My Results with Kindle Select Free Promotion Days

I published my first book on Amazon, through the Kindle Publishing Platform, in November of 2012.  My second book released in February of 2013.  I hear a lot of authors asking questions about the best way to use their 5 Free Promotional Days as offered through the KDP program.  I wanted to share my experiences.

Background:

• Prior to 2013 I did not have an email list of blog subscribers
• I do not host a podcast or hold any kind of public facing position
• I don't have an advanced degree, nor am I considered an expert in my field
• I did not send out advance copies of my book to friends in order to build up reviews right at the book launch
• My social media following is relatively small, less than 1,000 people overall across all platforms
• I have a completed author page on Amazon

Promotion #1: 3-Days Free one week after book launch

Additional marketing done:

• posting to social media
• tweeting to free kindle book accounts
• tweeting to dad bloggers
• being featured at the same time on a popular dad blog

Results: 423 downloads and no reviews

Promotion #2: 1-Day Free (an if-then promotion)-about one month after my previous promotion

Additional marketing done:

• see: http://journeyofadad.blogspot.com/2012/12/what-kind-of-results-will-6802-of.html
• I was given a $100 credit to run Twitter advertising
• I reached 40 RTs of my tweet, promoting the upcoming free day
• IF I received 40 RT's, THEN the book would run free for one day
• I personally tweeted a thank you response to each RT'er
• I personally tweeted to each RT'er when the book went free, with a link to download

Results: 113 downloads and no reviews

Bonus result: Increase to my Twitter follower account and exposure to a completely new audience through the Twitter advertising.

Promotion #3: 1-Day Free (tied to a trending topic: New Year's Resolutions)

Additional marketing done:

• Used trending hashtags on Twitter to align my promotion with New Year's Resolution tweets
• Promote through normal social media channels

Results: 166 downloads and no reviews

Promotion #4: 5-Days Free - both books at the same time - tied to a trending topic (Valentine's Day)

Additional marketing done:

• Promote through my blog subscriber list (which I now have)
• Promote on social media, including Google+ now which I had not been using before
• Promote through communities on Google+ for authors and free Kindle books

Results: 2,006 total downloads of both books and no reviews

1,835 of those downloads were for my new book, which falls under a self-help, motivational category, a very broad reaching audience.  This book reached the #304 overall spot for Kindle downloads on day 5 of the promotion.

171 of those downloads were for my old book, which has a much smaller, niche market (dads w/sons)

What I Have Learned:

1. Utilize the audience you have, but don't over-utilize it without providing some additional value
1. My social media audience got overwhelmed with the number of promotional posts in a short 3-month time period.  I think they began to tune out my posts, and it was actually a deterrent to future loyalty
2. Grow your audience in smart ways BEFORE you run your promotions
1. Taking the time to build up a blog subscriber following has been one of the best things I have done yet
2. Joining and actively participating in Google+ communities has also been a huge positive
3. Tie your free day promotions in with another holiday or trending topic
1. This will allow more people to "stumble" upon your work
4. Make sure to put a link in each of your books to your other books.  This way if you offer one for free, it can act as a marketing tool for your other works.
5. If you are able to run your book for 3 days or more, it gives the book a chance to make some of the top ranking lists on Amazon. These are a great way for your book to be noticed by new buyers. 
6. So far, free days have not been an effective way to get reviewers of my books.

I hope you find this helpful, and if you have other tips to share please don't hesitate to comment.

Thanks,

Derek