Have you ever gotten an idea that you had no way of knowing what the outcome would be but were willing to try it anyway? Chances are you have.
It’s likely some ideas worked while others failed miserably. Such was the case with my “experiment” on Thursday with the pricing of 101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door. I wanted to see if pricing makes a difference on eBooks.
It appears that in this case it did. It also appears as if acting on the idea worked brilliantly. (humbly I say 🙂 )
- #2 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Business & Investing > Marketing & Sales > Sales & Selling
Here’s a quick look at the results as of this morning.
What’s really great about trying the “99 Cent Kindle Experiment” is I know that there are readers who may not have gotten the book but figured, “Heck, 99 cents, I can afford this even if the book is no good.”
Fortunate for them, the book is very good. A quick read of reviews will show you that much.
Here’s what one reader has to say:
101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door is a powerful book for three reasons:
1. It delivers what it promises – over 101 ways, not only to get your foot in the door, but in many cases to get your foot BACK into the door.
2. It’s a quick read, leaving you time to adapt and implement the techniques that will work best for your situation.
3. The authors speak from experience; the ideas work in the real world.
Did you know this about me?
Most people know me as an Internet Marketing adviser rather than someone who trains on traditional sales. The fact is, I have been in sales a lot longer than Internet marketing. I began my career at the ripe old age of eight.
For my eighth birthday I received a rubber stamp printing press. I got really excited about the idea of going door to door to sell ad space in my neighborhood. Each ad cost a penny. Mind you, I’m going back almost 50 years. A penny could buy you a lot in those days – even an ad in Kathy’s Paper. (Pretty creative name wouldn’t you say LOL)
Seriously though, the seed for my career was planted nearly five decades ago. I loved selling. But what I discovered is this; selling a penny advertisement as a cute eight year old is very different than selling in competitive environments.
Over the last few decades I have sold everything from booth space for trade shows, radio advertising, consulting services, keynote presentations, books, information products, concepts, and burglar alarms (yes – I went that route at the age of 18 and failed miserably at selling burglar alarms).
Knowing the value of information and education, I’ve invested in lots of training, books, seminars and coaching. Some were good, some were awful and some were great. As I increased my successes I put my knowledge into practical experience as well as training others on the finer points I knew worked; everything from prospecting, proposal writing, presentations, and closing.
How the book came to be
A few years ago one of my closest friends and business associates (also with years of sales experience) decided to share some of our best insights into sales. One thing we have in common is that we love selling. We think it’s fun and yet, we know how tough it can be to sometimes keep your head above water.
Thus the idea was born for 101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door. But rather than write a typical sales book on theory we decided to write a very playful book. After all, those who do great at sales are playful yet, serious when needed.
If you’re not playful, a stick in the mud and downright miserable, this book is NOT for you. On the other hand, if you want something really fun to read and implement the ideas from, this book is a must have.
It’s amazing how many people don’t realize they are in sales. There are all different levels of sales. Maybe you’re selling a company on the idea of hiring you. Perhaps you are selling an association on the idea of sponsoring your next book or event. (I’ve successfully done this) You might want to increase the number of consulting contracts you secure – again you’re selling. Maybe you have a common widget you are selling.
Whatever you’re selling, you absolutely need creative ideas on how to get (and stay) in front of prospects. Enter 101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door.
I can assure you there will be several “keepers” in this book for virtually anyone. Regardless of the industry you are in, what you are selling or what your level of experience, this book has something for you.
There’s only one thing. The 99 cent price point is going to come to an end soon. So why not click here and get your own copy?
No Kindle? No problem.
You can download a free app for your PC, MAC, Android, IPad, Blackberry and more. http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_ipad_mkt_lnd?docId=1000493771
Heck, for 99 Cents you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The 99 cent offer has ended. But you can enjoy a free webinar with my friend and colleague, Daniel Hall on **** Publish an Ebook Today Using Amazon’s Kindle ****
Complete Step-By-Step Instructions
Registration is open but limited. Go to http://realfastbook.com/kathleenweb.html to reserve your spot today.
Thanks for sharing how this 99cents experiment worked for you. I’ve posted three books on Kindle and am learning how to drive sales there. I know that pricing is a factor, but getting the word out is also huge.
You’re so right that we are all in sales, so it’s essential to our success to learn how to do it successfully.
So true Flora. Once the experiment is done I plan to reveal more of my marketing methods. It went beyond the blog post. Be watching for it.
