Effrosyni Moschoudi was the very first one to suggest to me this little trick, and I have since used it with all my books. Now, Jonathan Gunson has written a great post with the same easy way to sell more books, as a comment on a presentation by Goodreads CEO Otis Chandler.
In a survey of Goodreads’ 15 million strong membership, he found that the main driver of eBook purchases was, unsurprisingly, ‘referral by a friend’. But when a follow-up question was put to readers, another powerful sales strategy for authors emerged.
They were asked: “What do you want to do when you get to the end of a book?”
The telling response was that 83% wanted to see what else the author had written.
Here’s the actual slide from Chandler’s presentation:
How Can Authors Take Advantage Of This ‘Show Me More’ Moment?
If most readers finish books and immediately want to know what else the author has written, then why not give them exactly what they want.
By including a highly visible link to your next eBook right there at the end of your first eBook, you can take advantage of this ‘show me more’ opportunity, and make instant sales. If they click on the link, it takes them straight over to Amazon, where they can buy your next eBook straight away.
Think about it. There’s no question that a reader will be most susceptible to buying your next book immediately after finishing your first one. Having enjoyed a fully immersive story experience for several hours, there’s no better time to pitch your next story.
This may seem blindingly obvious, but the reality is that most authors aren’t doing this yet. With an easy link path to follow, and an attractive blurb and cover image right there too, a significant number of readers will click on the link and go across to Amazon to check out your other books. And if you have a series, this linking strategy might even mean they buy the whole series in one hit.
How To Include A Link To Your Next eBook
On the first blank page at the end of your eBook, put a highly visible link to the webpage where they can buy your next book (or books). e.g. link to each book’s Amazon page. You’ll also want to include a decent sized picture of the book cover in each case, as this will act as a highly persuasive promotional billboard.
In addition to this, add an intriguing book blurb with a few descriptive paragraphs about the story, settings, characters and theme. If you do want to include some chapters, then be sure the free sample ends at a cliffhanger point.
Make Sure Your Amazon Pages Do Their Job Too
This ‘hot to buy’ moment at the conclusion of an eBook is another reason it’s crucial to have both your individual Amazon book pages and your main Amazon Author Page up to date and working hard for you.
Readers look at these pages when making decisions, so fill out all the sections on these pages properly.
Make sure your books are in the right categories with relevant tags, put relevant information about yourself on your Author Page, and include fascinating ‘teaser’ blurbs for your books on their respective pages.
Caveat
Olga pointed out the following:
“Beware if you sell books in other platforms. In general is not a problem, but Apple does not accept any links that it considers advertisements for others, so I ended up adding my links and links to my website rather than to places like Amazon.”
Jonathan Gunson’s original post on easy way to sell more books includes Chandler’s entire presentation, links and other goodies, so be sure to check it out.
You could also remind people of your work at the end of each post. Here’s an example: why not read my children’s book, Runaway Smile, online for free?
Reblogged this on DeAnna Ross and commented:
As a reader it doesn’t shock me that so many folks wanted to know what else an author has written. When I like a writer I usually look up their other books too *SO* take this advice and be sure to include that link in your ebooks! Check out the full post by following the link below.
Reblogged this on Michelle Eastman Books.
Some great ideas, Nicholas. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Reblogged this on cicampbellblog and commented:
Good tip from Nicholas Rossis.
Authors, are you doing this?
You should, according to a Goodreads survey.
Reblogged this on Everything Indie and commented:
Now why didn’t I think of that? Well, actually, I did, but Nicholas says it much better in his blog. Don’t forget to read bestselling author Jonathon Gunson’s original post at BestsellerLabs!
This is great information. While I did put a link to my other book at the end, I never thought to add a graphic of the cover and I believe that’s very smart. Thanks for this and also I LOVED Runaway Smile. Great message, true, but also very fun to read. Passing it along to my daughters who are teachers to read to their kids. I expect rave reviews!
