I totally agree with the idea of being active on social media. I just got active on Instagram after 3 years (!!) and I recently created a Substack newsletter plus my own authortube channel here on YT. It's scary being vulnerable online but some of the authors who I follow are those that bit the bullet, show their faces and give glimpses into their lives. I want my readers to feel just as welcomed as those authors make me feel! ♡ Great tips, I'll keep them in mind when I have my debut out.
Yes! It can be scary putting yourself out there for strangers to judge, but I try to keep all my online spaces really positive and encouraging, so if anyone doesn't come in with those intentions, it's important to protect your space. And I think it's never too late to start 😊
Honestly, #1 is so important! I've been trying to market my books on and off on social media and when burnout really hits with it I've noticed it's because I'm way too focused on getting results vs building my community and showing my personality.
SO much this. I recently got a wakeup call and started relaxing and really just getting to know others on social media. I am starting to get follows from other authors and readers now. I am very goal-oriented so it has been difficult to know what to post on social media. I find just posting everywhere about everything is working.
Lindsey, I love your videos. As a beginning indie author I appreciate all the tips on marketing and what works, or doesn't. You have talked about your expenses for Adobe where you do your own formatting and covers. Can you do a video showing how you make your covers? Or the formatting? Many of us really need tutorial on these basics. Also, you show putting the next book cover at the end of the current book. Did you create this on Adobe? Can you show/tell us how you created it? Thank you for all your great tips.
Thank you so much, I'm glad it's helpful! I'd love to make a video on formatting! When I'm ready to format the third book in my series, I'll try to document the cover and formatting process and get a video out.
Thank you for the video. I spend most of my time writing and getting the book ready. Orherwise, I do sporadic marketing, including a newsletter that doesn't serve me. I'll try to be consistent.
Hi Lindsey, I've written for years and studied Creative Writing at University. However, like a lot of us, the last 12 years have been consumed by corporate drudgery. I've really been focused on writing short stories, novels for the last 2 years and am hoping to get my first novel self published in the next 6 months. I just wanted to say I love your videos - you speak directly, give tangible real advice (not promising you'll make a gazillion book sales by following this one quick trick...) your content inspires me to keep writing!
So I agree with a lot of what you’re saying in this video. I do have a question, I enjoy the short form videos on social media but the growth on my social media accounts have not grown in years. A lot of my posts are not receiving engagement. The analytics show that my posts are not reaching less than 10 people on each social platforms (IG and Twitter specifically). It can feel like my work is getting thrown out the algorithm. I’m under the belief that I may be shadowbanned. What are your thoughts when you are faced with these challenges as an indie creator?
I find Instagram growth extremely difficult unless you’re using reels. I was on Instagram for years and was posting photos and carousels with barely any growth or engagement. But they’ve really been pushing reels for the last couple of years, trying to compete with TikTok. I don’t really use twitter but I have an indie author friend who’s found some success by engaging with other author accounts who will share posts and making sure the links you’re using are affiliate links if you’re published through Amazon. When it comes to marketing, it’s all about pivoting until you find something that works. Algorithms are always changing, but we have to remember that we’re trying to reach and connect with real people.
Thank you so much for making this video. I'm just starting on, in fact I publish my first book on KDP just yesterday 11/10/24. And I'm looking for ways to amp up and make sales. Thank you again for sharing.
Thank you. Marketing is one of those things I have a problem with. For one thing, I'm old ... no really, I passed that half century mark two decades ago. I've been writing since I was 12 and discovered I was more interested in the story than the self insert gratification I was providing for my circle of friends in the same fandom. I did no marketing for my small fantasy anthology, and still managed to get two very nice reviews out of the six sales, neither of them family or friends. Having just finished a book in a totally different area of the genre, fantasy, I'm looking into marketing which scares me. Almost as much a pressing the send button did on submitting the anthology on KDP. So, thank you for your insights. Now I just need to fix the cover on the paperback version of the anthology and find a cover for the new book ... And maybe I'll work on the marketing angle while I'm panicking over those two.
