How I Launched an Amazon Bestseller

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  • Опубліковано 6 вер 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 111

  • @supacreator9103
    @supacreator9103 7 років тому +32

    Given that this video is the most recent, I'll comment here. 7 days ago I found your UA-cam channel. 6 days ago, I read 5,000 Words Per Hour and started the exercises. 5 Days ago I started waking up early and doing sprints for an hour. 1 Day ago I started noticing my mean WPH was increasing (though my writing at that speed is still awful). I have set a goal to finish a bad novel draft by the new year. I have set a goal to read at least one novel in genres I want to write in every month. It hasn't been long since I started following your advice, but I'm seeing productivity that dwarfs my previous pace. I want to improve, and I want to succeed in writing as a career. I think your advice will be my path to ascension.
    To cut the bullshit, thank you for sharing your methods for success. I hope to be back here in a year with a published book and a foothold into the world of novel writing.

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому +5

      Awesome. Keep after it. If you stay consistent, you will have a novel in your hands before you know it.

  • @craigandrews3262
    @craigandrews3262 7 років тому +3

    That's awesome! As you predicted, Tech Mage spiked higher than Behind the Lines, and on a much smaller advertising budget, so it definitely looks like a breakout release. Couldn't happen to a better guy in the indie community. Thank you for all that you do, Chris.

  • @DerekMurphycreativindie
    @DerekMurphycreativindie 7 років тому +9

    Congrats!

  • @niallr426
    @niallr426 7 років тому +4

    Delighted for you Chris - lots of hard work paying off :-)

  • @KnittingmommyArts
    @KnittingmommyArts 7 років тому

    Congrats on #1 in all three of your categories. I was just checking on authors in my genre and happened to see Tech Mage in slot #94 store wide. So, congrats on making it into the top 100 paid in the Kindle store, too. I've learned a lot from you. Looking forward to learning even more.

  • @dattatreyachakraborty8207
    @dattatreyachakraborty8207 5 років тому

    Your videos are gold. One of the most humble and genuine UA-camr out there

  • @mitchisamandu608
    @mitchisamandu608 6 років тому

    Let me just say I've red many of your books and this is the first time I SEE you....you are very different from what I imagined, hahaha! Thanks a million for your words of wisdom!

  • @CTMitchell
    @CTMitchell 4 роки тому

    I was excited to see Amazon Advertising for a 99 cent book and working. I’m yet to master that. Then I noticed your book was 300+ pages - mine are too short at 40 pages? I remember you from Kindling and Geoff Shaw was a big fan of the short reads.
    I’ve got your books - best I read them

  • @TariAkpodiete
    @TariAkpodiete 7 років тому +4

    great info on strategy. congrats on #1!

  • @bigphilly7345
    @bigphilly7345 7 років тому

    This is one of your best videos. I love how you prove it doesn't necessarily take a huge financial investment to hit bestsellers lists.

  • @crocodiledumbdee1567
    @crocodiledumbdee1567 7 років тому +2

    Thanks for sharing this Chris. I'm so glad your launch is a success!

  • @nrdywrdy
    @nrdywrdy 7 років тому

    Thanks for everything you do for indie authors, and congrats on breaking the Top 100!

  • @KeithWheelerBooks
    @KeithWheelerBooks 7 років тому

    Congrats, Chris! Up to 111 ranking over all, as of now!

  • @ACELeartes
    @ACELeartes 7 років тому +3

    I watched a lot of your videos over the last few days. In the past I was an avid reader and video game player. I guess I'll give this writing thing a shot and I'm very thankful for all your advice!
    Anyway, on to techmage, I just got it and started reading. I like it. You never gave Nara her name back after the mind wipe ;-)
    So far, I like it. But I'm only 22% in.
    EDIT; Whoops, you do give her name back later :-D

  • @gin.hollan
    @gin.hollan 7 років тому

    I loved what you said about using Facebook ads to find the right audience. Thanks again Chris, for sharing your insight and process. :-)

  • @adrianadascalu5908
    @adrianadascalu5908 7 років тому

    Congrats for your success, Chris and thanks for sharing all this info!
    I rarely comment on videos or articles I' m interested in, but I just had to this time.
    I've just found your channel (and books) a week ago and after binge watching the outline and 21day challenge series, You made me assess and reconsider my process and i can already see the results.
    I just love your no nonsense and thought provoking style!
    Keep up the good work!

