tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post9077242670582365379..comments2024-03-27T01:07:03.944-04:00Comments on The Roses of Prose: How Do HOT Covers Affect Free Promotion? by Jannine GallantAlison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-36713505713936844632014-03-07T15:24:01.442-05:002014-03-07T15:24:01.442-05:00MJ, my stories are in between. They have some sex ...MJ, my stories are in between. They have some sex but not HOT sex. It's not closed door but I don't go into graphic detail. In other words, R rated. I'm confident bare chested isn't misrepresenting. I think you have to go with what your gut tells you as far as an appropriate cover.Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-45755011573396697242014-03-06T21:42:16.272-05:002014-03-06T21:42:16.272-05:00Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing! Timely for me ...Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing! Timely for me as I'm trying to get a book free and redesigning a cover for another book to see how it affects sales. I would worry that bare chested would misrepresent my work, too. Are yours steamy or sweet, Jannine? MJ Schillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921672646433078203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-23575856509333476492014-03-02T20:01:13.505-05:002014-03-02T20:01:13.505-05:00Maggie, I was pretty worried only to have 4 review...Maggie, I was pretty worried only to have 4 reviews going into my free period. More will definitely give you a better chance with the more prestigious freebie listing sites. It's so hard to balance all the factors. Now I'm getting the reviews, so I hope it'll help to keep the momentum going. Glad you had success with your free days!Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-19491805595813676772014-03-02T19:55:45.354-05:002014-03-02T19:55:45.354-05:00I agree, Ally. AJ, too, made this point. You can&#...I agree, Ally. AJ, too, made this point. You can't mislead the reader. There's a fine line between attracting attention and trying to sell something that isn't between the covers. I think a bare chest works with an R rated book. However, if you put two naked people on the front, readers will expect x-rated. We have to keep it real. I was THRILLED to find out TWRP would let us make cover suggestions now. I found my cowboy, and they went with it. But, you still get the guidance of someone who knows what they're doing. It's win-win for everyone.<br />Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-61579636030262573112014-03-02T19:29:43.770-05:002014-03-02T19:29:43.770-05:00I'm a fan of the free promotions, especially i...I'm a fan of the free promotions, especially in a series. The key seems to be coming into the free period with the requisite currency: reviews. I don't know how many downloads I had for Hot Water because I've already boxed up that file (moving in the near future), but I had the highest royalties with my romance publisher in 2013 as a result of that freebie.<br /><br />Great post, Janine!Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-9099250145965729512014-03-02T18:48:54.067-05:002014-03-02T18:48:54.067-05:00One more thing, about covers, I also never wanted ...One more thing, about covers, I also never wanted 'skin' on my covers, but I do believe those sell better. My problem is, if the book doesn't deliver on the near naked promise (it's only 'semi' hot), then I'm afraid I'm misleading readers. And, I'm also glad TWRP is now allowing authors some input on covers. It's more work for the artists, but TWRP likes to make authors happy! :)Alicia Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12003539473772776004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-9326037873648166412014-03-02T18:47:15.115-05:002014-03-02T18:47:15.115-05:00Wow, lots of comments on this one! Thanks for your...Wow, lots of comments on this one! Thanks for your analytical and informative post. I am begninning to think that freebies do not get the results they used to because they are so commonplace. I am very impressed with your download numbers and with the download numbers of some of the commenters. If you're getting your work in that many hands, you have a good shot at growing a readership.<br /><br />I agree it's much more effective if you have other titles out there. I don't really think of it as lost sales, because it's not all that likely that those particular readers would have purchased your book anyway.Alicia Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12003539473772776004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-41810429570375261912014-03-02T18:33:54.507-05:002014-03-02T18:33:54.507-05:00Good point, AJ. When people have certain expectati...Good point, AJ. When people have certain expectations and don't get it, they're pissed. My books are somewhere on the low end of R rated. I fully agree you have to temper the cover to fit the rating. Otherwise, you're just Asking For Trouble. (pun intended!)<br /><br />I've thought about putting my indie series on other sites besides Amazon but haven't for the very issue of wanting to keep my "free" options open. I may just want to use it again somewhere down the road.