Just noticed a blog: A new story posting soon. It made me wonder whether this was a one-off, simply an announcement about what the author planned, or a scheduled build-up for their story. If so, does this approach work? Does pre-announcing stories lead to increased demand. Does anyone have any evidence on which techniques work and which don't (principally, which days or which promotions work and which don't).
e-announcing stories
I do these for each of my stories, but mostly because, when there's space between stories or a story comes to an end, I start getting a lot of "when's the next one coming" emails.
Also, for the times I've done this, I get more early engagement than the times I haven't done this, so it does seem to increase demand, but that is a totally anecdotal observation, so, YMMV.
for the times I've done this, I get more early engagement than the times I haven't done this, so it does seem to increase demand, but that is a totally anecdotal observation
Still, it answers my question, that it does seem to increase demand, at least to some degree.
Unfortunatley, I've got my next story ready to go, but I try to time the release of my next SOL story with the release of my next book, which isn't yet ready, so I can hardly start announcing anything yet. :(
Do you notice any particular tends on this type of announcement (i.e. if you normally post during the week, do you post the pre-announcement on a different day to reach a different demographic)?
The sample size is to small to be sure, but it doesn't seem to matter. It does matter if you announce close enough to the release. A week out seems to be the furthest I'd go, since there seems to be a drop off in demand further than that.
Although this time I announced 2 weeks out, but then put out more specifics on the announcement and a "sneak peak" of a third a chapter with it, which has gotten good response. We'll see if that worked after the story launches.
Some authors announce their story will be available on a date a week or two in the future and you can pre-order to buy the whole e-book. I believe that works for authors where the reader knows them well. I've bought a few stories that way from authors I trust. However, I've also seen some authors issuing announcements of stories to come in a month's time - I don't both with them at all, because it's too far out for me to be sure it's safe to deal with them, and I don't see any merit when all they're doing is saying a serial will start in some weeks time - I'd rather they do that when it starts.
I announce when a story is being posted and available, or revised.
However, I'm sure others feel different about it.
a date a week or two in the future
This I agree with. A month seems to be too much lead time. A week seems to be the best option.
Does pre-announcing stories lead to increased demand.
I think it does basically one thing. It lets your fans here know what your current plans call for. Some will like that others will just take a wait and see attitude. Outside of your fans I have no idea what the actual effects will be.
Does anyone have any evidence on which techniques work and which don't
Automobile manufactures seem to think the technique works. They hype their next year's model all the time to drum up interest in their product. It seems to work for them.
Coca Cola did a similar ad campaign for their New Coca Cola a few years back, and it created a great deal of consumer interest.
Coca Cola did a similar ad campaign for their New Coca Cola a few years back, and it created a great deal of consumer interest.
Which blew up in their face as soon as consumers got the product into their hands.
If you are going to hype a new product that much, it had better live up to the hype.
it had better live up to the hype
I don't drink coca cola, but tried the two versions out of curiosity. I couldn't taste any difference, so laughed my ass off when the ads got them in trouble.
Like a product, if you are going to hype a story, it needs to be good.
I don't drink coca cola, but tried the two versions out of curiosity. I couldn't taste any difference, so laughed my ass off when the ads got them in trouble.
Like a product, if you are going to hype a story, it needs to be good.
I despised the New Coke at the time, but it's making a comeback recently. It's now popping up everywhere, and tired of the same old fountain sodas everywhere I go, I've started drinking it, as it's at least different than the other options.
It's still not terrific, but when you're at a vending machine offering 40 different options, most of which are simply cherry flavoring in the same old Pepsi and Coke products, without offering any real alternatives, you sometimes get desperate from something different!
Pepsi and Coke products, without offering any real alternatives, you sometimes get desperate from something different!
Dr Pepper.
Pepsi and Coke products, without offering any real alternatives, you sometimes get desperate from something different!
Dr Pepper.
Birch Beer
As an alternative to soda pop of any brand, try something alcoholic. Beer, wine, liquor, grain alcohol, torpedo fuel, or mixtures with other flavorings, like lemon or orange juice.
something alcoholic
My drink of choice is pretty simple. 16 ounce glass. 3 ounces of Seagrams Honey in the bottom. Pour 5 ounces of Long Island Iced Tea into that. Add 6 ounces of cold Coke Zero (keep the bottle in the fridge). Put a couple ice cubes in, stir a bit, and then go sit down at the computer and write for a couple of hours while drinking.
Edit the next day when NOT drinking...
I think it depends on the author. If it's an author whose stories I enjoy, I'm anticipating his next endeavor and get excited when he announces it's arrival. If it's not someone I know and enjoy, I don't read the blog entry.