I have this little gem when Kathleen first published it. I buy all her books; they’re yummy. Oh, I have a Kindle; I think I’ll go buy that version now. You better too!
You rock Bea. Thanks for sharing your experience with the book and for investing in the ebook.
OMG, I had already bought it Kindle before and Amazon told me so when I clicked to buy again. How funny!
Thanks for the reminder email about this great offer today, Kathleen. Like you, I love selling as part of my business acumen. I can tell just by reading the preview of your e-book it’s spot on with excellent creative tips for getting noticed by prospects. I’ve downloaded the book and am excited to read more. Thank you!
Thanks for the feedback on the book Debra. I appreciate it.
Congratulations!
And thank you for posting this. I wish I had even considered this when I published my first book last year. However, I’m just about to put out another book and you can bet I’ll be introducing it this way.
While the Amazon royalties are teensy when going the .99 route, it more than makes up for it in the eyeballs and potential readers I might not get otherwise.
Sometimes it just takes someone with the chutzpa to do something and give the rest of us “permission” to do the same.
Thank you again, Kathleen!
Thanks for your kind words Kate. And yes, getting the “eyeballs” on your work is essential. All part of marketing.
Hey Kathleen, thanks… I didn’t know I could get the Kindle reader for PC, until you sent me the email with the link to buy your special offer for the ebook – so I downloaded it and bought it. I love it, thank you. Curious to know if you have or might recommend where to find a mind map or blueprint that describes how to publish and market your own Amazon ebook?
I am going to host an event on Kindle development in a few weeks. Be watching for it.
So how many did you actually sell so far since advertising the $0.99 price? I have an ebook that is $1.99 on Samshwords (and people have to sign up for our list on our blog to gt a $1.00 off coupon) but i’m thinking of making it $0.99 straight up — and putting it on Amazon (Smashwords was my partner’s idea because it allows so many different formats including Kindle but I think we are missing out on the marketing oomph of amazon)
Don’t know at this point.
And now you know why I’ve been an advocate for the last 13 years about ebooks. That’s the reason I’ve done video tutorials for making ebooks so that every Author can enjoy the benefits of being published. Congrats woman!
Yeppers. EBooks sure are a beautiful thaaaaang!
Kathleen, you are definitely an amazing woman and marketer. I am anxiously awaiting for you to publish details of the results.
Thanks so much Sue. I value your kind words.
Kathleen –
Looks like your efforts are working so far on this experiment! Keep up the good work 🙂 How long do you plan to keep the 99 cent price going?
Natasha
I will be making the price change late Monday. No way of knowing how long it takes for Amazon to post.
Hi Kathleen,
I just got back from vacation with little internet access and am so glad I opened your e-mail this morning. I always find it interesting that many people I meet online cringe at the mention of sales as if it’s a bad word when the reality is that we’re all selling something – service or products in one form or another. I cannot wait to download this book and read it through the reader.
I wish I’d read your email before uploading the final revision of my first book to Kindle last night. (Originally uploaded on Friday but wasn’t happy with the formatting so made changes last night.) I wasn’t sure about the pricing and sort of went by comments on a couple of webinars I attended. I look forward to reading more about your strategies.
Hi Kathleen,
Not sure this failed misserably…Timing is everything. I think too many of us are not into our computers as much as in the winter months. I just saw this & am acting on the experiment now…. & thanks, I now have free kindle on my PC. There may be a huge population like myself that hasn’t bought into kindle. Let your people know they can download the app free & there may be a higher conversion in this experiment… I’d run it again before I counted it out…
Thanks for your comments Karen. Actually, the test was a huge success. At one point the ebook was #1 in three categories. Also, I do have a link for the free app at the bottom of this blog post. But for anyone who might have missed it, here it is. http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_ipad_mkt_lnd?docId=1000493771
Hi, Kathleen:
Quick question for you on the .99 cent price for your book. How did you get over the hurdle from Amazon on pricing it below $2.99? I’m trying to change my book price from $7.99 to .99 (for a few days) but get error when doing so.
Let me know.
Cheers,
Missy
Join me for a webinar with Daniel Hall on August 30th where he will be explaining in detail about Kindle books and pricing. http://realfastbook.com/kathleenweb.html
Hi Kathleen
I had a peek inside your book and I am wondering why the body text is in Red.
Is this a Kindle thing?
BTW- I was tempted but have unread purchases to finish before I buy more, however cheap!
I honestly don’t know Gabrielle. It was not planned that way. But sure opens up a dialogue. 🙂
Thanks for the visibility on this. Much appreciated.