  • @LucasW86
    @LucasW86 7 років тому

    I peeked when it showed it was #1 in all categories, and I just have to say, congratulations! :D

  • @deborahkelly791
    @deborahkelly791 7 років тому

    Excellent information, as usual. 🤗 you're one of my big inspirations. And, big heaps of congratulations for such a fabulous and successful launch. 🍾🎈🎉🍺🌟

  • @aisazia
    @aisazia 7 років тому

    Congrats Chris! Can't wait to dive in and thanks for sharing!

  • @DanAbsalonson
    @DanAbsalonson 7 років тому

    Nicely done Chris. Congrats! Also I didn't realize we could use HTML to format text in our book descriptions. Thanks!

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому

      It's technically not HTML and works a bit differently. It's called Markup and Amazon has a guide. Super helpful for things like bold text.

  • @iisaka_station
    @iisaka_station 6 років тому

    Hi Chris. I just found your stuff and boy am I glad. Thank you for all of the profound information you have shared on your channel to fellow writers. +1 subscriber and fan

  • @CarolAnnsArt
    @CarolAnnsArt 6 років тому

    Thanks for all the brilliant info - opened a new world to me.

  • @TimKnox2020
    @TimKnox2020 7 років тому

    Congrats buddy! Will follow your model the next time out.

  • @SarahMJordan
    @SarahMJordan 6 років тому

    Hey Chris, thanks so much for sharing your expertise. I'm really enjoying your videos and getting a lot of helpful info!

  • @2020Stryker
    @2020Stryker 7 років тому

    Congratulations on your successful launch! I would love to see a vid on how you put together your ads.

  • @Weird_Quests
    @Weird_Quests 6 років тому

    Great videos and is seriously invaluable advice for people who want to break into the industry - keep up the amazing work and I'll be checking out your books now too :D

  • @jeanpasquali2180
    @jeanpasquali2180 5 років тому

    Illuminating!

  • @pauls3585
    @pauls3585 7 років тому

    Congratulations, Chris.

  • @lintonbowers7432
    @lintonbowers7432 7 років тому

    I would love to see a book on your take on doig adds and refining them.

  • @AntoineBandele
    @AntoineBandele 6 років тому +3

    Where did you get those frames from? So sleek.

  • @hirrorstories
    @hirrorstories 5 років тому +3

    oh my God, I just found your channel and it's brilliant. I have a question how many hours a day you market vs write?

  • @IamE0N
    @IamE0N 6 років тому

    I agree about not shoehorning into categories... especially small ones. It's annoying in niche categories as a reader to have to dig through miscategorized works.

  • @parrydigm
    @parrydigm 7 років тому

    Chris - well deserved, I'm so happy for you :) Thanks very much for sharing so much detail. I might have missed it, but are you planning to share any actual ad copy that you used for the preorder phase? Love to see that ... but even if strictly confidential, thanks again for putting so much detail into such a short vid :)

  • @sashapatsel7170
    @sashapatsel7170 7 років тому

    Well Done! As always, thanks for all the tips.

  • @killiancarter9091
    @killiancarter9091 7 років тому

    Congrats Chris! Thanks for sharing this with us. Any chance you'd be willing to share a little more on what you do with FB ads? All the best with the rest of the series :)

  • @tomh.6261
    @tomh.6261 7 років тому

    Very exciting!! Congrats!

  • @acastsaca
    @acastsaca 7 років тому +3

    Congrats on the great release.
    RE: writing military sci-fi - do you have a military background? If not, what research/prep/craft do you do/use to satisfy that audience?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому +7

      I've never served. I do what research I can using documentaries, books, and talking to veterans. I also recruited many vets into my beta readers, and they're happy to tell me when I'm messing up. =)

    • @acastsaca
      @acastsaca 7 років тому +1

      During your drafts prior to your beta readers do you doubt your military knowledge? if, so how do you deal with it and not get bogged down in either too much research or get discouraged because you are writing about something sacred to others but foreign to you?
      secondarily: can you recommend the docos and book you used to research so that i may watch and read them as well?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому +1

      I absolutely doubt my knowledge on early drafts, but I accept that I'm going to have them. They'll get found before release, so I don't mind too much. I've gotten city names, customs, skin colors, accents and all sorts of other things wrong. Beta readers help spot those.
      For documentaries what era are you studying? Modern military? American Civil War? I've watched hundreds of documentaries, and there are good ones in almost every area.

