55 replies
I posted one of my short stories on Kindle last night and listed it as free. Just thought i'd have a quick check and it's had 200 downloads and is #74 in the top 100 for free books in my niche. Not great I know but it's only been live for about 9 hours!

I'm sooooo happy right now!!
#share
  • Profile picture of the author Holmstrom
    HI, Congratulations!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5571663].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author paul_1
    Happy for you and Congratulations! Indeed, Determination would always be one of the ingredients to success. Keep that up!
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5571680].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lexilou
    Congratulations!
    It's so exciting to watch the numbers going up and up and up! I'm happy too.
    Lexilou
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5571688].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LilBlackDress
    Originally Posted by kerry3280 View Post

    I posted one of my short stories on Kindle last night and listed it as free. Just thought i'd have a quick check and it's had 200 downloads and is #74 in the top 100 for free books in my niche. Not great I know but it's only been live for about 9 hours!

    I'm sooooo happy right now!!
    That is awesome. 200 downloads. How exciting!

    Are you participating in the KDP program and getting a share of the pie? I read an article that said last December the top 10 authors alone shared in $70K with KDP.
    Signature

    Pen Name + 8 eBooks + social media sites 4 SALE - PM me (evergreen beauty niche)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5571807].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
      Originally Posted by LilBlackDress View Post

      That is awesome. 200 downloads. How exciting!

      Are you participating in the KDP program and getting a share of the pie? I read an article that said last December the top 10 authors alone shared in $70K with KDP.
      I have enrolled it but as borrowers are only allowed to borrow one book a month and mine are only short stories (for now!) I'm not sure I'll see any of that!

      thank you everyone, it is a fab feeling and I just hope that I manage to get some paid sales eventually too. I just knew I had to be good at something!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5572161].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sovereignn
    Congrats I bet that felt good. Just get your name out there and maybe people will be more inclined to buy your priced releases
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5571856].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author talashme
    Many Congratulations


    Hope you see more soon
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5572045].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pizzatherapy
    Excellent to hear.

    And if you signed up for the KDP Lending Library Program,...you may eligible for a piece the $600,000 Kindle Bonus for February. Amazon has a program called the Kindle Lending Library:


    Kindle Owners' Lending Library Fund is calculated based on a share of the total number of qualified borrows of all participating KDP titles. For example, if the monthly fund amount is $500,000, the total qualified borrows of all participating KDP titles is 100,000, and your book was borrowed 1,500 times, you will earn 1.5% (1,500/100,000 = 1.5%), or $7,500 for that month.
    The deal is that you must give Amazon the exclusive rights to your e-book for 3 months.

    In January the pool was: $700,000

    For February it is: $600,000

    You may now get a piece of that action!

    Good for you. You took action! Now you are on the path to making your dreams become reality!

    Here is the link for more info:

    KDP Select

    I am not sure if short stories qualify...but if you have enough short stories you will have a book that is a collection of short stories!

    Good luck!

    BTW: Public domain books do not qualify...Your book needs to be original content.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5572206].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jetmir
    Congratulations!

    That's some great news for you.

    Best of luck!
    Signature

    ATTENTION: Do you wanna make up to 100$ a DAY with 20 minutes of super-easy work?

    It's never been easier. Send me a Private Message for details.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5572293].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sentinelsoft
    Great news, congratulations.Good Luck.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5572811].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author buckeyes09
    Congrats! Keep up the good work!
    Signature

    Christian

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5572922].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MaryKathan
    That is great !

    Keep it going and I wish you all the success in the world...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573085].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DSTeam
    Originally Posted by kerry3280 View Post

    I posted one of my short stories on Kindle last night and listed it as free. Just thought i'd have a quick check and it's had 200 downloads and is #74 in the top 100 for free books in my niche. Not great I know but it's only been live for about 9 hours!

    I'm sooooo happy right now!!
    Hi Kerry, be sure to keep us updated on those downloads buddy ... congratulations and keep up the good work.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573306].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
      Originally Posted by DSTeam View Post

      Hi Kerry, be sure to keep us updated on those downloads buddy ... congratulations and keep up the good work.
      Thank you! It's all a bit mystifying really .... it's gone up to #15 since I posted this thread!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573378].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PaulyC
    Sweet! Good job kerry!

    Keep it up and keep growing, way to go!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573468].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      Hi Kerry

      Thanks awesome! Great job!