I never had traction on social media until I started using TikTok, and even then on average I'm only getting a few hundred views with a couple videos here and there getting more - and I still don't consider it "easy". It takes a lot of effort and experimentation. It's important to remember to try different things and do what works on an individual level.
Thank you so much for sharing! I'm curious where you get your paperbacks printed at? IS? Because the images are printed so flawless and dark, showing up perfectly on video. I've tried that with Amazon printing, and there are always lines through the graphics and photos!
I actually get mine printed through Amazon's KDP! I know they can be a little inconsistent with their printing, but I personally have never had any big issues.
I've sold around 100 books on Amazon but haven't gotten any email addresses from anyone. I'm not understanding how to get the email addresses to do a newsletter. I have 3 novels that I'm struggling to promote because I know nothing about marketing. I've done Facebook ads and did ok doing them but it gets expensive so I stopped doing them and now I'm selling nothing. My posts on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok get views but not many likes and they're not helping my sales at all.
100 is awesome! Do you have the link to your newsletter or a QR code or something in your book to make it easily accessible? Have you checked your reviews at all? Promoting is honestly one of the hardest parts about being an author, so you're not alone.
@itslindseeey Thank you. Those sales are all I have made in 10 years. My first book has been on Amazon since 2014. I have 3 books in total. I'm embarrassed to say 100 books is total for all 3 books not each book. I have a link in my books to my website which I lost during covid. Would it be beneficial to take my books down off Amazon and republish all of them with new ISBN and new info in the back of books? I would lose my valuable reviews though but the views aren't helping me sell my books anyway. I don't have a newsletter because I don't have anyone to send it too. I don't know how to get email addresses to send a newsletter to. All the books were sold on Amazon therefore no way to get email addresses from those who previously bought my books.
Gotcha! No need to be embarrassed, selling books is HARD -- we're asking people to spend a good chunk of time on something they may or may not enjoy. I don't think it would make much of a difference to republish with a new ISBN, but you could try changing up your blurb or covers. If you want to shoot me an email (lindseyelizabethdesigns@gmail.com) of your book listings on Amazon, I'd be happy to take a look and let you know if I have any more specific thoughts/ advice.
Your videos are very good and your editing skills are excellent, but your videos are not reaching many people. The main reason for this is that your videos are not SEO optimized. I am a TH-cam video SEO expert and would like to optimize your videos. Are you interested in this?
Research suggests that the “average” self-published, digital-only book sells about 250 copies in its lifetime. By comparison, the average traditionally published book sells 3,000 copies, but only about 250-300 of those sales happen in the first year.
@@itslindseeey yes I don't have to comment but fortunately there's a thing called free speech and I want to do it. just like you are free to publish whatever book. I wasn't rude I even said I wasn't saying you weren't a good writer. you certainly for sure and factually are a bad marketeer at least otherwise you wouldn't just sell 3000 copies. that's a pathetic number. and comparing yourself with the average makes zero sense. 3k is a really low number and yet here you are giving advice about what you completely failed at. I'm not saying you are a bad writer. you seem like a good person and I enjoy your content but this makes no sense. if you were fat and wanted to lose weight would you go to a fat nutritionist? there's clearly something missing here. I'm not trying to discourage you or to be rude. I'm just pointing out the facts. I'm sorry but I will take advice about marketing from someone selling orders of magnitude more than just a mere 3k. I've written a few books and sold a lot more than 3k. I did no marketing. I'm not bragging but you are clearly trying to give advice on something you failed so far. doesn't mean you won't succeed a lot in the future. I'm sure you will fail a lot more in the future. It's fine. Failure is part of the process. you will have to fail a lot. just embrace it. learn with it. you are clearly already doing it. with that said I encourage you to keep going. this is obviously a very difficult market. it's overcrowded. the odds are against you. the best books aren't the ones who sell the most. you don't have all the tools and resources available at your disposal. it's really hard. it is what it is. I sincerely hope you can sell a lot more in the future and that you will succeed. I've nothing against you. I wish you all the best. I don't know you I've yet to watch more videos and to read you and I'm going to do it. so I can't even judge you. you might be an amazing writer. you are the one being rude actually, calling rude your viewers and people trying to help you. I honestly wish you a merry Christmas and that in the future you will redo this video when you sell like 30k and then 300k and more. all the best
Fellow authors, what are your favorite marketing tips and tricks? Let's help each other succeed!👇
I totally agree with the idea of being active on social media. I just got active on Instagram after 3 years (!!) and I recently created a Substack newsletter plus my own authortube channel here on YT. It's scary being vulnerable online but some of the authors who I follow are those that bit the bullet, show their faces and give glimpses into their lives. I want my readers to feel just as welcomed as those authors make me feel! ♡ Great tips, I'll keep them in mind when I have my debut out.
