User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
- May 1, 2011
- 7,621
- 34,683
Generally speaking, using paid ads to promote one book is a bad idea. The reason is that your book is priced most likely no higher than $9.99, which means that at most you get $7 per sale. It's very, very difficult to be profitable with paid ads if you're selling a $7 product.
The only exception is if this book is your lead generation tool which then leads to more expensive products. If it's not leading to more sales (whether it's fiction or non-fiction), I'd focus on writing another book instead of wasting time with paid advertising.
If you have more than one book and ideally, they're a part of a series, then paid advertising might make sense because the lifetime value of each reader will be higher. Otherwise, you have few options.
Amazon Ads used to be good about a year or two ago. Now it's so expensive it's IMO not really worth it. Bookbub Ads are pretty good, but only for discounted books. Same for any other book promo sites—pretty good, but only for discounted books. You might get good results networking with other authors and asking them to feature your book in their newsletter, but most authors will probably not respond to your cold emails unless you provide value first.
All in all, book marketing comes down to building a catalog. When you have only one book out, trying to turn a profit makes little sense. Focus on building your audience and writing the next book.
Also, read this post: Your Book Marketing Plan Won't Work
The only exception is if this book is your lead generation tool which then leads to more expensive products. If it's not leading to more sales (whether it's fiction or non-fiction), I'd focus on writing another book instead of wasting time with paid advertising.
If you have more than one book and ideally, they're a part of a series, then paid advertising might make sense because the lifetime value of each reader will be higher. Otherwise, you have few options.
Amazon Ads used to be good about a year or two ago. Now it's so expensive it's IMO not really worth it. Bookbub Ads are pretty good, but only for discounted books. Same for any other book promo sites—pretty good, but only for discounted books. You might get good results networking with other authors and asking them to feature your book in their newsletter, but most authors will probably not respond to your cold emails unless you provide value first.
All in all, book marketing comes down to building a catalog. When you have only one book out, trying to turn a profit makes little sense. Focus on building your audience and writing the next book.
Also, read this post: Your Book Marketing Plan Won't Work