Do pre-orders canabilize your mailing list?

711 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Krista D. Ball, Feb 25, 2015

Jack Krenneck

Discussion Starter · Feb 24, 2015

I've been weighing up the pros and cons of using Amazon's pre-order feature lately.

It occurred to me though that pre-orders could interfere with the volume of mailing list subscribers. The main reason to join a mailing list is to receive notification of a new release - hardly necessary if the reader can pre-order the book.

Obviously, I'm talking about a mailing list here where no other incentive, such as a free book, is offered.

I wonder what people's thoughts or experiences are on this?

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1 - 7 of 7 Posts

Stephanie Marks

· #2 · Feb 24, 2015

Well if you're planning on writing more than one book they may want advanced notice of your NEXT release.

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cinisajoy

· #3 · Feb 24, 2015

You could also let them know when the book goes on pre-order.
That is how I knew about a couple of pre-orders.

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theaatkinson

· #4 · Feb 24, 2015

Why can't the newsletter go out to tell them they can pre-order?

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Jack Krenneck

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 25, 2015

Why is no decision ever easy?

Oh well, I'll give it a little more thought but I'm glad to see that the impact isn't too great. The mailing list is more important in the end, but I'll probably trial a pre-order and just monitor my signup rate. If it cuts too deep, I don't have to do it again.

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Jack Krenneck

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 25, 2015

ゴジラ said:
In my experience, yes, having preorders reduces the number of mailing list enrollments, but not too significantly. However, a preorder is a guaranteed sale; mailing lists are not.

Incidentally, your old thread (a slow and dirty guide to building sales) is a cracker. It helped me a lot, so thank you.

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Krista D. Ball

· #7 · Feb 25, 2015

ゴジラ said:
In my experience, yes, having preorders reduces the number of mailing list enrollments, but not too significantly. However, a preorder is a guaranteed sale; mailing lists are not.

All things being equal, I prefer to grow my mailing list, but there are too many factors that can prevent emails from reaching readers. Plus, there are lots of people who prefer not to sign up for more newsletters. I'm one of them. I wouldn't let the impact on your mailing list prevent you from doing a preorder.

Ideally, readers would do both so I can remind them to go read the book they preordered with my mailing list!

I've also found my mailing list doesn't hit my pre-orders because they know I'm going to remind them again when the book is out. Whereas, all of the impulse buyers grab the preorder (I'm done Book 2, where is book 3

oh preorder, grab it now before I forget!! woot!!).

Mind you, I'm working with a much smaller number then you, so really, just ignore all that I just said.