Yes! It can be scary putting yourself out there for strangers to judge, but I try to keep all my online spaces really positive and encouraging, so if anyone doesn't come in with those intentions, it's important to protect your space. And I think it's never too late to start 😊
Honestly, #1 is so important! I've been trying to market my books on and off on social media and when burnout really hits with it I've noticed it's because I'm way too focused on getting results vs building my community and showing my personality.
Yes!! It's so easy to get burnt out and very important to take breaks when you need them 🫶🏼
SO much this. I recently got a wakeup call and started relaxing and really just getting to know others on social media. I am starting to get follows from other authors and readers now. I am very goal-oriented so it has been difficult to know what to post on social media. I find just posting everywhere about everything is working.
Lindsey, I love your videos. As a beginning indie author I appreciate all the tips on marketing and what works, or doesn't. You have talked about your expenses for Adobe where you do your own formatting and covers. Can you do a video showing how you make your covers? Or the formatting? Many of us really need tutorial on these basics. Also, you show putting the next book cover at the end of the current book. Did you create this on Adobe? Can you show/tell us how you created it? Thank you for all your great tips.
Thank you so much, I'm glad it's helpful! I'd love to make a video on formatting! When I'm ready to format the third book in my series, I'll try to document the cover and formatting process and get a video out.
Nice video cute doggie too! I’m on my first book! Appreciate all the insights
Thank you for the video. I spend most of my time writing and getting the book ready. Orherwise, I do sporadic marketing, including a newsletter that doesn't serve me. I'll try to be consistent.
Hi Lindsey, I've written for years and studied Creative Writing at University. However, like a lot of us, the last 12 years have been consumed by corporate drudgery. I've really been focused on writing short stories, novels for the last 2 years and am hoping to get my first novel self published in the next 6 months. I just wanted to say I love your videos - you speak directly, give tangible real advice (not promising you'll make a gazillion book sales by following this one quick trick...) your content inspires me to keep writing!
That's so exciting that you've gotten back into writing! And thank you for such a sweet comment, I'm so glad it was inspiring 🫶
So I agree with a lot of what you’re saying in this video. I do have a question, I enjoy the short form videos on social media but the growth on my social media accounts have not grown in years. A lot of my posts are not receiving engagement. The analytics show that my posts are not reaching less than 10 people on each social platforms (IG and Twitter specifically). It can feel like my work is getting thrown out the algorithm. I’m under the belief that I may be shadowbanned.
What are your thoughts when you are faced with these challenges as an indie creator?
I find Instagram growth extremely difficult unless you’re using reels. I was on Instagram for years and was posting photos and carousels with barely any growth or engagement. But they’ve really been pushing reels for the last couple of years, trying to compete with TikTok.
I don’t really use twitter but I have an indie author friend who’s found some success by engaging with other author accounts who will share posts and making sure the links you’re using are affiliate links if you’re published through Amazon.
When it comes to marketing, it’s all about pivoting until you find something that works. Algorithms are always changing, but we have to remember that we’re trying to reach and connect with real people.
@@itslindseeey notes taken. thank you for sharing this!
