Author Topic: Include ads?  (Read 3801 times)

okey dokey

Include ads?
« on: March 22, 2021, 02:44:54 AM »
Can you include ads in your paperbacks and ebooks?
 

alhawke

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2021, 03:34:57 AM »
For your own books, right? Not another authors?
You can provide links but you have to ensure they are specific to the retailer you're selling your book to. In other words, if I'm selling a book on Kobo I'm not supposed to provide a link to Amazon. I can only link to books on Kobo. And vice versa.
 
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okey dokey

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2021, 03:46:54 AM »
Thanks Alhawke

Assume the ad is not for another book.
But for writing or photo software.
Or a course on plotting or advertising. Or someone's blog?
 

Post-Doctorate D

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2021, 04:04:54 AM »
Make all links to pages on your own website then redirect from there.
"To err is human but to really foul things up requires AI."
 
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alhawke

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2021, 07:22:55 AM »
Make all links to pages on your own website then redirect from there.
Yes, this sounds like great advice. I'd move it away from the retailer platform or it could look like you're advertising through them. They could have issues with that. But I've never advertised anything outside of my own writing & books.
 

Post-Doctorate D

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2021, 07:52:10 AM »
Make all links to pages on your own website then redirect from there.
Yes, this sounds like great advice. I'd move it away from the retailer platform or it could look like you're advertising through them. They could have issues with that. But I've never advertised anything outside of my own writing & books.

Two reasons it works.

1) You don't have to have different versions of your eBook file for different platforms.  Just steer readers to your website and have all the retailer links there.

2) If a link changes, you don't have books out there with invalid links.  If a platform folds or gets bought out by a competitor, you only need update links on your website.  Same holds true for ads to third-party sites.  For example, if you are advertising photo software and that company goes away, you can update your website with something like, "Hey, XYZ Photo Software is no longer available, but now I recommend ABC Photo Software."

If you don't redirect from your website, best worst case is that you end up with invalid links in your books but the worst worst case is that you end up with links that point to a porn site, which may not be a big issue if you write erotica, or to a scam site, which is a problem no matter what you write.  Once a domain name owner lets their registration lapse, you don't know who might grab it.

3) If you plan to use affiliate links, some retailers don't like affiliate links in their books and some affiliate programs restrict where you can place affiliate links.  Since most do not have a problem with using affiliate links on your own website, by directing people to your website, you can use affiliate links there.

Also, there are two types of people in the world: Those who can count and those who cannot.

Most importantly: If you do this, make gosh-darned sure that you renew your domain name on time.  Register for multiple years if you can afford it.  Make a note when it needs to be renewed again.  Anytime you have extra cash, tack on a few more years to your domain name registration.
"To err is human but to really foul things up requires AI."
 

Jeff Tanyard

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2021, 09:53:16 AM »
Generally speaking, it's best to have just a single link in your back matter.  I think studies have shown that the more links you have, the less likely it is that any of them get clicked.  You want to focus the reader onto a single "call to action."

If I was going to advertise a non-book thing, then I'd only do it in the back matter of books that didn't have sequels: standalone stories and last-in-series books.  Otherwise, I'd just have a link to the next book in the series.

Anyway, just my opinion.  Hope that helps, and good luck.  :)
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Post-Doctorate D

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2021, 09:57:44 AM »
Also, redirecting from your website gives you tracking information.

If I was going to advertise a non-book thing, then I'd only do it in the back matter of books that didn't have sequels: standalone stories and last-in-series books.  Otherwise, I'd just have a link to the next book in the series.

The OP didn't say, but I'm guessing this might be for non-fiction?  If so, it might work to have resources links in each chapter or at the end to software or services being recommended.
"To err is human but to really foul things up requires AI."
 

Jeff Tanyard

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2021, 10:02:05 AM »
Also, redirecting from your website gives you tracking information.

If I was going to advertise a non-book thing, then I'd only do it in the back matter of books that didn't have sequels: standalone stories and last-in-series books.  Otherwise, I'd just have a link to the next book in the series.

The OP didn't say, but I'm guessing this might be for non-fiction?  If so, it might work to have resources links in each chapter or at the end to software or services being recommended.


Beats me.  Non-fiction is a whole 'nother animal.   :shrug
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okey dokey

Re: Include ads?
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2021, 10:09:00 AM »
Thanks folks for all your good suggestions. Now I have a lot to consider.

Yes, this would be for a non-fiction book.