    • @acastsaca
      @acastsaca 7 років тому +1

      The era I am studying is modern military behavior, culture, customs, lifestyle.

  • @DIYrogan
    @DIYrogan 7 років тому

    congratulations and best of luck.!!

  • @RobertBucchianeri--Author
    @RobertBucchianeri--Author 7 років тому

    Thanks, Chris. Great information. Congratulations.
    Brandon Sanderson, being traditionally published, is unlikely to be making anywhere near what you indicated on his sales. At a 9.99 sale price he probably gets less than 2 bucks.

  • @sylverbright
    @sylverbright 7 років тому

    Congratulations!!!! Thank you!

  • @Writerdominiquemondesir
    @Writerdominiquemondesir 7 років тому

    Well done fella!!!

  • @fablemaple3648
    @fablemaple3648 6 років тому

    That book released on my birthday...

  • @nicolaquinn7022
    @nicolaquinn7022 5 років тому

    Many congrats, Chris and thanks for this supremely useful video. Roughly how many books a day were you selling when you reached #1 and how long did it take to cover the FB ad? And at what stage is it ok to increase the price? Thanks, again.

  • @GailBecker-MSED-CM-Author
    @GailBecker-MSED-CM-Author 6 років тому

    Thank for making this video.

  • @AuthorJenniferNAdams
    @AuthorJenniferNAdams 7 років тому

    You talk about two ways to advertise in this video, will you make a video on how to advertise, or where to advertise?

  • @jaauerbach_author
    @jaauerbach_author 6 років тому

    Great video as usual Chris. How are you determining that you are serving the book to the "right audience" on Facebook? Are you talking about age/demographics or audience interests?

  • @nyakarundi
    @nyakarundi 6 років тому

    Just find your channel great videos and easy to understand but do you have a video that explain the process on how you find your audience and the different marketing strategy you use on Facebook?

  • @ladysnow3444
    @ladysnow3444 6 років тому

    I am about to publish my book, once my contractors are done with it. I was going to do a you tube video of advertising and put $300.00 in Facebook. Is that to much, to little, or fine?

  • @brandonellis2317
    @brandonellis2317 7 років тому

    Thanks Chris. A quick question: When does Amazon typically send mailers? Is it something they typically do 5 to 7 days after you put your book on Amazon?

  • @jblackstream
    @jblackstream 7 років тому

    In a previous interview, you said it’s important early on to protect your conversion rate and your also-boughts at Amazon. To train Amazon to sell your books, you need to make sure those first people coming to your page are people who 1.) Will buy your book and not just peek and leave, and 2.) Read other books in the genre, so they’re buying history will help populate your also-boughts in a good way.
    Now, you mention starting the preorder and not telling anyone, just using Facebook ads. Then you say after launch, you do well because you’d “found your audience” with those early preorder FB ads. So, my question is this: Does Amazon consider the conversion rate post launch as a different thing entirely than the preorder conversion rate? Or are the readers you’re finding even with the very first FB ads just that good that they have the good conversion rate you want? Are those preorder visitors/sales training Amazon, or does that training start only after the book is live for sale (not preorder)?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому

      I am often misquoted from the interview I did on SPP. If you go back and listen it's Johnny and Sean who say that conversion matters. I theorized that it might, but we have ZERO data proving that to be the case. It's all just assumptions, and I want to be clear about that.
      I suspect (again an assumption) that Amazon is measuring conversion, and that they are aware that preorders have much lower conversion than released books. But even as a preorder Tech Mage had very high conversion. So does the sequel, Void Wyrm.
      Those preorders are absolutely training Amazon, but more importantly they are training me. I now have a much, much better idea of who likes this book and who doesn't, and that makes it far easier to advertise. =)

    • @jblackstream
      @jblackstream 7 років тому

      Thank you for the clarification :) This is why I prefer single-person videos, lol. So even your early FB ads, the ones you start with before pruning down to the best ones, are getting readers who fill your also-boughts the way you want. That's excellent.

  • @jaydenrareproto
    @jaydenrareproto 7 років тому

    Watched and inwardly digested :)

  • @jwoodruff4993
    @jwoodruff4993 7 років тому

    Chris, where did your FB ads send the customer to? Was is your site or directly to Amazon? Any chance you could do a video on the ad itself? Many congrats man...looks like it's still ranking very well!