Good advice - especially reminding people to set up an email list. Even more so, given what's happening with TikTok right now.
I think I'm gonna make a whole video about email marketing in the next couple of weeks. Ugh the TikTok drama 🤦♀️
@@itslindseeey I feel your pain - it must be a nightmare. I'm so behind the curve, I hadn't even gotten around to setting up a TikTok account 🤦♂
Yes, please do more about email marketing! Enjoying this presentation--great advice!
Thanks for watching! I'll for sure make a video some videos on email marketing; thanks for the suggestion!
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Lindsay, Thanks for the good info. I also have two published books out.
Thanks for dropping a comment! And congrats on your books!
Thank you you're very personable and your information is very useful Thank you much for sharing with us 🙏🏽❤️🔥🙏🏽
You're welcome! 😊 I'm glad you found it helpful!
Thank you so much for making this video. I'm just starting on, in fact I publish my first book on KDP just yesterday 11/10/24. And I'm looking for ways to amp up and make sales. Thank you again for sharing.
Congratulations on publishing your first book! 🎉
Good advice for the self published author; writing and marketing and more marketing and then writing. It is a lot like work. Liked and subscribed
I know, right? It's definitely a grind 😅
Thank you. Marketing is one of those things I have a problem with. For one thing, I'm old ... no really, I passed that half century mark two decades ago. I've been writing since I was 12 and discovered I was more interested in the story than the self insert gratification I was providing for my circle of friends in the same fandom. I did no marketing for my small fantasy anthology, and still managed to get two very nice reviews out of the six sales, neither of them family or friends. Having just finished a book in a totally different area of the genre, fantasy, I'm looking into marketing which scares me. Almost as much a pressing the send button did on submitting the anthology on KDP. So, thank you for your insights. Now I just need to fix the cover on the paperback version of the anthology and find a cover for the new book ... And maybe I'll work on the marketing angle while I'm panicking over those two.
This is actually so inspirational, I hope I'll still be writing at your age!
@@itslindseeey Ha! I just self-published my first novel at that age.
The idea of organic social media marketing is easy for those getting high reach but not those with zero reach
I never had traction on social media until I started using TikTok, and even then on average I'm only getting a few hundred views with a couple videos here and there getting more - and I still don't consider it "easy". It takes a lot of effort and experimentation. It's important to remember to try different things and do what works on an individual level.
Appreciate you always helping people ❤
Thanks friend, I do what I can 🫶
Thank you so much for sharing! I'm curious where you get your paperbacks printed at? IS? Because the images are printed so flawless and dark, showing up perfectly on video. I've tried that with Amazon printing, and there are always lines through the graphics and photos!
I actually get mine printed through Amazon's KDP! I know they can be a little inconsistent with their printing, but I personally have never had any big issues.
Can you tell me what you mean by tags in kdp? Or are you referring to the keywords in the backend of your listing?
Yes, sorry, referring to the 7 keyword slots we're given in the backend.
@ gotcha! Thank you! 😊
Good luck to you all. I wish you well.
Thanks so much
I've sold around 100 books on Amazon but haven't gotten any email addresses from anyone. I'm not understanding how to get the email addresses to do a newsletter. I have 3 novels that I'm struggling to promote because I know nothing about marketing. I've done Facebook ads and did ok doing them but it gets expensive so I stopped doing them and now I'm selling nothing. My posts on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok get views but not many likes and they're not helping my sales at all.
100 is awesome! Do you have the link to your newsletter or a QR code or something in your book to make it easily accessible?
Have you checked your reviews at all? Promoting is honestly one of the hardest parts about being an author, so you're not alone.
@itslindseeey Thank you. Those sales are all I have made in 10 years. My first book has been on Amazon since 2014. I have 3 books in total. I'm embarrassed to say 100 books is total for all 3 books not each book. I have a link in my books to my website which I lost during covid. Would it be beneficial to take my books down off Amazon and republish all of them with new ISBN and new info in the back of books? I would lose my valuable reviews though but the views aren't helping me sell my books anyway.
