I love books, and I think that’s true of everyone here in the Inspired by Life and Fiction community. It’s a primary commonality that brings us together. But the reasons behind why we purchase the books we each purchase vary as much as, well, as much as the myriad genres and sub-genres there are available to read!
To that end, I’m coming to you today with one simple question. But first, some quick backstory . . .
I had a Zoom call yesterday with my marketing manager at HarperCollins Christian Publishing (waving to you, Kerri), and we discussed the July 7th release of my newest novel Colors of Truth, a Carnton novel (book 2).
Read more. . .
The call with Kerri was a followup to a Zoom call I had over a month ago with the entire marketing department where we discussed some fun and creative ideas for my upcoming July release. Ideas to help spread the word about the book (“word of mouth” still being the best marketing around, of course), but also ideas to encourage readers—both loyal and new—to follow through on making the decision to preorder.
Which leads me back to that one simple question—What are the factors that influence you to preorder a book?
Here’s a list we quickly brainstormed on the call. Are any of these “checked” on your personal list?
- The book is written by an author you’ve read before and you really like her/his previous books
- Pre-ordering the book gets your name entered in a special giveaway
- Pre-ordering the book instantly unlocks “reader extras” including bonus chapters (ie: the first 5 or 6 chapters of the book instead of only the standard 1 chapter), videos from the author, recipes that are included in the novel, insights into why the author wrote the book, etc…
Do any of these enticements resonate with you? Would they influence you to purchase the book before the actual release date? If yes, what kind of giveaways are most appealing? Do the “reader extras” connect with you at all? Which takes us back to the simple yet oh-so-important question . . .
What are the factors that influence you to preorder a book?
I’d really love to know your thoughts, so thanks for sharing—however short or long!
Tamera
A chance to win Colors of Truth
RECIPE ALERT!
Do you or someone you love eat gluten free? What about low carb?
If yes, these are the absolute BEST KETO chocolate chip cookies ever!
I’ve made a ton of Keto cookies that could be adequately classified, if we’re being completely honest, as “tiny little pucks of sadness.” But these… Oh gracious, they’re delicious! Joe ate two of them last night and checked with me to make sure I wasn’t trying to kill him with real sugar and white flour (he’s diabetic, bless him!).
GRAB THE RECIPE at Gnom-gnom.com (a fabulous Keto website)
Tamera Alexander
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I have to be honest here. Most of the time I check out new releases from my local library rather than purchasing the actual book. This way I get to read the awesome authors I love while saving money. I know this is not what you want to hear. I do, however, share with family and friends how much I love the books and authors I do read in order to spread the word.
There is no “wrong” answer here, Carla. Especially in these crazy times. I’ve checked out plenty of books from libraries to help save on costs, so you’ll get NO guilt on that from me, babe. And remember, libraries must buy books as well, so there’s that consideration. I appreciate you reading—and sharing!I hope you and yours are doing well.
Pre-order perks are very rarely what convinces me to pre-order a book. Why? because I honestly try not to bring any more little tchotchkes into my house. ha. But what’s been catching my eye lately are vinyl stickers related to books. My laptop is quickly becoming an advertisement for all the books. The other thing I’m a sucker for is pins. And having a matching bookmark is always fun too. The digital extras don’t tend to draw me in either. I’ve had the same background on my phone since I got it and it’s a personal photo so backgrounds related to the book, meh. I do pre-order for authors that I’ve read and enjoyed, and especially if its the next book in a series that I’ve loved. It also makes a difference if I’m seeing other authors and readers talking about the book, so some of those things you mentioned in the third point can sell me on pre-ordering but seeing them before I hit pre-order is the key. Offering up a sneak peak that hooks me and I need to know what happens next? Pre-order… Show me video of a location in the book that I’d then like to visit? Pre-order… Authors that are actively engaged with readers on social media? I’m more likely to pre-order because I feel like I’m more invested in your story (and not just the one in the book…) at that point and it’s more personal to me than just randomly seeing a book on a shelf. During this craziness, I’ve been trying to support more debut authors knowing that they face an even greater challenge. One thing I’ve seen here and there is being able to pre-order the book at a discounted price (even if it’s just a dollar)… If there’s one I’m on the fence about, but one of the perks to pre-ordering is a cheaper price, I am more likely to pre-order. (Normally I will shout from the rooftops about buying the books because y’all work hard and deserve to be paid for that work, but that dollar convinced me to take a chance on an author I wasn’t familiar with and I knew I wouldn’t be able to get the book through my library any time soon) Another author that I adore did a pre-order perk with a local Indie bookstore in her area (she lives in VA and I’m in PA). If you ordered through that bookstore, not only would your book be signed, but she also included a diary entry from the main character that you could only get from that store. I liked this idea as it supported an Indie bookstore AND I got something people ordering elsewhere couldn’t get.
