Author Topic: Upcoming bookbub July 31st (Read 16422 times)

Simon Haynes · « **on:** July 09, 2019, 05:20:24 PM »

A week ago I applied for a US-only bookbub on a title which had an international-only BB in January. Accepted yesterday.

This is the carefully-crafted comment I included with my submission:

You ran an international (non-US) Featured Deal for this book in Jan this year. Now I've set it to perma-free, and am hoping to promote the first in this series to US readers.

Yep, took all of thirty seconds to come up with that. I think we can agree the magic handshake is not in whatever you put into the comments box.

Anyway, in Jan this was a 99c featured deal, reduced from 2.99. Now it's been perma-free for at least a month, so there's no actual price reduction or special offer or anything. (Another myth dismissed?)

I do have 32 reviews for the US edition with an average of 4.3, and it's pretty well regarded on Goodreads as well, but I've had featured deals on books with one review before now. As others have said before, reviews don't seem to matter at all.

Just sharing all this to help others unlock the mysteries of Featured Deal acceptances.

My personal theory is that acceptance depends what kind of slots they have available... ie what kind of books are already lined up. If they have a heavy-duty scifi space opera as one featured deal, then having a lighter scifi novel with a female protagonist on the cover as the second deal could widen the appeal of that daily email. It's all about getting subscribers to click...

The other thing was, even though I just applied for US-only, in the acceptance email they said they'd love to include international as well. I said yes, naturally.

Now I just have to price-match amazon.in

Jeff Tanyard · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2019, 05:46:54 PM »

Congratulations, man, and good luck.

notthatamanda · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2019, 08:21:14 PM »

Congrats Simon!

I tried a similar comment after my Intl only bookbub but alas, no love. I had received some really nice reviews from UK readers too. I submitted another one a couple of days ago, (new adult romance) so if they come in threes DIBS!

(My BB was 99 cents on my psych thriller)
But it's probably time to reapply.

My next plan is to take the first in the series off permafrees, and see if that makes it more attractive to them somehow. (Romance)

Looking forward to your results.

JRTomlin · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2019, 11:24:29 AM »

Congrats on the promo.

I never comment. Never have commented. I won't tell you how many BB promotions I've had over the years. (*cough* A lot) I have no clue what makes a difference. I've had spates when they wouldn't give me one for a bunch of submissions and then they take everything I throw at them. 🤷

I just did one that got my novel up to #10 in Free US which is pretty decent for a historical mystery. Hope yours goes really well!

VanessaC · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2019, 06:02:14 PM »

Congratulations on the Bookbub - I hope it goes really well for you.

They keep turning me down, but then I'm in KU - I think the record rejection time was about 12 hours, which is pretty swift considering I'm in the UK ...

OfficialEthanJ · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2019, 05:06:26 AM »

Congratulations, and I'm happy to add, DEAD SHOT will be joining you there (99c, US only).

I'm going lightheaded. First try.

LilyBLily · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2019, 11:07:20 AM »

Wow. Congratulations to you both!

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2019, 12:56:30 AM »

Quote from: OfficialEthanJ on July 24, 2019, 05:06:26 AM

Congratulations, and I'm happy to add, DEAD SHOT will be joining you there (99c, US only).

I'm going lightheaded. First try.

Congrats! I like the cover, and here's hoping it sells up a storm.

The last time I had a freebie with Bookbub was in 2011 or 2012, so I don't have any idea what sellthrough might be like. I'm assuming zero, but my book has a reader magnet in the front so hopefully it'll bring in some more newsletter subs.

A year ago I had about 120 people on my list. Now it's zooming up at 200-300 per month, mostly thanks to Prolific Works and BookFunnel promos. Currently sitting on 2800 or so.

notthatamanda · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2019, 01:27:59 AM »

Good luck to both of you. T-minus 7 days and counting...

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2019, 02:12:25 AM »

I've been a bit slack about this, but I'm now rushing around booking stacking promos leading up to the BB. (To be fair, I've spent up big on recording audiobooks this year, so the promo piggy bank is emaciated right now.)

twicebitten · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2019, 10:03:53 PM »

good luck to you!

I didn't stack any promos this last time. I don't think it made a bit of difference. I still hit top 100 in store at both Amazon and B&N. So if you can't/don't advertise with the little guys, I wouldn't worry about it.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2019, 01:57:42 PM »

I managed to book a freebie via ebook booster, as well as their cheap 'we'll tell all these other sites' deal. Then ENT accepted me, so that's on, and I got a Freebooksy at very short notice. I think there was another one as well, but I've honestly forgotten. (I'm flat out working on yWriter for MacOS, so my brain can only see programming right now.)