I don't have a newsletter because I don't have anyone to send it too. I don't know how to get email addresses to send a newsletter to. All the books were sold on Amazon therefore no way to get email addresses from those who previously bought my books.
Gotcha! No need to be embarrassed, selling books is HARD -- we're asking people to spend a good chunk of time on something they may or may not enjoy. I don't think it would make much of a difference to republish with a new ISBN, but you could try changing up your blurb or covers. If you want to shoot me an email (lindseyelizabethdesigns@gmail.com) of your book listings on Amazon, I'd be happy to take a look and let you know if I have any more specific thoughts/ advice.
@@itslindseeey That would be wonderful. Thank you.
Could you do a video on how to get reviews?
I'd love to make a video on this!
thank you!
Thanks for watching!
You didn't do timestamps so we could skip around like you said you would at the beginning of the video.
Oops, you're right! Wow six months in and no one’s mentioned that 😅 I’ll add them in the morning, thanks for letting me know!
I got them added 😊
@@itslindseeey ❤
what about running facebook ads ?
I don't do any ads, but I know there are a lot of people that do and I've heard kind of mixed reviews
You published at 15? I want to be like you when I grow up.
I've always been pretty entrepreneurial, lol
You published a book at 15?!
I did! Nobody stopped me 😂
@@itslindseeey Love it x
Your videos are very good and your editing skills are excellent, but your videos are not reaching many people. The main reason for this is that your videos are not SEO optimized. I am a TH-cam video SEO expert and would like to optimize your videos. Are you interested in this?
Thanks! I actually work in SEO as well for my day job, and am pretty happy with how the channel is growing right now.
not saying your books aren't good but if you just sold 1000 you shouldn't really be giving tips about marketing....
Research suggests that the “average” self-published, digital-only book sells about 250 copies in its lifetime. By comparison, the average traditionally published book sells 3,000 copies, but only about 250-300 of those sales happen in the first year.
also just what a.... rude thing to say to someone sharing advice. You don't have to take it. You don't have to watch. You don't have to comment.
@@itslindseeey yes I don't have to comment but fortunately there's a thing called free speech and I want to do it. just like you are free to publish whatever book. I wasn't rude I even said I wasn't saying you weren't a good writer. you certainly for sure and factually are a bad marketeer at least otherwise you wouldn't just sell 3000 copies. that's a pathetic number. and comparing yourself with the average makes zero sense. 3k is a really low number and yet here you are giving advice about what you completely failed at. I'm not saying you are a bad writer. you seem like a good person and I enjoy your content but this makes no sense. if you were fat and wanted to lose weight would you go to a fat nutritionist? there's clearly something missing here.
I'm not trying to discourage you or to be rude. I'm just pointing out the facts. I'm sorry but I will take advice about marketing from someone selling orders of magnitude more than just a mere 3k. I've written a few books and sold a lot more than 3k. I did no marketing. I'm not bragging but you are clearly trying to give advice on something you failed so far. doesn't mean you won't succeed a lot in the future. I'm sure you will fail a lot more in the future. It's fine. Failure is part of the process. you will have to fail a lot. just embrace it. learn with it. you are clearly already doing it.
with that said I encourage you to keep going. this is obviously a very difficult market. it's overcrowded. the odds are against you. the best books aren't the ones who sell the most. you don't have all the tools and resources available at your disposal. it's really hard. it is what it is. I sincerely hope you can sell a lot more in the future and that you will succeed. I've nothing against you. I wish you all the best. I don't know you I've yet to watch more videos and to read you and I'm going to do it. so I can't even judge you. you might be an amazing writer. you are the one being rude actually, calling rude your viewers and people trying to help you. I honestly wish you a merry Christmas and that in the future you will redo this video when you sell like 30k and then 300k and more. all the best
I would love to sell 1,000 copies of my book-that would be a tenfold increase!
1k sold self-published debut book is an amazing success!!!