Life is expensive. Just getting through the month in the black can sometimes be a challenge. For that reason, we all gravitate toward sales and feel like we've scored a victory when we get a great deal. I, for one, am a deal shopper in everything from clothes to groceries. Or maybe I'm just cheap...
Let's take a look at the price of life. It certainly varies from location to location. Homes are a prime example. In the United States, the median cost of a home is $217,000 (I looked it up in case you were wondering). In Tahoe City, the median price is $720,00. No wonder my husband says we have to move if we ever want to retire! Our gas prices here are also ridiculous. Currently, $4.29 per gallon for the cheap stuff. If you live in the South, you pay $2.55 per gallon. I can't even imagine such a windfall at the pump! But, average wages are higher in CA than in a lot of other places. In Tahoe, there is very little unemployment, although work tends to be seasonal. We all have our own set of challenges.
BUT, people everywhere seem to be willing to shell out $3 to $4 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks without batting an eye. And how about greeting cards. I spend 20 minutes scrounging through the shelves for a card that costs $3.50 because I REFUSE to spend $6 on a freaking birthday card!
Then there are books. No matter where you live, books cost the same. And, in general, they're a damn sight cheaper than a birthday card! I honestly get why no one is going to pay $15 for a Print On Demand book by an unknown author. But they'll pay $15 for a digital book by Nora Roberts! FIFTEEN DOLLARS!! I just checked and nearly fainted when I saw the price. And that book, her latest, is currently ranked #18 in romance! But when we price our digital books at $3.99, readers think they're too expensive. FOUR DOLLARS for hours of enjoyment!! A price they routinely shell out for a cup of coffee that will last fifteen minutes, or a birthday card someone will look at for fifteen seconds and then throw away. Yet the book, which will probably take a reader 6ish hours to finish, is too expensive? I just don't get it.
However, I'm game when my publisher puts one of my books on sale. Because if you can't spend 99 cents on a book, you're even cheaper than I am! All my BORN TO BE WILDE books are on sale for the entire month of October for only 99 CENTS!! If you haven't read this series, now is the time to start. Here is the link on AMAZON. Or pull up the links on my WEBSITE to purchase from other retailers. Happy reading!
17 comments:
This has been puzzling and annoying me for years now, Jannine. How about spending several HUNDRED dollars for a round of golf that lasts five hours compared to $3.99 for a book that you could enjoy multiple times?!
Kristen Lamb tackles this question in her book "RISE OF THE MACHINES: Human Authors in a Digital World." I haven't read it in several years but if I recall correctly, she attributes this to the cost in time, not just dollars. Readers are willing to spend money and time on a known author, but they're not always willing to spend both on an unknown. She says it's an issue of trust, whether the reader trusts that her time will be spent well. (If anyone has read it and needs to correct me--please do!)
It's an interesting theory that makes sense to me as a reader. I believe her solution (again, if I'm recalling correctly) is to build that trust over time through your other author channels, like blogging, newsletters and social media. Easier said than done, especially in these days of waning interest in all of the above!
BTW, if I didn't already have all your WILDE books, I'd buy them! What a deal! :-)
I’m with you as far as bargain hunting. In the stores I go straight to the clearance rack. I like to think I’m frugal, not cheap. Um...FYI...the many dollar stores that are popping up sell greeting cards for fifty cents and a dollar. Those are my go to stores for such things. Guess I can understand why most readers won’t take a chance on an unknown author. Fifteen dollars for an ebook, though, is truly amazing. Whatever the market will bear. If I’m doing the math correctly, you’re offering twenty four hours of reading pleasure for under five bucks. Not a bad deal...not bad at all. Think I’ll go pick them up, just ‘cause.
I rarely pay full price for anything anymore. We are retired (I don't really consider myself retired since I write) and have to watch the expenses. I do the dollar stores for cards too, Margo. As far as book prices, I think the industry shot itself in the foot with free books. If your don't have a name, you must give them away, right? I've read all the Wilde books. Darn! LOL
Trust. Interesting, Leah. So people trust Nora $15 worth, but they won't risk $4 on an unknown author. I've seen this theory play out with my Amazon ads, to some extent. People are willing to risk 99 cents on the first one when they see the ad (although I don't get a lot of clicks), but then they pay $2.99 for the 2nd and 3rd book once they trust they will like them. The problem is building that trust when no one reads blogs, and FB hides your posts!