Anyway, the next couple of days should see the downloads climbing quickly, and then it's BB day on the 31st.

WasAnn · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2019, 10:25:25 PM »

Have fun!

I did the same with International and then US only on another book. The Intl one did so well they had me write a blog post for them on how I did it. Little things matter and you're doing all the things.

Those days of watching the dls climb are the best days.

RiverRun · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2019, 11:57:46 PM »

Ann, I hope you don't mind that I looked up the blog post and found it interesting. I'll link to it here in case anyone else is wondering what you did right:)

https://insights.bookbub.com/how-rocked-international-only-bookbub-deal/

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2019, 01:19:36 AM »

That's awesome! Because mine's a perma-free I'm not expecting much in the way of sell-through, but on the other hand the tail should be very long indeed. (The price is staying at zero for the foreseeable future.)

I have another first-in-series which is also a perma-free, and I reckon it would be smart to schedule a KU free day or two for my only title in Kindle Unlimited as well.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2019, 02:17:15 AM »

My ENT and Freebooksy promos are both running now, and Peace Force is currently #10 free in Scifi and #169 overall on Amazon.com (It's been hovering around 600-1000 for a couple of days)

Hopefully it will stick at these levels until tomorrow night, when the bookbub should push it much higher.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2019, 04:32:42 AM »

Now it's cracked the top 100 free overall (#66) on Amazon.com

I don't think any of my perma-frees have ever reached that high. And that's before the BB starts in about 22 hours!

notthatamanda · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2019, 06:34:29 AM »

That's great! Good luck tomorrow.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2019, 12:36:21 PM »

Well it's still at #52 Free overall, so I can't see it dropping back into the 500s before the end of the day (with any luck.)

OfficialEthanJ · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2019, 12:40:00 PM »

My 99c USA one is tomorrow. I am freaking out.

No stacking for me. I want to see "raw" Bookbub in action. Plus, you know, broke.

Tom Wood · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2019, 12:51:30 PM »

Go Simon!

Jeff Tanyard · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2019, 02:35:57 PM »

Quote from: Simon Haynes on July 31, 2019, 04:32:42 AM

Now it's cracked the top 100 free overall (#66) on Amazon.com

I don't think any of my perma-frees have ever reached that high. And that's before the BB starts in about 22 hours!

#51 right now. Don't be surprised by a top three finish. That's what Bookbub did for my own permafree back in February.

Quote from: OfficialEthanJ on July 31, 2019, 12:40:00 PM

My 99c USA one is tomorrow. I am freaking out.

No stacking for me. I want to see "raw" Bookbub in action. Plus, you know, broke.

Don't freak out. There are no sure things in this business, but a Bookbub Featured Deal is as close to a sure thing as you'll get. Just relax and enjoy seeing the orange spike on your KDP reports page.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2019, 02:42:38 PM »

Quote from: OfficialEthanJ on July 31, 2019, 12:40:00 PM

My 99c USA one is tomorrow. I am freaking out.

No stacking for me. I want to see "raw" Bookbub in action. Plus, you know, broke.

Yeah, money's the thing. You don't see the royalties for quite a long time after the BB.

I had to scrape together funds this month to pay for the BB, because I didn't really expect to get it. Still, I managed to stretch one liver and bacon fry-up out to four days, with lots of fresh peas from my garden ;-)

notthatamanda · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2019, 08:22:08 PM »

I'm jealous of the peas. Isn't it winter there? They are a cold weather crop but still.

Good luck Simon and Ethan.

I did the "raw" Bookbub back in Dec, Intl only and was very happy with the results. Enjoy every minute of it.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #24 on:** July 31, 2019, 08:27:14 PM »

Yes, mid-late winter. I have tomato seedlings and beetroot on the go for spring, but it's been dry so they're looking a bit sad. The coriander (cilantro) and parsley are going nuts though.

Somehow the rank is now #47 overall. It's still going up 12 hours after those two promos, which bodes well for tonight!

notthatamanda · « **Reply #25 on:** July 31, 2019, 08:33:45 PM »

This is what I'm seeing in the US for categories:

#1 in Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction eBooks
#1 in Teen & Young Adult Humorous eBooks
#1 in Humorous Science Fiction (Kindle Store)

It's nice to think teens are reading over the summer (up here).

Vijaya · « **Reply #26 on:** July 31, 2019, 11:58:59 PM »

Maggie Ann · « **Reply #27 on:** August 01, 2019, 01:33:52 AM »

Quote from: notthatamanda on July 31, 2019, 08:22:08 PM

I'm jealous of the peas. Isn't it winter there? They are a cold weather crop but still.

