know if that was the origin of the phrase "dead as a doornail"?

Don't think so, there's a knocker, but no door nails.

Quote from: Daniel Pyle on December 20, 2010, 01:36:09 PM

Tea? I prefer to think of the book as a cup of coffee.

even worse, I don't drink coffee

Quote from: Daniel Pyle on December 20, 2010, 01:36:09 PM

And I don't get depressed. I get even.

Good philosophy.

Daniel Pyle · « **Reply #13 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:49:25 PM »

Quote from: R. Doug on December 20, 2010, 01:39:56 PM

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-dea1.htm

I didn't even know they had doors in 1350.

Quote from: Gordon Ryan on December 20, 2010, 01:40:17 PM

Would you like large fries with that novel?

Mmmmm, fries. You might be on to something.

Quote from: scarlet on December 20, 2010, 01:40:29 PM

Don't think so, there's a knocker, but no door nails.

even worse, I don't drink coffee

Good philosophy.

Check again.

No coffee? How do you live?

Debra L Martin · « **Reply #14 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:52:55 PM »

Hi Daniel,

I didn't see your thread, but don't feel bad. I announced a book giveaway for one of Amanda Hocking's books that she is giving away on my blog. The thread died off the first page rather quickly too!

Amanda has sold thousands of books. If a thread giving her books away dies so fast, what hope is there for any one else?

Deb

telracs · « **Reply #15 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:53:27 PM »

Quote from: Daniel Pyle on December 20, 2010, 01:49:25 PM

Check again.

No coffee? How do you live?

You check and tell me where in Christmas Carol there's nails and I'll believe you.

And I do Coca Cola, not coffee for my caffiene.

williammeikle · « **Reply #16 on:** December 20, 2010, 01:57:45 PM »

Quote from: Daniel Pyle on December 20, 2010, 11:58:29 AM

There is no doubt whatever about that.

I tried to hand out three copies of Dismember over in the Bazaar today as a fun Christmas giveaway and had only one taker. I don't know if I hit a weird lull in reader traffic or what, but the thread is off the first page now and I doubt anyone else will see it before Christmas. If anyone here would like a copy, speak up; I want to give out two more. Don't make me say, "Bah, humbug!"

Ha, suck it up -- I have TWENTY Book Bazaar threads - all dead as dodos :-)

telracs · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2010, 02:00:40 PM »

Regarding book bazaar threads.... The more of them you have, the more likely you'll get knocked off the first page. Simple math. If you start 10 threads, then Daniel starts 10 threads, then Ed starts ten threads, you're gone.... Also, just because you don't responses on your book bazaar threads doesn't mean they're dead, check out views, not responses.

And remember, KBers are more likely to buy books from authors that post outside the book bazaar.

Daniel Pyle · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2010, 04:01:53 PM »

Quote from: scarlet on December 20, 2010, 01:53:27 PM

You check and tell me where in Christmas Carol there's nails and I'll believe you.

I give my proof unto you:

Jeff · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2010, 04:21:15 PM »

Maybe not quite as dead as you think. Getting people to interact has always been difficult. Only a handful of good friends ever respond to my Bazaar thread but many others read the new posts.

This morning I posted my Christmas novella as a free download until January 1, 2011. So far there have been about 50 Kindle downloads and 30 ePub downloads. That's not earthshaking by any means, but please keep in mind that what I write appeals only to a very small audience of American military history buffs.

Don't give up on the Book Bazaar.

Bleekness · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2010, 04:40:40 PM »

Quote

I think the Bazaar is....well...dying.

I don't think it's dying, but with more and more authors joining the boards, threads will be pushed through the front page faster, resulting in shorter periods of exposure. I think it's important to find other places to make such announcements. We can't rely on just one. Similar situation with the indie book review sites, so many books to review, longer wait in the queue. It's a side effect of taking control of our careers.

We just find another way to get the word out (strikes the thinker's pose).

David 'Half-Orc' Dalglish · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2010, 04:44:35 PM »

Quote from: Bleekness on December 21, 2010, 04:40:40 PM

I don't think it's dying, but with more and more authors joining the boards, threads will be pushed through the front page faster, resulting in shorter periods of exposure.

