Why Simple Social Media Won't Be Available on Amazon - At First
It makes sense that when you think you're going to buy a book that you might start at Amazon. I mean, Amazon is the everything store and it started as a bookstore. So that's usually the first place that people go when they need to get a book.
But the book that I have written and am launching, Simple Social Media, is going to be released on my own websites first and then to Amazon and other online retailers next. That may sound a little bit odd for a first time author with a very small audience. But I think it's worth the risk. So I'm gonna take you through my strategy behind this decision when you can get Simple Social Media, what's in it for you, and a little bit more insight into this strategy.
What is Simple Social Media
Simple Social Media is the book that is for anyone with a marketing team of five people or less looking to build a brand on social media. It breaks down the PAGER method that I created so that you can have a presence on social media without the pressure of having to create and post content every day. This is the method designed to drive your business goals, build relationships with your followers, and free up hours each week. It’s what I have used on my social media accounts, my clients’ social media account, and what other marketing agencies have taught their social media teams. Simple Social Media will be available for pre-order on October 18th via SimpleSocialMediabook.com. Sign up to be notified when you can pre-order, (plus get a free gift for your ears!)
Lulu.com will be printing and publishing Simple Social Media.
Why Not Amazon
Look, we all buy from Amazon. In every second, Amazon is sending out 18.5 packages. No one does convenient shopping better than that company.
But I know enough about websites and platforms to know that if you can establish a foothold early on, you will do better than if you’re late to the party. And, considering that Amazon has been selling books since 1994, I’m a little late to the party.
So I didn’t have a whole lot of stock in Simple Social Media easily being found on Amazon. I have a feeling that my book will get lost in a sea of all of the other millions of books that are available there. I thought it was worth trying something different. Plus, for years I’ve been talking up Bookshop.org so it seems a little odd to run to Amazon the first chance that I get. (Note: Simple Social Media will be available on both Amazon and Bookshop.org. I’ll get to that in a second.)
Not only that, but Amazon (and other online retailers) will tell you how many units you’ve sold, but not tell you who bought those units. I felt like I could deliver a more personalized experience to my readers if I knew who they were. And when they buy directly from, me I would be able to have their email addresses I could offer better bonuses, randomly send free stuff, and send out additional trainings.
Do I make more money per unit if I sell it via my own website versus Bookshop,org, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble? Sure. But… let’s just say that I’m not planning on selling this book and buying my own private island. So the differential there wasn’t a huge factor for me.
It boils down to: when I sell via SimpleSocialMediabook.com I get more access to my buyers and slightly more profit.
Where Simple Social Media will be available
You can pick up Simple Social Media on SimpleSocialMediabook.com. It is available for pre-order on October 18th, and will be out on November 14th.
By November 14th it should also be available via Downstage.Media and Annie Schiffmann.com. (I just want to make sure there aren’t any kinks, so I wanted to roll it out on one site first)
On December 26th, Simple Social Media will also be available at amazon.com, bookshop.org, and other online retailers. The idea here is that other people will have had time to read the book and can offer honest reviews, which are helpful when a book first launches on Amazon, in particular.
What's In It For You
Because I am offering Simple Social Media on my own websites - and not on what Joe Pulizzi calls “rented land” - I can get a little creative with what extras, freebies, or bonuses buyers can get.
Look, I know that there is a little more friction involved in buying a print-on-demand, self-published book than clicking Add to Cart and having it at your door the next day. So, I want to be sure to sweeten the deal. Here are the freebies that you can get at various levels.
Simple Social Media Bonuses
Pre-Order List
Get on the list to be notified when Simple Social Media is available for pre-order and get access to the 80s and 90s-themed PAGER Method Mixtape with songs from the book and its sister zine, PAGER.
Invitation to the Simple Social Media Launch Party on November, 13th: live music, interviews with people mentioned in the book, dice games, and 80s and 90s music.
Pre-Order
Access to the 80s and 90s-themed PAGER Method Mixtape with songs from the book and its sister zine, PAGER.
Free ticket to the Simple Social Media Launch Party on November, 13th: live music, interviews with people mentioned in the book, dice games, and 80s and 90s music. ($30 value)
20 minute Personalized PAGER Social Strategy Session with a member of the Downstage Media to the first 50 people who place a pre-orders. ($99 value)
Bonus chapter that didn’t get into the book in time.
Let the Good Lines roll bundle: The dice game I created to help you create content in minutes based on your brand’s messaging. ($147)
A carefully curated array of business and marketing bonuses by some of my favorite entrepreneurs in the world of PR, web design, branding, marketing, sales, and more. (still tallying, value, but it’s going to be around $500)
Order Directly
Access to the 80s and 90s-themed PAGER Method Mixtape with songs from the book and its sister zine, PAGER.
Bonus chapter that didn’t get into the book in time.
Let the Good Lines roll bundle: The dice game I created to help you create content in minutes based on your brand’s messaging. ($147 value)
A carefully curated array of business and marketing bonuses by some of my favorite entrepreneurs in the world of PR, web design, branding, marketing, sales, and more. (still tallying, value, but it’s going to be around $500)
If I weren’t selling directly to the consumer, I wouldn’t be able to be as generous with my offers as you see here. But, frankly, it’s exciting and it’s fun! I like giving people extra stuff so they can take control of their marketing. That’s how I started over twelve years ago, and how I know many brands can build their own businesses as well.
Get on the Pre-Order List
Imagine feeling like you have your social media reined in. So it doesn’t feel relentless and you can focus on other things in your business. That’s what Simple Social Media was designed to help you do. And by getting it through SimpleSocialMediabook.com you will be supporting a woman-owned business, content creator, that has lots of great goodies in store for you!
