Saturday, September 18, 2010

Helping Potential Readers

Yesterday, while working on the Book Review for Black Sun by Graham Brown, I was struck by something on his website. I thought I’d point it out to all of you published writers and soon-to-be-published writers.

He has a page on his site called simply, “Order.”

You might think that would be a page where you could order directly from him, but it isn’t. You might think it’d be a page with a link for you to order from Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble. You’ve be partially right.

It’s actually a page with links to order from 34 places. Each place is linked and the link takes you directly to the book’s order page.

Brown has made it as easy as possible for a reader to order from just about anywhere s/he wants to order.

One click linking, not from one or two or three places to buy the book, but from 34. He’s helping readers buy his book and he’s growing his readership base by making it easy.

Are you making it easy for your potential readers?

25 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this with us. I shall keep this in mind once I'm luck enough to be published.

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  2. That's a good idea and I hope I remember to do it when I'm published. I've a couple of queries in the wild at the moment.

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  3. I've around 10 links per book on the order page. I hope it helps the sales.

    My Darcy Mutates…

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  4. I've around 10 links per book on the order page. I hope it helps the sales.

    My Darcy Mutates…

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  5. When my book comes out, I intend to make it that easy!

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  6. What a great idea! Thanks for the tip :)

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  7. Simon, I hope you get positive responses!

    Enid, it seems to me that it would. If I see the source I usually use to buy books, I'm more likely to click on it than if the choices are not ones I'm familiar with.

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  8. Wow, 34 links is amazing. I do have buy links for my books, but only one or two. I am going to have to work on providing a few more. Thanks for the great tip.

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  9. Good point! Especially helpful if something goes wrong with one link - there are otehr options for the reader. I'll remember for the future and update Husband's book page.
    Judy

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  10. Excellent idea. Filing it in my When It Happens folder.

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  11. I saw his link page yesterday - very impressive! I have the same links on my book page for the places where one can buy.

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  12. Yay, Laura!

    The more choices, the more likely the reader will find one they like.

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  13. ...this is an inventive trend I've been seeing as well. My editor has also suggested going this route directly from my blog and future website following my manuscript's release.

    Thanks for the info, Helen:)

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  14. Good idea, Elliot. Put the info on your website and your blog. If the list is huge like Brown's was, then at least link to your site page from your blog.

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  15. Sensible sales idea. I will remember that when the day comes.
    Gosh, 34 places. I'd be happy with one. LOL

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  16. You make a great point. That's really smart and considerate of him :)

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  17. Excellent idea. I hate going to a site intending to purchase something and having to go through pages and pages of stuff looking for a way to buy. This make it very simple to get his book out there.

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  18. Making it simple to order is definitely the key.

    Very interesting and helpful information. Thanks.
    Ann

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  19. Hi Ann!

    You're right, simple and easy is the key.

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  20. I don't have anything to sell... yet.

    Carleen Brice gives several links of her blog, from Amazon to Barnes and Noble to independent bookstores. Why not help readers and bookstores?

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  21. Impressive to have so many outlets. I have links to Amazon on my web site and blog.
    Ann
    Cozy In Texas

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  22. Wow....34. That's amazing. I wouldn't think there would even be that many. When my novel is published (notice I'm no longer saying if?!) I will do likewise.

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  23. I feel slack - I think I only have six links per book.

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  24. That's a very smart idea! I found your Great blog and writing through Jemi & so glad I clicked over. I've read 2 post for far and already learned so much! I'm following and off to read and learn more. Thank you, Helen!!

    Have a Wonderful week!
    HUGS,
    Coreen

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  25. What a great idea. Makes me wonder why more authors haven't done just that. Thanks for mentioning it. :)

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