Good luck Simon and Ethan.

I did the "raw" Bookbub back in Dec, Intl only and was very happy with the results. Enjoy every minute of it.

Quote from: Simon Haynes on July 31, 2019, 02:42:38 PM

Quote from: OfficialEthanJ on July 31, 2019, 12:40:00 PM
My 99c USA one is tomorrow. I am freaking out.

No stacking for me. I want to see "raw" Bookbub in action. Plus, you know, broke.

Yeah, money's the thing. You don't see the royalties for quite a long time after the BB.

I had to scrape together funds this month to pay for the BB, because I didn't really expect to get it. Still, I managed to stretch one liver and bacon fry-up out to four days, with lots of fresh peas from my garden ;-)

Quote from: notthatamanda on July 31, 2019, 08:22:08 PM

I'm jealous of the peas. Isn't it winter there? They are a cold weather crop but still.

Good luck Simon and Ethan.

I did the "raw" Bookbub back in Dec, Intl only and was very happy with the results. Enjoy every minute of it.

I'm jealous of the liver and bacon.

I really should start saving for a BB ad. Also liver and bacon.

Congrats on the great results. Fingers crossed for a nice, long tail and sell-thru.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #28 on:** August 01, 2019, 02:06:23 AM »

About 3 hours in, 12,500 downloads so far and 50 full-price sales of books 2/3. (That's across Amazon. The other stores won't have figs until tomorrow.)

Amazon(.com) Best Sellers Rank: #12 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

#1 in Science Fiction Adventure
#1 in Teen & Young Adult Humorous eBooks
#1 in Humorous Science Fiction (Kindle Store)

Amazon(.ca) Bestsellers Rank: #8 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

#1 in Science Fiction Adventure

Amazon(.com.au) Bestsellers Rank: #19 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

#1 in Science Fiction Adventure (Kindle Store)
#2 in Children's & Young Adult (Kindle Store)

Uk hasn't updated yet.

VanessaC · « **Reply #29 on:** August 01, 2019, 02:30:38 AM »

Congratulations!!! May the downloads, and sales, keep going.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #30 on:** August 01, 2019, 02:53:59 AM »

Yep, roaring along. 1300 downloads on Kobo so far (just saw those numbers). 14k on Amazon, and 60 sales of other books.

It's got a long way to go to earn the cost of the BB, but that's never the point with a perma-free. It's a long-term strategy.

I just wish amazon.co.uk would update their charts!

I also made a point of price-matching in France, Germany and Spain, and I've had downloads in all three.

OfficialEthanJ · « **Reply #31 on:** August 01, 2019, 02:57:18 AM »

I'm ~200 sales shy of break-even.

Rankings are slooooooooow to update, so... not looking to be in the top million in this decade. Subject to change without notice.

Other than that, best promo results ever! Seriously!

VanessaC · « **Reply #32 on:** August 01, 2019, 03:19:29 AM »

Quote from: Simon Haynes on August 01, 2019, 02:53:59 AM

Yep, roaring along. 1300 downloads on Kobo so far (just saw those numbers). 14k on Amazon, and 60 sales of other books.

It's got a long way to go to earn the cost of the BB, but that's never the point with a perma-free. It's a long-term strategy.

I just wish amazon.co.uk would update their charts!

I also made a point of price-matching in France, Germany and Spain, and I've had downloads in all three.

On Amazon UK, the last couple of times I've used my free days, the rank basically disappeared for the duration - this was using KU free days, so perma free might be different, but there seemed to be an issue with UK free ranking.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #33 on:** August 01, 2019, 03:32:52 AM »

#2 overall in Canada now. Still #12 in the US, but hasn't moved in the UK. (At least it has a rank from yesterday though - 477!)

17k downloads, 70 sales of other titles.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #34 on:** August 01, 2019, 03:38:46 AM »

*mind boggled*

Amazon.com:

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #35 on:** August 01, 2019, 04:04:35 AM »

My gut tells me 2500 free downloads from amazon.co.uk should push the book very near number one. Still hasn't moved so I guess I'll leave it until tomorrow and check again.

If Peace Force somehow manages #1 in the US while I'm sleeping, do let me know ;-) (That's the curse of living life 12 hours ahead of the US!)

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #36 on:** August 01, 2019, 04:59:09 AM »

#2 in the UK ;-)

The product page hasn't updated yet, but I found it by opening the top 100 free list.

So...