<br /> Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-54015248280223196592014-03-02T17:57:11.284-05:002014-03-02T17:57:11.284-05:00I really enjoyed this post, Jannine. Great job. An...I really enjoyed this post, Jannine. Great job. And I agree the sexy cover is the seller. I purposely went outside my normal "no skin on the cover" with She's Got Dibs and got around 20K downloads while it was free. And it's funny because the cover was recently featured in a USA Today article all thanks to my dear friend Mackenzie Crowne, and I immediately saw an upsurge in sales. Nothing to write home about but, still, more sales than I had gotten on that book in a while...especially since I haven't really been promoting it. The other side to this is that I have received criticism because of the cover as well. A lot of people commented in their reviews that the cover did not match the story. That they expected a really different story because of the racy cover (I'm not sure in what way they expected the difference because no one told me). I think there is a fine balance between matching the two -- the cover and the story -- to meet reader expectations. Just something for all of us to think about moving forward.<br /><br />I would love, love, LOVE to try and go free for a bit again, especially with the first installment of The Golden Key. But I'm not sure that would work since the book has been out a while and is already listed on other sellers besides Amazon. I forgot about that exclusive deal they had...crap. LOL<br /><br />Thanks for the thought-provoking post and doing this homework for us! xAJ Nuesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16010557416505335378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-26178060890865170602014-03-02T17:14:09.328-05:002014-03-02T17:14:09.328-05:00Always happy to make a person think, Betsy. You...Always happy to make a person think, Betsy. You're very proactive in your approach to promo, and more power to you for that!Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-12412270027573943302014-03-02T16:57:27.426-05:002014-03-02T16:57:27.426-05:00We all know covers sell books. And romance novels ...We all know covers sell books. And romance novels need hot, sexy guys to grab attention. All things considered, this works. I want my books in readers hands. I spend time courting librarians and indie book stores. So far, so good. Time will tell when book two of the series comes out. Good post, Jannine. Lots of things to think about.Betsy Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871010122475160477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-34043132592124199862014-03-02T13:56:51.420-05:002014-03-02T13:56:51.420-05:00Mary, the whole point is getting our prose in the ...Mary, the whole point is getting our prose in the hands of readers. If the cover does that, more power to the cover! LOLJannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-85080738919304318612014-03-02T13:26:51.523-05:002014-03-02T13:26:51.523-05:00Wow, Jannine! Loved reading this post, and as a fo...Wow, Jannine! Loved reading this post, and as a former bookseller for Borders, (romance)I can definitely say that the cover sells! Oh yes! Now that I have my own book being released soon, I'm thrilled by the cover. Yes, I want the prose to sell it and I'm taking advantage of the free days from KDP, but in the end, I know what will drive those readers to "want" that book -- the cover! <br /><br />I can't tell you what a joy listening and learning to each of my WRP authors...You ladies rock! Mary Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11999861032120466782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-9772750392352050902014-03-02T13:11:22.515-05:002014-03-02T13:11:22.515-05:00Nancy, it's certainly easier when you self-pub...Nancy, it's certainly easier when you self-publish or your book is a new release. The only problem with free on Amazon is it has to be exclusive to KDP. If your book is up on other sites, they will only price match.Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-86684810454462081882014-03-02T13:05:37.004-05:002014-03-02T13:05:37.004-05:00I'm finding all of this is very intresting rea...I'm finding all of this is very intresting reading, Jannine. I've heard from other sources about the first book of a series being FREE increases sales of the subsequent books but I've never yet been able to try it out. Though, since Book 3 of my historical romantic adventures is due end March, maybe I should see if my publishers would entertain the 'free' option for a while. Nancy Jardine Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12366248895961876075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-61969926085468216132014-03-02T12:24:04.717-05:002014-03-02T12:24:04.717-05:00Alison, your cover jumps off the page. It's no...Alison, your cover jumps off the page. It's not bare-chested, but it's still sexy. You did a phenomenal job with it. And it's a great story. When you have the second book in the series ready, put Unwritten Rules back up for free and watch it sell the next one for you! Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-16065893545912716102014-03-02T12:19:48.060-05:002014-03-02T12:19:48.060-05:00Sherry, I think you're right! People DO judge ...Sherry, I think you're right! People DO judge a book by its cover. Until we are so famous our name sells the book for us, covers do matter. No one will read the blurb if they don't notice the cover first and pick it up. (Or in the world of digital, click on it!)Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-26493553967347768472014-03-02T12:03:38.106-05:002014-03-02T12:03:38.106-05:00I've only done one freebie, and I'm sure t...I've only done one freebie, and I'm sure the cover had a lot to do with its success. I designed it myself to jump off the page with strong contrasting colors and a woman's black-stockinged legs (she's also wearing a very short red dress and holding a gun between her legs). It definitely suggests sexy, although this is the least explicit of all my full-length books. It got 20K downloads and 60 Amazon reviews so far. The surprising thing to me (although it shouldn't be) is how many men have read and enjoyed it. Most never realized they were reading romance.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-12164387879533247452014-03-02T11:20:54.579-05:002014-03-02T11:20:54.579-05:00Of all my books the cover to Vidal's Honor is ...Of all my books the cover to Vidal's Honor is the most striking. Being a Regency there's no naked men on the front, so I can't even claim that for its success. Vidal's Honor is one of 4 books that have gone to print editions, and when I take them to fairs it is still Vidal's Honor that draws attention, even though another cover has as much impact. I've come to the conclusion that covers matter far more than most readers will admit and most authors realise.<br />SherryGLoaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16934189163201067429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-45384433657693710042014-03-02T11:08:24.524-05:002014-03-02T11:08:24.524-05:00Oops, answered too soon. On my Secrets of Ravenswo...Oops, answered too soon. On my Secrets of Ravenswood series, the free book had the strongest sales right off the bat. That tapered after a week and the other two (especially the 2nd one) started getting far more sales. I didn't notice anything happening with my other books that weren't part of the series. With Asking For Trouble, I'm getting sales for both it and Nothing But Trouble. Also a few for my other series, but not many more than I was before the free days. Free seems to affect other books in the free series far more than the rest of your body of work.<br />Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-30641742015469032452014-03-02T11:01:48.525-05:002014-03-02T11:01:48.525-05:00That's amazing, Niecey! I saw the same thing w...That's amazing, Niecey! I saw the same thing with We'll Never Tell. Strong sales for almost a month before they tapered off into nothing much at all. With this last book, I've had a week of a handful of sales every day. Not spectacular but better than before. My bare-chested cowboy got me the downloads but that's it. Good luck with yours.<br />Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-73751808587433297492014-03-02T11:00:05.844-05:002014-03-02T11:00:05.844-05:00Also, I think if a an author does a freebie when t...Also, I think if a an author does a freebie when they have other books for readers to purchase right after they read the freebie that would help tremendously! My freebie was done when I didn't have another book to offer. Janine, did you notice a spike in sales with your OTHER books that weren't after one of your freebie sales? Niecey Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05273173076593271518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-88799723723895006672014-03-02T10:56:55.149-05:002014-03-02T10:56:55.149-05:00I'm just now venturing into the shirtless cove...I'm just now venturing into the shirtless cover... Crossing my fingers it results in good sales *winks* I'll also be trying my first freebie since TWRP had my debut novel, Fender Bender Blues for free! I did so well with that freebie (if we're talking downloads) at around 58,000 downloads, I believe it was. Sales spiked for about a month after, and dropped offNiecey Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05273173076593271518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-68763364813295880142014-03-02T10:43:05.502-05:002014-03-02T10:43:05.502-05:00Are we clones, Vonnie? I also requested no skin on...Are we clones, Vonnie? I also requested no skin on all my books. I wanted lovely, beautiful scenes. When they completely ignored me and gave me a hot guy on Nothing But Trouble, I nearly had a heart attack! Then (shocker!) I started selling more books. Live and learn, right? I guess if we want beautiful scenery, we should go to a museum not the top selling books on Amazon!<br />Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692098634695675967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-2702362927255885672014-03-02T10:32:55.044-05:002014-03-02T10:32:55.044-05:00I've learned a lot in my nearly 4 years as a p...I've learned a lot in my nearly 4 years as a published author. I liked titles that were less "Harlequin-esky" and more meaningful to the content of the book. WRONG!! Little sales. I was determined not to have a naked man's chest on my covers. There are so many like that out there, it's downright comical. I always wrote on my cover sheets "No naked men!" WRONG!! Little sales. <br /><br />Calvin and I talked it over. He suggested I release my rigid ideas and try what everyone else was doing. So with my first HarperImpulse title, I went with "Santa Wore Leathers" and left my typical no skin request off my cover form. With a racier title and cover, my sales went higher. I'm eager to see my cover from Random House for A HIGHLANDER'S OBSESSION, which was their choice for the title after they adamantly refused my When Paisley Meets Plaid (Paisley is my heroine and the first time she meets her Scottish hero, he's wearing his kilt). They also frowned on A Highlander's Beloved; not quite racy enough.<br /><br />What a business!!Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07360480832587538895noreply@blogger.com