      Could I ask you how many words your short story is?

      Is it fictional work?

      I'm in the process of reseaching for my book.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573526].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
        Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

        Hi Kerry

        Thanks awesome! Great job!

        Could I ask you how many words your short story is?

        Is it fictional work?

        I'm in the process of reseaching for my book.
        Hi,

        It's only 2000 words which is why I'm a bit surprised. It was really published to 'test the water'. It is fictional yes and with a lot of competition in the category.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573538].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author syaya
    Congratulation kerry
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573543].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lisakleinweber
    How WONDERFUL!!!! Back in the day I wanted to be a writer like Stephen King ... but these days I think I like non-fiction better. lol.

    I'm really happy for you.
    Signature
    New Women's Health PLR - IBS, Acne, Allergies, Walking, and Foot Health


    Affiliate Marketing Plus Email Marketing PLR -- Mobile Marketing PLR
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573558].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Originally Posted by kerry3280 View Post

    I posted one of my short stories on Kindle last night and listed it as free. Just thought i'd have a quick check and it's had 200 downloads and is #74 in the top 100 for free books in my niche. Not great I know but it's only been live for about 9 hours!

    I'm sooooo happy right now!!

    ============

    Congratulations....Good start.

    Mary
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573594].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author biffula
    Awesome work Kerry.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573596].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Congrats kerry! You should know that Amazon is excellent for delivering traffic to anything that's on their website. Now it's just time to take your book and offer it for sale via Kindle.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573748].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author celente
    We have had some hits and misses with kindle.

    What works.

    1) Your content has to be killer.
    2) YOu have to engage your readers
    3) your title has to be SEO so they can find it indexed.
    4) YOu have to be in a niche that is already popular or getting massive sales.

    What doesnt work.

    1) Shorter Ebooks,
    2) IM Ebooks (these do not work at all)
    3) Guess what the target audience wants.
    4) crappy ebooks full of PLR or dud content.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5573936].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Tracey
    Well you really seem to have made a great breakthrough.
    This should really encourage you to publish more of your work on Kindle

    Congratulations

    Michael
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5574229].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author sidenote
      Congrats to your success on Kindle. So short stories can be a hit with Kindle. That's good to know. I am curious did you optimize your title, page or profile for the search engines? How do you think you got so much traffic to your book in a short amount of time. While you can always rely on Kindle viewers browsing through the categories, you seem to have gotten lots of traffic in a short amount of time. Anything significant you may have done?

      Thanks
      Cordy
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5574305].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author pianorosa
        Congrats Kerry! I've never written any fiction books but they do VERY VERY well! After the free promotion, you should get some sales right away. Yesterday, another student of mine reported back her stats, and she promoted her first book and got about 250+ downloads (something around there). Somehow the promotion now does not draw a big number like I used to 2 weeks ago. Anyhow, after the promotion, she got a few sales and now up to 6. Only a couple of days that's all. And her paid stats are getting lower which means that her book is already linked with other authors. I hope yours too very soon!

        Isn't this exciting?

        Rosa
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5575014].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
          Originally Posted by pianorosa View Post

          Congrats Kerry! I've never written any fiction books but they do VERY VERY well! After the free promotion, you should get some sales right away. Yesterday, another student of mine reported back her stats, and she promoted her first book and got about 250+ downloads (something around there). Somehow the promotion now does not draw a big number like I used to 2 weeks ago. Anyhow, after the promotion, she got a few sales and now up to 6. Only a couple of days that's all. And her paid stats are getting lower which means that her book is already linked with other authors. I hope yours too very soon!

          Isn't this exciting?

          Rosa
          Hi Rosa, reading what you have said I'm wondering if lot's of people got a Kindle for Christmas then went a bit nuts with the free downloads and now they are all full!

          could I ask, what does "And her paid stats are getting lower which means that her book is already linked with other authors" mean? I am completely new at this so any information I can put to good use is gratefully received!

          thank you!
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5576470].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author pianorosa
            Originally Posted by kerry3280 View Post

            Hi Rosa, reading what you have said I'm wondering if lot's of people got a Kindle for Christmas then went a bit nuts with the free downloads and now they are all full!

            could I ask, what does "And her paid stats are getting lower which means that her book is already linked with other authors" mean? I am completely new at this so any information I can put to good use is gratefully received!

            thank you!
            Maybe you are right about people going crazy with their free downloads during Christmas time.

