Authors: how to recognize a real book buyer?

What is the dream of every author? To sell a book, of course.

Nothing frustrates me more than waiting months for a book sale. I experienced it in April when I was 38 days without sales, until the middle of May.

Meanwhile, I got many promises that woke up fake hopes and expectations.

"I would love to read this. " "Sounds thrilling. " "It will be on my Kindle."

Checking my sales report, I did not see changes.

That made me think, how many times do authors live in illusion?

In the middle of May, the situation started to change. I sold e-books, and paperback, and even got some KENP reads.

My buyers simply commented:" I purchase it. I bought it."

It was very important to me because also I got 3 new ratings, 5 and 4 stars for my books. I don't know who rates it, but I am glad my readers like my books.

Then I realized, that authors must separate fake buyers from real ones, to make difference between promises and pretending and separate it from real interests in books.

Fake buyers:

They praise the book at first sight, even though they did not read the preview.

Promise to buy it, and it never happens.

They praise your book and 5 minutes later they offer theirs to return.

Ask for your ARC copy for free.

Real buyers:

They say: "I will check on it. " Of course, you must check out the product. If I buy something, I read the blurb, watch the cover, and read reviews. Then I decide, I will buy it.

They say: "I purchase it."

They don't offer their product for return, and if they do, they say: "If you are interested, I would be glad to check my books."

The book market is a big field with a big competition. To jump out from millions of authors, you must wake up the reader's interest.

Readers are audiences with high standards. Offer them the best you can. Your books can't be too high-priced if you don't offer them the appropriate content. If you have a 60-page long story, it can't cost 5 dollars.

Also, covers could be professional and your content should look well-formatted and grammatically correct.

Beware of bloggers who want your free book and then forgot to review it. Or, they ask for money for their reviews.

What every author needs are real buyers. Even if you get negative reviews, at least they buy the book.

Comments

Should we respond to negative reviews?

Recently I had a discussion in my social media about negative ratings. There was a situation in Goodreads, where I got two negative reviews on my two books. The point was in the way how the ratings were set up. First rating for my book "Body in the waves" was placed under 5-star review from another reviewer. While the reviewer praising my book, the troll came under to say "This is really bad book." Second rating was described as " Poor author needs writing lessons." Both reviews broke standards of reviewing, because there is no visible evidence that book was downloaded in Kindle unlimited or purchased. It was a clear troll act from a new page, without a profile photo and with a nickname. I reported this to Goodreads and they responded me they are processing this. Meanwhile, I heard from other authors that Goodreads failed to do anything about trolling. In these terms, Goodreads should delete such profiles and forbid the access because of breaking rules. T...

Why the refund is damaging indie authors?

I understand someone can be disappointed with a book. It is like I was disapointed with my trousers online and returned it. What makes a difference, my trousers were 40 euros. The book was 2.49 cents. This makes return funny, because what can you do with this money? Some readers don't understand story behind the refund. The author will get minus royalties. - 0.13 c in my Kindle report, that will vanish when someone else buy the book. The situation happens. Someone accidentaly clicked and bought a book. A random customer wants a refund. Maybe it was not a random move. Maybe the customer clicked, bought and did not like the book. When you don't like the book choose another options, instead of damaging authors. Write a negative review. Write negative one star rating. Don't purchase another books from this author. Or, maybe to reconsider and read it, again? If you write negative reviews or rate it with 1 or 2 stars, you are making a favor to authors. You are moving algorithms i...

Five myths about promo sites

Recently I asked for a featured Bookbub deal for one of my books. I got response that my book should be free priced and my expense would be 230 dollars. This is really funny, because I could expect people grab my book for free and give me one star (as it happens when books are available for everyone). To pay such amount of money would be waste and without a purpose. I am mix of traditional and indie author. Having a publisher, but not bestseller books, I am looking for ways to increase my book sales. Promo sites like Bookbub are very expensive and they offer their deals for 25% books from authors who applied for this. I had an insight to author's books who grabbed Bookbub deals. It works will authors who are already selling a good amount of their books. In general, promo sites are not working for favor of indie authors. These are five myths about promo sites: Promo sites give many readers. It is not true, because you will get visibility and many trolls, but not readers. Promo sites...

Rebelious rules by Kristina Gallo

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