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому

      Sorry it took me so long to answer! The ads point directly to the Amazon sales page =)

  • @dmmcmah1
    @dmmcmah1 7 років тому

    Just curious what kind of ads on FB did you use to drive traffic to this book? Did you give away a freebie or are you trying to get a direct sale taking them right to the Amazon page?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому +1

      I take them directly to the product page, in this case for the preorder. I don't think gathering emails by giving away freebies is terribly effective via Facebook. You'll get signups, but few sales.

    • @dmmcmah1
      @dmmcmah1 7 років тому

      Thanks!

  • @draven9481
    @draven9481 6 років тому

    Hi Chris, so you're telling that it's better to have your book on preorder the first time than to publish it directly?

  • @dillonaugust2212
    @dillonaugust2212 7 років тому

    That's awesome, Chris! How is the success affecting your back log?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому +1

      It's too soon to really tell, but so far the bleed has been minimal. I'm hoping people who like Tech Mage might check out my MSF, but we'll see!

    • @dillonaugust2212
      @dillonaugust2212 7 років тому

      It will. Don't worry. Great job, man!

  • @jblackstream
    @jblackstream 7 років тому

    How do you keep the upward curve going after the book rises to full price? You only keep it at $.99 for the launch week, yes? Well, and the preorder. Do you find that the launch week is long enough that Amazon sells it for you? Do you think it would be enough without the preorder, just the launch week, or is that three week or so preorder crucial?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому

      The real answer is we simply don't know. I experiment with every book trying to hone in on the answer, and I believe the longer you can make a curve, the better. I don't think there's any critical period though. I know authors who do a 3 day preorder and get similar results, but they already know their audience =)
      As far as sustaining the curve, that's 100% on Amazon. After the first week I reduced add spend and stopped all other promotion. The book is still hanging on around #400, all based on Amazon pushing it.

  • @mwj5368
    @mwj5368 6 років тому

    Doesn't Amazon have a deal where if they get 100% of the profit from your book for a certain amount of time that they will do all the advertising? Is that a worthwhile route to go? If possible, I don't want to spend a lot of time at my computer trying to sell it. I'm thinking that if I have written a good story then I won't have to try to advertise it or do the option with Amazon to have them advertise it. Maybe that's a bad idea and just wondering if anyone might know. Thanks for your video!

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  6 років тому

      Amazon doesn't have any sort of deal like that, but they do run their own publishers. The one for SF, for example, is called 47North. They pay you 50% of royalties, and do most of the marketing and book preparation. It can be difficult to get a deal with them, but sounds like exactly what you are looking for.

    • @mwj5368
      @mwj5368 6 років тому

      Hi Chris! Very nice of you to take the time to respond! I guess I was remembering wrong, or a deal Amazon publishing had a long time ago. My story is only soft Sci-Fi with no alien beings or interplanetary travel and probably not strong enough to be in the Sci-Fi realm, I mean soft kind of like "Dandelion Wine" degree.
      Thanks!

  • @studio.liatiti
    @studio.liatiti 7 років тому

    Enjoy and goodluck! I wanted to ask please if your books are relevant also for children's books. I'm about to launch mine... :0)

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому

      Children's books are not a genre I know well. They sell, as I understand it, much better in paperback than they do as an ebook.

  • @oldvsyoungreactions
    @oldvsyoungreactions 7 років тому

    Chris when do you move your price up to the normal price?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому

      It will be 99 cents for a full week, which is painful because it means giving up a lot of revenue. But the rank gain is so worth it.

    • @oldvsyoungreactions
      @oldvsyoungreactions 7 років тому

      are you doing this with all your books or is it because this is book one in the series for you?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому

      I do it on new series, usually. I launch sequels at full price. I'll reach a point where I always release at full price, but for now I'll take exposure however I can get it.

  • @ferdysgdumel
    @ferdysgdumel 6 років тому

    Chris, why did you switch from AMS advertising to a Facebook campaign? Wouldn't the first option have been more cost effective?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  6 років тому

      I still use both platforms, but focus more on Facebook ads for launches, because their reporting is so much better. AMS has a massive delay, which makes it very difficult to figure out what's working there and why.