#2 US
#2 UK
#2 CA
#19 AU

And I just sent a quick message out to my 3000 newsletter subscribers to let them know about the freebie. Might as well throw everything I have at it ;-)

3am. Time for sleep.

cecilia_writer · « **Reply #37 on:** August 01, 2019, 06:19:02 AM »

How exciting! Hope the newsletter alert will give you a final push.

Jeff Tanyard · « **Reply #38 on:** August 01, 2019, 07:28:21 AM »

Quote from: Simon Haynes on August 01, 2019, 03:38:46 AM

*mind boggled*

Amazon.com:

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

Called it. ;)

Congratulations, man, and enjoy the sell-through.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #39 on:** August 01, 2019, 11:11:32 AM »

All four stores are #2 now. Awesome!

27,000 downloads and 120 sales so far. Excludes Google and Apple.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #40 on:** August 01, 2019, 10:54:11 PM »

Just hit #1 in Australia. All the other stores have 'Bermondsey Poisoner' just ahead of me, but I finally got past it.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #41 on:** August 02, 2019, 02:37:20 AM »

24 hour stats: 41,500 downloads (Apple 3500, Google 2000, B&N 1200, Kobo 3000.)

Still #2 free on Amazon US, UK and CA. #1 free on AU. Edit - slipping now, down to 3 or 4 on most stores. 2 new BB freebies have jumped to first and second ;-)

Not bad for a self-pubbed novel with a home made cover ;-)

Edit to add: I've broken even on the $500 cost of the BB. Once Apple figures are factored in, it will have made a profit in the first 24 hours.

Using up a couple of free days on my one and only KU novel was a good move. That's shifted 400 freebies, and is #1 in several major SF categories (free) on the UK store, and #3 or #4 in similar categories in the US.

Secret War: Raiders

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

#3 in Space Fleet Science Fiction eBooks
#4 in Space Opera Science Fiction (Kindle Store)

My other perma-free (A Robot Named Clunk) also saw a bit of reflected sunshine, shifting a similar number:

A Robot Named Clunk

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #890 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

#1 in Parodies (Kindle Store)
#2 in Teen & Young Adult Humorous eBooks
#2 in Humorous Science Fiction (Kindle Store)

notthatamanda · « **Reply #42 on:** August 02, 2019, 09:09:51 AM »

24 hour stats: 41,500 downloads (Apple 3500, Google 2000, B&N 1200, Kobo 3000.

Wow. I got nothing else, just wow. Those are the new covers for that series right? I guess you can declare them successful. Did you make those? If not can you PM me your cover artist please. I'll cross my fingers they do Women's Fiction.

Congratulations fortythousand times.

Maggie Ann · « **Reply #43 on:** August 02, 2019, 09:36:58 AM »

Incredible, Simon. Just incredible.

LilyBLily · « **Reply #44 on:** August 02, 2019, 10:38:02 AM »

That's wonderful!

Jeff Tanyard · « **Reply #45 on:** August 02, 2019, 01:58:05 PM »

Quote from: notthatamanda on August 02, 2019, 09:09:51 AM

24 hour stats: 41,500 downloads (Apple 3500, Google 2000, B&N 1200, Kobo 3000.

Wow. I got nothing else, just wow.

Yeah, same here. I've only ever seen numbers like that for romance novels.

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #46 on:** August 02, 2019, 05:50:45 PM »

Quote from: notthatamanda on August 02, 2019, 09:09:51 AM

24 hour stats: 41,500 downloads (Apple 3500, Google 2000, B&N 1200, Kobo 3000.

Wow. I got nothing else, just wow. Those are the new covers for that series right? I guess you can declare them successful. Did you make those? If not can you PM me your cover artist please. I'll cross my fingers they do Women's Fiction.

Congratulations fortythousand times.

Thanks! Yes, I make all my own covers. It's one of my favourite parts of the entire process, to be honest. I go off and make covers for future books in all my series, just for the fun of it!

Right now I have covers for Hal 10, 11, 12, 13 and Harriet 4, Dragon and Chips 4, 5 and 6, and Secret War 2 and 3. My plan was to write all of them this year, but I moved house and now I'm busy programming instead.

VanessaC · « **Reply #47 on:** August 02, 2019, 10:04:29 PM »

Just had to add more huge congratulations - that sounds like one heck of a Bookbub!

Simon Haynes · « **Reply #48 on:** August 03, 2019, 02:36:34 AM »

About $720 in sales (plus Kobo), and 45,000 DL with the second day of Apple figures still to add in. I'm very pleased with that, obviously.

Still sitting at #6 free, too.

Vijaya · « **Reply #49 on:** August 04, 2019, 12:46:09 PM »

Always great to see your success!

Congrats!!!

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Author Topic: Upcoming bookbub July 31st (Read 16422 times)