LOVE all this, Joy!What fabulous thoughts and suggestions. Love what “clicks” for you (and what doesn’t, we agree on so many things!), and I really appreciate the time you took to respond. Excellent!
This is a great question, Tammy! I don’t need any incentives to pre-order for authors I love. I buy their books because I love their style and writing (nothing else matters, not even the title or cover!). For new-to-me authors or authors I’ve read but who aren’t necessarily my favorite, I still wouldn’t buy based on incentives. I’d need to see the early reviews, read the blurb, and generally give word-of-mouth some time before deciding whether I want to read the book. So, as both an author and reader, I don’t feel that incentives are truly worth the while. I feel that “brand” is still the best way to drive pre-orders. 🙂
SO agree on authors I love. I’m there as soon as the book is ready for preorder. I agree on the new-to-me authors too. The only incentive that truly works for me (and something Joy mentioned above) is when a new-to-me author gives the preorder incentive of several chapters (6 chapters can be close to 65-80 pages, instead of just the 1) and that really helps me to decide whether I want to preorder. That’s about the only incentive that entices me.
About branding… I remember years ago when authors were all caught up in coming up with the right “tag line” for their brand. To me, an author’s name is her brand. Pure and simple. Keep true to that brand and readers will keep true to you. Break that bond though, and trust is difficult to rebuild.
All of the reasons you listed would entice me to pre-order, but this is why I DON’T: nine times out of ten, any book I’ve ordered to be delivered to me, comes damaged – no kidding! Even so, I pre-ordered two Christmas books last fall because I was having surgery at the end of October and didn’t know when I would be able to drive. When they arrived, the book jacket on one had an inch tear, and the other one had a bend in the cover. These came from B&N, so I called my local store where I usually shop, and told them I would be exchanging these books once I was able to drive. The same thing happens through Amazon, also. The only time I have received books undamaged is when I have ordered through an independent book store – usually where one of my favorite authors is having a book signing. These book stores package very nicely.
Sooo, I keep up with release dates of favorite authors and go in to the bookstore at that time to purchase. Then I can be assured of getting a good copy. If the bookstore doesn’t have it, I order the book to be sent to the store so I have the prerogative of refusing it with no hassle of making a return. Sorry this is so long.
However, I will be buying this book when it releases!! I gave three of the Carnton prequel to friends after reading it.
I forgot to mention that during this craziness, my usual routine doesn’t work. I am optimistic that things will soon open up safely – certainly by July.
Love all this, Betty. But I’m sorry you’ve had such issues with damaged books. That’s really frustrating, especially when you pay a considerable price for most print books these days. And yes, oh yes, I hope we are far more “back to the new normal” by July! Much love to you, friend, and thanks for sharing!
I’ll pre-order for books I know I want, but that’s on strength of the author’s previous story telling. No rewards will convince me to order if I’m not already certain I will love the book. And anyway, I think there’s only been one time I’ve actually remembered to submit a receipt for pre-order rewards; goodness knows how many times I’ve forgotten/didn’t know there were any.