That is so kind of you – thank you!!! 🙂
Thanks for the tip! I am now following your blog, and I’ll share a link to it with my fellow authors in the Indie Book Boosters Club.
That’s so kind of you – thank you and welcome! 🙂
I am nearly ready to publish my second book in a trilogy, having built up amazing reviews but a very small email list, perhaps partly down to the lack of clickable link to my website/amazon page. Like others, I’m sure, I published my first novel before I knew this trick… I thought I was on the ball by including my website address at the front, especially since it had barely any content (I realise now, I should have included it at the end of the book too especially as it doesn’t even appear in the ebook version!) but when I tried to add a clickable link to my ebook recently, I got into a right pickle.
I’m published through Createspace who generate the interior of the paperback which is then used as the ebook interior. I was told I couldn’t change anything without the costly, lengthy process of submitting changes, waiting to receive a physical proof copy in the post to check etc before the new version would be published and a replica ebook. I was also confused as to whether this would count as a second edition, with all the complications that might ensue?
Surely I am missing something here and there is a way for me to just add this half line of print to the end of my own ebook without the whole rigmarole of reprinting my entire book through Createspace?? Can anyone help, please?
Thanks for that. I, too, publish through Createspace (CS). While it’s true that you need to have the interior rechecked, there is a very easy way of uploading and checking everything without a proof.
When you’re asked to upload your new file, you are told it will be checked by CS. Come back the next day and you will see you have two options: to either order a physical proof, OR to use the digital proof. If you select the latter, you will be taken to a virtual mockup of your book, where you can view it as it will appear in the final form. If you okay this, then the book is available to your readers right away.
And no, it doesn’t have to count as a second edition, nor are there any costs involved (this is all free).
Hope this helps! 🙂
That’s brilliant to hear, Nicholas and a brilliant help! Thanks so much for taking the time to pass on this information – truly appreciate it.
Glad to help. Just let me know if you have any further questions 🙂
Reblogged this on poroshanko and commented:
I want to write a book first.
Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
Smart advice!
Reblogged this on Fiction Addiction and commented:
Some good advice for those published, as well as those (like myself) considering publishing their work as an e-book.
(Plus, if you’ve only written one story you think is publishable, this trick is definitely an incentive to write/rewrite some more!)
Reblogged this on chrismcmullen and commented:
Simple & compelling.
This has become normal practice in paper books except you can’t get an instant link. Fantastic opportunity to strike while the flame is h.o.t. 😀
Thank you for sharing.
Couldn’t have put it better myself 🙂
Reblogged this on Books and More.
Great data, Nicholas. Will do it with my next book!
Awesome, I’m glad to hear it 🙂
Great idea Nicolas. I’m putting this on my to do list for when I re-release my books with new cover art. I will definately include this.
Super, I’m glad you found it useful 🙂
Beware if you sell books in other platforms though. In general is not a problem but Apple does not accept any links that it considers advertisements for others, so I ended up adding my links and links to my website rather than to places like Amazon.
I didn’t know that. Thanks for letting me know, I’ll add it to the post!
Reblogged this on sherriemiranda1 and commented:
Well, I better get crackin’! I have some of the prequel written & know what the main storyline looks like so time to get back to writing! I also have an idea for a sequel! 😉 <3
Reblogged this on Wendy Anne Darling and commented:
Fabulous – and very simple – way to expand your book sales for FREE. As soon as I’m done with my second book, this will be the first thing I’ll do!
Reblogged this on Silver Threading and commented:
More great information on how to sell your books!
Thank you for sharing. When my next book is published I will do that.
Great, I’m glad the post helped 🙂
Great information, Nicholas! Have “pressed” to reblog on another day 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for that! 🙂
Reblogged this on FaeStruck's Reviews & Musings and commented:
Great blog by Nicholas Rossis
Great Idea! As a reader I would definitely use the link.
Same here 🙂
Reblogged this on Finding Myself Through Writing and commented:
This neat little trick could give you great results in your ebook sales. And it doesn’t cost to put the plan in action! Thanks Nicholas for this enlightening article. ~Elle
As a reader, I can honestly say this works.