    • @ferdysgdumel
      @ferdysgdumel 6 років тому

      Fair enough, thanks. Still, how were you able to trigger your Amazon target audience from Facebook data - isn't that limited to generic sex, age group and some other info?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  6 років тому

      Experimentation. I ran a lot of AMS ads as well. The Facebook ads helped me to determine which copy and taglines to use.

  • @rileymorrisonauthor9201
    @rileymorrisonauthor9201 7 років тому +1

    How come you skipped on you useual "this book is a mix of X Y and Z" totaly biased friend comment down the bottom of blurb? Or did I just miss it?
    I actually only contemplated emailing you the other day to ask if I could steal the idea as my book is a mix of some pretty far flung stuff and that sort of funny description would suit it.

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому +3

      I've been using the 'It's X meets Y' lines in advertising, and they've been performing poorly. I'll keep testing, but so far they don't appear to be helping the book.
      Absolutely feel free to steal that formula. The biased friend thing I came up with, but certainly not X meets Y. If you can riff off that in a funny way go for it. =D

  • @anthonycoundouris
    @anthonycoundouris 6 років тому

    Hey Chris. How long would you run the pre order? 1 or 2 months?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  6 років тому

      Longer is generally better, so I'd get the preorder up as soon as I could =)

  • @ele1003
    @ele1003 7 років тому

    Are new authors who do not have the money for ads doomed ?

    • @holly28465
      @holly28465 7 років тому

      ELE I think it is hard to get a high rank without money for ads. Seems like a pay to play situation.

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  7 років тому +1

      I see people break out every day who aren't running a single ad. Focus on an amazing cover, a compelling blurb, and writing the best book that you can. If your book is good enough, it may fly without ads. If it isn't, then ads aren't going to do anything for you anyway.

  • @yelloworangered
    @yelloworangered 7 років тому

    But how did you zero in on your audience? Sorry to be so dense.

  • @whoisyouranime
    @whoisyouranime 7 років тому

    So in short, pay for ads and make a good tagline.

  • @racewiththefalcons1
    @racewiththefalcons1 6 років тому

    How long do you test a tagline for?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  6 років тому

      4-6 hours and I pull the bad ones. The goods one I keep testing across mutliple ads =)

    • @racewiththefalcons1
      @racewiththefalcons1 6 років тому

      4-6 hours on the product page, or on AMS ads? Is that enough time to get an accurate reading?
      Congrats on your success, and thanks for the reply!

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  6 років тому +1

      I don't use AMS ads to test. AMS reporting is terrible, and unsuitable for testing...well much of anything =p
      I do use them, but for sales rather than generating data.

    • @racewiththefalcons1
      @racewiththefalcons1 6 років тому

      Thanks for the clarity. The delay in AMS reporting can be frustrating, but I will try the tagline testing approach with my next book launch later this month and see what works best. Thanks for the tip!

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  6 років тому +1

      I'd test using Facebook ads if you're willing to try something new. They're harder to learn, but you have so much more control, and the reporting is way better =)

  • @smokeymoment9723
    @smokeymoment9723 5 років тому

    This video was not helpful at all. You show us where you rank and how well YOU'RE doing but you never say what you actually did. So congrats but not sure what help this was supposed to be.

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  5 років тому

      I'm sorry to hear the video wasn't helpful. Have you read Write to Market? I ask, because this video assumes you've read it, and that you're aware of all the groundwork you need to do to sell your book.

    • @smokeymoment9723
      @smokeymoment9723 5 років тому

      Oh. Are there "step by step" action steps, that show you helpful tools to get the best ranking?

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  5 років тому

      There are step by step instructions to researching a category, and then writing a book that will sell in it. Those steps require a lot of work, and a lot of research, but have resulted in many authors quitting your day job.
      If you want to see the process in action check out the 21 Day Novel Challenge videos on this channel.

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  5 років тому

      There are step by step instructions to researching a category, and then writing a book that will sell in it. Those steps require a lot of work, and a lot of research, but have resulted in many authors quitting your day job.
      If you want to see the process in action check out the 21 Day Novel Challenge videos on this channel.

    • @ChrisFoxWrites
      @ChrisFoxWrites  5 років тому

      There are step by step instructions to researching a category, and then writing a book that will sell in it. Those steps require a lot of work, and a lot of research, but have resulted in many authors quitting your day job.
      If you want to see the process in action check out the 21 Day Novel Challenge videos on this channel.