And preview chapters definitely don’t do it for me. The only time I read preview chapters is when the author is new to me–get a sample of their writing style, see if it’s something I like. Otherwise previews tend to become self-inflicted torture (even just one chapter is enough to drive me crazy without access to the rest of the book). Give me the whole book, or give me no book!
LOL, Rachael! You’re not the first reader who’s told me they don’t like reading the free sample chapters, no matter how many chapters they’re given. That it’s “self-inflicted torture!” : } My only caveat to that is—when I preorder from an author I love—I really DO love getting a jumpstart on the book 2-3 days before it releases! There’s something fun about that. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Most of my preorders are for books from favorite authors. There are just a few whose every book I read. For new-to-me authors or those whose books I read occasionally, the biggest enticement is a discounted preorder price. And that’s only if the book sounds interesting to me in the first place. I’m not sure I ever preordered a book specifically because of reader perks. The time or two I received some extras for preordering something I had planned to buy anyway, they weren’t anything I got excited about. I can’t say I would never be enticed by a preorder perk, but I can’t think of anything that would definitely reel me in.
We’re in sync on this, Barbara. I’d say 95% of my preorders are from authors I’ve read before and already know I love. For a new-to-me author, I DO appreciate the “preorder incentive” EXTRA sample chapters to know if I’m going to be hooked or not. Because (with Amazon) you can always cancel that preorder, which I’ve done 2 – 3 times after simply not being hooked. Cost is huge too. I so agree. Even a $1 or $2. Hey, it’s money! SO appreciate you sharing today!
Although I still buy books by authors I enjoy, other times I’ll borrow them from the local library too. Either way, I’m in for a good story! 🙂
I also keep an eye on release dates for books and put them on hold or head to the bookstore.
Good for you, Elisa!And thanks for sharing today. Appreciate you!
I usually pre-order because I’m reading the series that it is apart of or because I have read and loved the author. I do love a good sale as well! If it is an author I don’t love but can read quickly to pass time, I’d pre-order if the book is below $10. For authors I adore (like you and some of the other authors on this blog!) I’ll pre-order no matter what the price. Perks are fun but really just that, a perk. Also, if perks are complicated…I’ll give up and not care.
Amen on the good sale, Amber, and the continuation of a series. If I love the series, then I’m “all in” and will preorder in a heartbeat (and I’ll read those extra chapters too, 2-3 days before the book releases). And THANK YOU for those kind words. Warms my heart, truly. There are a ton of books to choose from, so I appreciate you reading mine.
I had to LOL at “if the perks are complicated…I’ll give up and not care.” I will too! For the love… One time the author had the preorder crowd jumping through so many hoops, I finally thought, “I have no idea what I’m getting but whatever it is, it’s not worth this!” : } So note to self: If doing preorder perks, keep it simple! And honestly, less is more. Make it valuable. Make it personal. Those things matter to me anyway.
Thank you for sharing! Great stuff.
I don’t usually pre-order books. For one thing, I would rather wait for the whole book than read a few chapters and having to stop until I get the book. So whether I get a few pages, a chapter or five to six chapters preview is not going to affect whether I’m going to pre-order books. Small gifts don’t attract me. And if the book is by an author I’ve read before and liked, I might pre-order it but I also might wait until the book is published.
I would love it if I could borrow those books from a library but libraries don’t usually buy those books so soon.
Great thoughts, Anna, and they fall right into line with most of mine. Especially the “small gifts.” Life is busy, most of us already have so much going on and so many demands that we really need to budget our time and attention with care. Thanks so much for sharing today! I’m grateful.
I have pre-ordered lots of times but not every time. I mainly pre-order my favorite authors (by the way you are a favorite) no kidding. I have all your books. Occasionally I will pre-order a new author’s book if I have heard a lot about it from someone on FB or word of mouth. Love the cover of this new book of yours and can’t wait to see it.
Honestly, I’ve never pre-ordered a book, even though I’m an avid reader. However, I read books in my daughter’s EBOOK library. It is full of favorite authors (including you 😊) and new-to-us authors. I believe she gets a lot of her books with freebies. We enjoy books, yet we are frugal. 😉