            Today I saw the KDP Select fund for Feb - it is only $600,000. In Jan, it was $700,000. I wonder how much we will get for each borrowed units for Jan. Will be higher or lower than Dec? We will see.

            About the number paid stats, you scroll to the bottom where it says: Product Details. You read the Amazon Best Seller's Rank. Right beside that, you see a number. The lower the number, the better are your sales. Most of us manage to get to around 10,000. So if you can get your number lower and lower, it means your book is ranking higher and higher in Amazon.

            Before she did the promotion, she also didn't have the section where it says: Customers who bought this item also bought....

            You want your book to link with other books of what people are buying.

            Rosa
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5578175].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
              Originally Posted by pianorosa View Post

              Maybe you are right about people going crazy with their free downloads during Christmas time.

              Today I saw the KDP Select fund for Feb - it is only $600,000. In Jan, it was $700,000. I wonder how much we will get for each borrowed units for Jan. Will be higher or lower than Dec? We will see.

              About the number paid stats, you scroll to the bottom where it says: Product Details. You read the Amazon Best Seller's Rank. Right beside that, you see a number. The lower the number, the better are your sales. Most of us manage to get to around 10,000. So if you can get your number lower and lower, it means your book is ranking higher and higher in Amazon.

              Before she did the promotion, she also didn't have the section where it says: Customers who bought this item also bought....

              You want your book to link with other books of what people are buying.

              Rosa
              Thank u Rosa for being so helpful!

              Mine says #227 in amazons bestseller list but im guessing that is just because thats the free downloads list!
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5578283].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author pianorosa
                Originally Posted by kerry3280 View Post

                Thank u Rosa for being so helpful!

                Mine says #227 in amazons bestseller list but im guessing that is just because thats the free downloads list!
                Hey, #227 is excellent. Right after the number it would say:

                - #227 Free in Kindle Store

                or

                - #227 Paid in Knidle Store

                Which one is it?

                Rosa
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5579118].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
                  Originally Posted by pianorosa View Post

                  Hey, #227 is excellent. Right after the number it would say:

                  - #227 Free in Kindle Store

                  or

                  - #227 Paid in Knidle Store

                  Which one is it?

                  Rosa
                  It says free kindle store and now at #8 in my category. havent attempted to sell it yet!
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5579186].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author pianorosa
                    Originally Posted by kerry3280 View Post

                    It says free kindle store and now at #8 in my category. havent attempted to sell it yet!
                    Good work! At the end of your book, do you have a link for people to go back to your Amazon book? This was something I overlooked in the past.

                    When you first upload your book, you don't know the URL link to the kindle book. But after it is published, then the link goes live. It's good to take this extra step to put that link in so that buyers can come back in and perhaps even write a review for you. Just say something like: If you have found this book helpful, I would love to hear from you. Click on the following link and give me a feedback. (Something to that effect). I find this very helpful.

                    Rosa
                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5583243].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
        Originally Posted by sidenote View Post

        Congrats to your success on Kindle. So short stories can be a hit with Kindle. That's good to know. I am curious did you optimize your title, page or profile for the search engines? How do you think you got so much traffic to your book in a short amount of time. While you can always rely on Kindle viewers browsing through the categories, you seem to have gotten lots of traffic in a short amount of time. Anything significant you may have done?

        Thanks
        Cordy
        Hi there, well at I type it's ranked at #7 in it's category and #230 on the overall free bestsellers list. I haven't optimzed at all. In fact I think I probably undersold it as I put about ten words in the description and have done nothing else. I don't have a twitter following or a fb page or anything. I'm really, really at a loss as to why it is doing so well. But, saying that, I am sure that as soon as it goes to paid status it will drop like a stone. :p
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5576456].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author sidenote
          Originally Posted by kerry3280 View Post

          Hi there, well at I type it's ranked at #7 in it's category and #230 on the overall free bestsellers list. I haven't optimzed at all. In fact I think I probably undersold it as I put about ten words in the description and have done nothing else. I don't have a twitter following or a fb page or anything. I'm really, really at a loss as to why it is doing so well. But, saying that, I am sure that as soon as it goes to paid status it will drop like a stone. :p

          Thanks for responding to my questions, as I also have my first ebook published with Kindle and have not done anything special though am thinking about putting it in the KDP Library now. I am excited about your progress, it does give me some encouragement as well.