Cool, thanks for the feedback! 🙂
Reblogged this on wwannwrites and commented:
If you sell ebooks on Amazon, or any other ebook store, this is a great way to sell more of your books. I have seen links to books in a series on ibooks by a new author I have read. When I read the first book in the series for free, I ended up buying the rest of the Walker Island Romance series by Lucy Kevin.
Interesting. I actually use a ‘Previous Installments’ page at the beginning and a ‘Continued In’ page at the end. The reason is because I usually don’t have the next book ready for a link. I guess that brings up this question: What do you do if your next book isn’t out yet? (Unless you mentioned this and my sickly butt missed it.)
In your case, I can’t think of a better way to do it, as all your books are part of a series 🙂
I’ve actually been trying to figure out what to do when I get into another series. I’ve seen some authors put a series list at the beginning. Also I wonder how multi-genre authors do it. Is it a good idea to promote one genre in a different genre?
I only promote cross-genre when I have too few books in a genre. The Power of Six (sci-fi short stories) does link to Pearseus, and even has an excerpt. However, I wouldn’t promote Runaway Smile (children’s book) there.
Mind you, now that I’m about to publish the next short story collection (yes, you heard it here first), I’ll link Po6 to the new collection instead.
Sci-fi and fantasy are closely related, so maybe you can promote both alongside each other. Just think about how often you see ‘Science Fiction/Fantasy’. Most of the fantasy and sci-fi fans that I know read both genres too. For some reason I keep thinking about the first ‘Thor’ movie where he explains that magic and science are one and the same in Asgard.
That’s why I did it. Even so, I feel more comfortable with the collections promoting each other.
Wow. This seems like an excellent way to push sales. I know, as a reader, I’m always interested in the next book, and often don’t know which one in the series comes after the book I just finished. Off to check out Jonathon’s post. Thanks for this, Nicholas! Bookmarking for future use.
Super, glad you found it useful! 🙂
Did you buy his Twitter for Authors program? If so, what did you think?
Actually, I haven’t. My Bible on the subject is Rayne Hall’s book, Twitter for Writers (https://www.amazon.com/Twitter-Writers-Authors-Tweeting-Success-ebook/dp/B00KUCPG6G)
And only .99. Sold! Thank you!
I hope you’ll find it as useful as I did 🙂
More top tips for authors Nicholas. I might even be inspired to actually write a book!
Best wishes from Norfolk. Pete.
That’s so kind – thank you! 🙂
Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
Good advice for all writers…
All standard practice for any writer these days Nicholas. 😉
True enough!
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Now THIS makes good sense 😀
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Excellent tip on how to sell more books. All my Ebooks have a section at the end with book covers and descriptions with where to buy them. The other suggestion I would make is that when asked for you book link to buy give them your Amazon author page where all your work is featured. But that page needs to be up to date and also have a bio, photo and a good idea to link to Twitter etc. Thanks Nicholas.
Very useful to know. Thanks for this! 🙂 I think the point can be extended to other platforms apart from eBooks as well. (In my case, serial fiction, but probably also others.)
As Frostie said in her comment, it’s been common practice in paperbacks for a while now (I had no idea, to be honest, as I mostly read ebooks nowadays) 🙂
Thanks for this…it’s nice to know I have done something right in my new book.
Glad to hear it 🙂
Awesome survey! I’ve just read all the stats on Jonathan’s site – so much to digest! Thank you for sharing, and for the mention. This practice has been going strong in paperbacks by successful authors for years, so it was a no brainer for me to do that. It’s great to hear via this survey that readers still want to read more at the end of the book 🙂 Easy-peasy way to keep them around as fans, right?
Thanks for the great tip 🙂
Lie in the fetal position, depressed, demanding to know why it had to end.
Lol – that works, too 😀
Thanks for that…
Hope you find it useful 🙂
I do indeed!