Tuesday, October 11, 2011

FREE!! And What That Might Mean



It is with a great deal of excitement that I write this post.  As of late this afternoon, Viridis is now free on Amazon!!  I can't tell you how excited I am! I'll admit, I was worried that if Amazon didn't make Viridis free, then my marketing strategy for this series would have been sunk.  It was a risk I was willing to take, and it now appears to be paying off.

I know that offering a book for free is still controversial.  Some argue that it devalues the book and my work.  However, I'm willing to take that risk if it means more people will download my book, and then perhaps enjoy it enough to want to purchase the second.  This means getting Viridis into the hands of as many people as possible.  Does that mean everyone will read it?  Doubtful.  But I do think the number of people that will download it and read it now that it's free, will outweigh the number of those that would purchase the book at a price and read it.

And so far the numbers are encouraging, and lead me to believe it was a risk worth taking.  On Sept 1, I uploaded Viridis onto Amazon and sold, at $.99, approximately 114 copies.  This evening, Viridis went free on Amazon, and in the last 4.5 hours there have been 123 copies downloaded.  I have to say, I'm blown away by the difference in numbers, and if getting the first book into the hands of readers is key in getting them to buy the second, then I think going free, especially as an unknown author, is the way to go-- for me at least.

Can't wait to see how this all plays out!  And for those interested in reading the second book in the series, Devil on a Sparrow's Wing, it should be out in just a few weeks.  There was a bit of a delay when I had a plot epiphany.  Gotta love it when that happens!  : )

12 comments:

Christine Murray said...

Best of luck with it! I think free books work best when they are part of a non-free series.

Cali MacKay said...

Thank you, and I completely agree, Christine! I think it helps readers get over the risk of an unknown author when the book is free, however time and creativity was put in, and I do think charging for the rest of the books should be expected.

Jemi Fraser said...

Plot epiphanies are so much fun ... and so much work! The increase in numbers is really incredible - definitely supports your strategy!

Cali MacKay said...

Jemi, they really are fun! I just wish it had come a bit sooner. : ) The numbers have really been surprising. I do think it was the right strategy for my book.

Sistahsunflower said...

I am excited for you and wish you well. I am eagerly awaiting your next installment, and am spreading the word!

Cali MacKay said...

Thank you so much for spreading the word and the well wishes, Sistahsunflower!! It's much appreciated! The next installment should be out this weekend. *fingers crossed*

Tanya Reimer said...

Neat marketing idea!

Tanya Reimer said...

Neat marketing idea!

Cali MacKay said...

Thanks, Tanya! Here's hoping it works. : )

ReaderRebecca said...

Honestly I had no interest at all in steampunk and didn't even know what it was before I saw Viridis free on Amazon! I was interested in the alchemy so decided to give it a try and fell in love! You are an amazing writer and you created characters so real and so easy to love! Thanks so much and best wishes always! God bless!

ReaderRebecca said...

Honestly I had no interest at all in steampunk and didn't even know what it was before I saw Viridis free on Amazon! I was interested in the alchemy so decided to give it a try and fell in love! You are an amazing writer and you created characters so real and so easy to love! Thanks so much and best wishes always! God bless!

Cali MacKay said...

Rebecca, I'm simply overjoyed that you've enjoyed Viridis!! Thank you so much for your kind words. Wishing you all the best!