So it's dying of suffocation.

Daniel Pyle · « **Reply #22 on:** December 21, 2010, 05:18:58 PM »

Quote from: Jeff on December 21, 2010, 04:21:15 PM

Don't give up on the Book Bazaar.

Oh, I'm not giving up on it. I still notice a bigger jump in sales after my Bazaar posts than any of my posts elsewhere. And I know some people see the thread after it's gone from the first page (I do watch my page views, Scarlet

), but it's rarely more than three or four.

I was just in a giving mood that day (was that only yesterday?!?) and a little surprised it was so hard to give something away for free. It reminded me of my botched Twitter giveaway*. I think I'm just a lousy giver away. But no worries; I'll try something different next time.

Plus, my sales are continuing to increase each month, so I've got nothing to complain about.

*Don't ask.

Gerald · « **Reply #23 on:** December 21, 2010, 05:47:11 PM »

Out of interest, Daniel, I'm really enjoying your book. I've had to stop today, to do some work, but I'll continue with it tomorrow.

It's a great read, and a fascinating story. People should buy this book!

Daniel Pyle · « **Reply #24 on:** December 21, 2010, 06:18:14 PM »

Quote from: Gerald on December 21, 2010, 05:47:11 PM

Out of interest, Daniel, I'm really enjoying your book. I've had to stop today, to do some work, but I'll continue with it tomorrow.

It's a great read, and a fascinating story. People should buy this book!

Thank you, sir.

I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Imogen Rose · « **Reply #25 on:** December 21, 2010, 06:26:40 PM »

Nookboards has a sub special forum for giveaways and special offers. I wonder how Harvey would feel about setting one up here. Possibly as a separate and visible sub forum (like Introductions).

Bleekness · « **Reply #26 on:** December 21, 2010, 06:56:47 PM »

Quote

So it's dying of suffocation.

It'll have to get medicated

Quote

I was just in a giving mood that day (was that only yesterday?!?) and a little surprised it was so hard to give something away for free.

I tried to do the same for one of my books about a month ago. I wanted to give away ten copies--no one took me up on it. I wondered if it was just cuz of the format (PDF) or because I asked for a review or... something else.

David 'Half-Orc' Dalglish · « **Reply #27 on:** December 21, 2010, 09:06:34 PM »

Quote from: Bleekness on December 21, 2010, 06:56:47 PM

I tried to do the same for one of my books about a month ago. I wanted to give away ten copies--no one took me up on it. I wondered if it was just cuz of the format (PDF) or because I asked for a review or... something else.

That's because one of the bigger challenges of an indie author isn't getting people to part with their money: it is about getting them to believe the book is worth their time.

We all are pressed for time. Every book I read means there are 200 I'm not reading on my Kindle. Someone offers their book for free. Awesome! But who says I want to spend the time and effort to read it? Who knows if it is -any- good? And for awhile, people were giving books out free all the time on the Bazaar. If not carefully worded, it comes across more as desperation (I can't get no reviews sales/so please read my book for free in hopes you'll review or tell others!).

Honestly, I'll pay for a book I'm interested in if it is an indie. Very rarely will I grab one just because I can get it free. I mean, come on, its 99 cents most of the time anyway. OoOoOoh.

David Dalglish

p.s.

I want to make it clear I am NOT making any assumption/implications on the two authors who just said they tried a free giveaway. Just going by experience from being here on the KB for awhile.

telracs · « **Reply #28 on:** December 21, 2010, 09:29:19 PM »

Well, the phrase is there, but are there any other door nails?

Bleekness · « **Reply #29 on:** December 22, 2010, 03:15:14 AM »

Quote

If not carefully worded, it comes across more as desperation (I can't get no reviews sales/so please read my book for free in hopes you'll review or tell others!).

Actually, you hit it there--I was thinking that it might have come across as desperation.

Ah well. New Year. New tactics. New covers.

And a new bottle of Mr Daniels I think Santa slipped into me fireplace sock