Last week, Canada Council for the Arts released survey results regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the artistic community. The artistic community includes organizations, groups, and individuals working in arts and culture, so it encompasses a broad spectrum of people.
The report (HERE) is quite detailed but in a nutshell, more than half of the participants (just over 32% responded) felt that the Canadian government’s emergency response fund was helpful. Over half were not applying for assistance, though, for a variety of reasons. Some didn’t think they were eligible while others had income from other sources which they believed disqualified them. Needless to say, artists have been hit hard, but then artists have always had tough challenges.
But writers are adaptable creatures. I’ve already seen authors employing Zoom, podcasts, and Instagram in discussions, readings, and book launches which is very cool. I took part in a discussion hosted by Port Moody Arts on May 14th. Despite a couple of technical glitches with my audio at the beginning, I think it went well. The Facebook link to the recording is HERE.
Speaking of online promotion, I finally completed the stats from my one-day BookBub ‘Featured Author’ event back on Dec.31st. I offered my first Casey Holland mystery for free that day on Amazon, Kobo, and Apple ibooks. The stats encompass Jan. 30-Apr. 30, and I’m pretty pleased with the outcome. Note that The Opposite of Dark remained free for 3 or 4 days after the event, although next time I would keep it free for a little longer.
There were over 96,000 downloads of the book and in January I sold 475 ebooks of the other four in the series. (The Blade Man hadn’t been released at that time). Usually, I sell maybe half a dozen ebooks in January if I’m lucky. As anticipated, sales tapered off in the following three months, but I have absolutely no complaints because the point of this was to increase my visibility and I succeeded.
The Opposite of Dark was #1 in Kindle sales by the end of Dec. 31st, and still at #10 on Jan. 2nd. Over 70 people recommended by book on BookBub’s site and I went from 7 reviews to over 150. I can’t imagine how long it would take me to find that many reviewers without this promotion. My net profit was nearly $900, so yes, I think the event was a success and I’m going to apply again next December. I don’t know if it’ll be any easier to get in the second time around, but the contact person there advised me to offer the same title only once a year. It took months to be accepted last time, so who knows what will happen?
I certainly can’t promise that everyone will have the same results. There are uncontrollable factors in any promotional event. We are in a different time now, where money is understandably tight for many people. Mystery/suspense novels are popular, so whether BookBub events work as well for literary novels, niche nonfiction, or children’s books is another matter. I do recommend that you have at least four books before approaching BookBub because the money is made on selling your other books. So, remember to put links into your ebooks, so readers can easily find them. As you can imagine, my challenge these days is selling print books. Here in British Columbia businesses are slowly opening up, but it looks like the book events I’d planned for the summer have been cancelled. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the fall.
THE OPPOSITE OF DARK:
Amazon: myBook.to/TheOppositeofDark
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-opposite-of-dark-2
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1151714413
Your results from one day on Bookbub blow me away! Did you have to have a minimum amount of reviews to qualify as “Featured Author”? I’d love to hear how you did this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, you don’t have to have a certain number of reviews on this site, although it helps. I’m guessing that I was accepted partly because I applied the first week of Dec. at a time when there were perhaps less applications because of Christmas preps. I wasn’t sure how it would go on the last day of the year. I told them that I was flexible with dates, but yeah, I was blown away by the results too. One of the reasons I would keep the book free a little longer is that people who were busy over New Years and were just getting around to catching up on emails and would have missed the offer. Cautionary note: it’s very expensive, especially because of the low Cdn. dollar, but it clearly if people like the first book, they’ll buy the others. My ebooks were only 3.99 and 4.99, so the price was reasonable. I’d rather save up and put my money on a promotion with great opportunities, then spend a few dollars here and there on smaller promo sites or ads.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What about a Zoom book tour? Imagine if the library directors could coordinate a meet the author book tour – you could tour BC from Victoria to Revelstoke and sleep on your own pillow every night ♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a good idea. Something to think about!
LikeLike
do you notice anything on one of my recent blogs? hint?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I did. It was a reference to retirement and transitions, as I recall!
LikeLike
It was about Casey Holland
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, I have retirement on my brain on the moment, and last minute work pressures, but I thank you for the mention and the links. I don’t think anyone’s ever done that before. You are a very kind person. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admire your writing. Retirement looms! Planning a party?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m exactly 8 days away & fretting a bit about all the things I have to do. Woke up in the middle of the night with work-related things darting everywhere. This will probably stay with me until my last day on May 29th.
LikeLike
thanks for mentioning work. I knocked myself out trying to leave nothing of my files incomplete. I did it for my coworkers. I don’t recommend it.
LikeLike
Oh, and no party planned as we’re still pretty much self-isolating. Probably a quiet get together with immediate family, which is fine with me. I have an online work meeting coming up in a little over an hour, but I don’t think I’ll see anyone in person before my last day. It’s kind of surreal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a different way to retire for certain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats! Those are impressive numbers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks. It’s a starting point. If I can get in again, it will be interesting to compare.
LikeLike
I DO love that cover!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s amazing! I’ve looked at that promotion on Book Bub so appreciate hearing how it does.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks. I wish there were more sites like it, but less expensive. It’s such a big risk.
LikeLike
I’m so happy for you. Congratulations. I know how long and hard you’ve worked for this. You deserved the BB feature!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Wendy. If you need more help in giving it a try, email me. Always happy to pay it forward.
LikeLike
That is impressive — well done
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mallee. I feel lucky to have had the experience. To even be accepted is akin to winning a lottery, albeit it an expensive, somewhat risky, one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You did very well. Thanks for sharing this with us. I do hope you get in again at the end of this year. Sad about the events being cancelled but hopefully things will start up again soon. I’m sad I can’t get back to Canada this June. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Darlene. Yes, travel seems to be one of the most uncertain outcomes of this whole thing. Who knows when any of us will be taking trips again?
LikeLiked by 1 person