          Now, as mentioned in the earlier post, get back to work with the next short story or sequel... and keep up the good work!!
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5582211].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hotwebwords
    Congratulations. I have 11 or 12 (haha I lost track) titles on the Kindle now but I haven't got around to any fiction yet. Just haven't been in the mood.

    Your copy must be good to already being grabbing those downloads. Good job!
    Signature

    Do you have Hot Web Words earning you $3,000+ a month?

    Build your website rank this week with SEVEN BMR posts for $5.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5576499].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AngelaLuo
    Congrats !
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5576512].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SamuelUherek
    I'm happy for you man. It's always a great feeling when something works faster than you think it would.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5576581].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Vishalicious
    Congrates!
    keep up the good work.
    would you mind sending me link to your book
    Signature
    Outsource Your Offline Business Projects. Just Send me a PM :)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5576622].message }}
  • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5577474].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Luke Rafferty
    congratulations, get writing the next one, then the novel.......
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5577527].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tenzho
    Wow, why don't put affiliate link in your ebook?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5577586].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Wilton White
    Congratulations on the success of your short story! Kindle is a great platform that allows for many avenues of monetization or exposure. Keep the books coming; it gives you more options over time.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5577633].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
    How exciting! Congratulations.
    Signature
    Learn Website Tips, How to Do Keyword Research, & How to Write Killer Content.
    Stop Wasting Time.
    Start Living Your Dream.
    Click Here NOW to Get Your Hands on
    One of the Most Valuable Ebooks Ever!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5577676].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
    I recently purchased a WSO that also mentioned being able to give your books away. However, I can't find how you do that.

    I have books enrolled in the Lending Library, so Prime members can download them free - is that what you mean? Or is there some other way of me giving them away.

    At present, it seems that the minimum price I can set in my account is $0.99
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5577919].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
      Originally Posted by Will Edwards View Post

      I recently purchased a WSO that also mentioned being able to give your books away. However, I can't find how you do that.

      I have books enrolled in the Lending Library, so Prime members can download them free - is that what you mean? Or is there some other way of me giving them away.

      At present, it seems that the minimum price I can set in my account is $0.99
      Hi there,

      If you have them enrolled in KDP select you can give them away for free for 5 days in any 90 day period. If you go to your bookshelf, tick the book you want to promote, then under actions go into manage promotions and you should be able to do it from there.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5577980].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
        Originally Posted by kerry3280 View Post

        Hi there,

        If you have them enrolled in KDP select you can give them away for free for 5 days in any 90 day period. If you go to your bookshelf, tick the book you want to promote, then under actions go into manage promotions and you should be able to do it from there.

        Hi Kerry

        Thank you very much. And congratulations on your success too.

        Will
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5578011].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Question : Is it possible to do this, but somehow capture a list?
    Signature

    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5578456].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kerry3280
      Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

      Question : Is it possible to do this, but somehow capture a list?
      I was wondering that too, the only way I can think of is to set up an 'author' website with a link at the end of the book referring them to it with an 'opt-in' button for news on new releases
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5578787].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    Congratulations Kerry! Great job.

    Hard work always pays off. Hopefully this will boost your reputation as an awesome writer and your business will benefit greatly in the long run. 200 downloads in 9 hours is quite impressive indeed
    Signature

    >>>Get your websites ACTUALLY ranked by checking these out: Quantum SEO Labs, Home Page Link Building & SERP Ability. Want to get rid of negative listings? Check out Reputation Enhancer.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5579009].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bjarne Eldhuset
    You could end your book with something like "Read part two" or "Click here to read the long awaited sequel to this book for free!", and then send them to a landing page to capture their e-mail. You could also deliver part two as one chapter daily etc.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5579245].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Christines Dream
      Kerry, that's awesome! 200 downloads in 9 hours IS great. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing your success.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5579976].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ActA
    Good job about your kindle story !
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5580075].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JennyBizz
    That's awesome! You have just motivated me to finish my Kindle project ASAP!!!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5580106].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IM Lover
    Hi Kerry

    Congratulations that's a fantastic achievement I must say, I have never actually looked into using Kindle before at all, I have a pretty good flare for writing "Or so I have been told"

    Perhaps I should think about implementing that.

    -Lee
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5580551].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JennyBizz
    You have inspired me to put the one book I do have up on Kindle out for a 5 day free promotional period. The free period started this morning and I have already had 88 downloads. I'm pretty excited about it!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5586627].message }}

Trending Topics