Margo, no dollar store in Tahoe. I'm sure there are several in Reno, but that would require another stop. Plus, I'd have to plan ahead since I only go down there every month or two. I guess you might not have read all the Wilde books in their final format. Thank you!
You're a star, Brenda, for reading (and reviewing) them all! I don't think they've ever been on sale before. Well, maybe the first one. The problem with free books is that people don't even bother to read them after they download them. They have too many on their Kindles. At least if they make a 99 cent investment, they might feel compelled to give it a try!
I didn't worry about the cost of things much until I retired. Now, I'm the queen of bargains. CVS regularly sends me emails telling me I'm in the top 3% of California savers! I'm surprised your gas is so high since we're not that far away--ours is $3.66. However, I think I can top everyone for health insurance. I got a notice yesterday that my premium next year will be $1,438 A MONTH for what is basically the right to be self-insured!!! And yet, some people balk at $3.99 for an ebook. People are just strange.
So many good points here Jannine. I live in a very expensive area. Having just remodeled a house, I'm amazed at what gets done for so little on programs like Fixer Upper (Wace TX) and Property Brothers. And then, yes, readers expect free books. Apparently 2.99 is too much? Go figure.
Alison, I bought gas in Auburn on the way home from Tara's race. .90 cents less per gallon than in Tahoe. They gouge us here! Your insurance is unbelievable. I bet you can't wait for medicare to kick in. BTW, I made the meme all by myself. I guess I'm a big girl now. LOL It took me forever, but I've conquered "simple" on Canva.
Andrea, we watch those shows on HGTV where they buy a huge house for $200,000 and shake our heads. Not in CA or NY, that's for sure!
Yay you for your Canva success!
Thanks, Alison. It isn't fancy, but it's functional. I'll hit you up if I want fancy! LOL
I'll look for a bargain, but the item has to be high quality....so a REAL DEAL. I just played golf at a course with a $25 coupon I purchased at another event. I saved about $40 on the round. I spent $100 at an auction for an $82 bottle of wine I could share with my family and a Tour and Tasting for Eight people at a vineyard. The $ went to a cancer charity. So I'm careful about watching my money with the little stuff, but I'm willing to splurge on the vital stuff...food, wine, trips, etc. As for books, I don't mind paying $9.99, but over that, I have to really, really want the book...or I have to read it for book club. I agree with Alison...we are a strange genus.
It's not only that people want cheap books. I have a friend who every time one of my books come out says, "Be sure to give me one." What do you say to that? Do you lose a friendship? Or keep coughing up the print book for free?
Rolynn, I think we all have a few things we splurge on. It's all about priorities!
Judy, that's CRAZY! Tell your friend you actually have to buy the books, that you don't get them for free from the publisher. Maybe offer to give her one at cost? People should understand writing is a business like any other. Would she expect to walk into a friend's restaurant and get a free meal? She probably thinks you have a whole bunch of free books. I'd say something next time!
I pinched pennies until they squeaked while we were working. We didn't take fabulous vacations, but we did enjoy family events and vacations. We weathered three times when Hubs lost his job and didn't go into debt. Now that we're retired, we're both enjoying the results of the savings. I still look for bargains, but I'm willing to treat myself to pedicures (for instance) things I don't need but are fun. We like to eat out, but we also look for coupons and/or frequent diners' offers. And I love the dollar store. LOL
I love bargain books. I still won't pay $13.99 for an ebook no matter how much I like the author. I love discounted books to try out new authors. If I like them, I'll pay full price for future books. On the biz side, I put my own books on sale as "loss leaders" to get people to buy the other books in a series.
Diane, vacations for us were mostly camping. I bought my first non-used car in 30 years this year. But on the flip side, my husband goes skiing instead of to work on powder days, and I work part time at the paycheck job so I can write. Life can be a trade-off. You have to enjoy the journey. Yeah, these 99 cent sales are definitely loss leaders, but hopefully I'll gain new readers from it.
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