You’ve written the book. You’ve pressed publish. Now you’re ready to share your story with the world. Cue the eBook promotion! 🎉
At Written Word Media, we’ve seen thousands of authors run successful promotions across Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, Reader Reach Ads, and more. And we’ve also seen a few common missteps that can limit your promo’s potential.
But don’t worry—these aren’t dealbreakers. In fact, consider this blog post your backstage pass to a better book launch. Let’s walk through five common promo pitfalls—and how you can turn each one into a powerful marketing win. 💪
🛍️ 1. Sending Readers to a Page That Doesn’t Convert
Why It Happens:
You’ve invested in a promo and driven readers to your Amazon page—yay! But if that page isn’t ready to impress, you may not get the downloads or sales you hoped for. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about making the most of your promo dollars by ensuring your book page is working with you, not against you.
How to Fix It:
Start by making sure your cover and blurb are doing the heavy lifting:
- Does your cover match your genre?
A thriller should look like a thriller. A cozy mystery should feel like a warm cup of tea. Browse top books in your category—does yours look like it belongs on the same shelf? Genre resonance helps readers quickly recognize that your book is exactly what they’re looking for. - Does your description hook the reader right away?
Think of your book blurb as the handshake before a first date. It should intrigue, excite, and give a clear sense of tone and stakes—all in just a few lines.
A quick polish on your book page can make a huge difference when new readers are deciding whether to click that “Buy” or “Download” button.
💸 2. Picking the Wrong Price (or Not Updating It in Time)
Why It Happens:
Life is busy. And between pricing updates and promo scheduling, it’s easy to forget to double-check that your book is free for a Freebooksy promo or $4.99 or under for Bargain Booksy.
Why It Matters:
We aim to make a high-intent match between readers and books. When a reader clicks on a promo, they expect the price they were promised. If it’s not right, the experience can be frustrating, and that can lead to fewer downloads or sales.
How to Fix It:
- Make sure your price is correctly set the day before your promo starts (we recommend adjusting the price in your dashboard at least 24 hours early to account for time zones and retailer lag).
- Choose the right pricing strategy for your goals:Want to boost rankings and widen your audience? Go with a free promo and aim for big download volume.
Looking to make some revenue and recoup ad spend? Choose a bargain promo and target the sweet spot for impulse buys.
And don’t worry—our team checks every single promo before it runs. If something’s off, we’ll reach out. But things go smoother (and more stress-free) when you’ve got the pricing aligned in advance.
🔁 3. Losing Momentum Between Promos
Why It Happens:
You pour energy into setting up a Promo Stack—maybe even run a few ads—and then… pause. Totally understandable! Life happens. But momentum matters.
Why It Matters:
Consistency creates discoverability. You’re building reader recognition and feeding the Amazon algorithm every time you promote your book. It’s a lot easier to climb the mountain when you’re already halfway up, rather than starting fresh every time.
How to Fix It:
Think in terms of cadence and rhythm. Find a promotional schedule that works for you—maybe it’s every 30 days, maybe every quarter. When you find a groove that works, stick with it. Your backlist (and your sales chart) will thank you.
Even repeating the same promotion can be incredibly effective. Readers come and go, timing changes, and promotions often perform better over time as your book’s visibility grows.
📣 4. Avoiding Ads Because They Feel Overwhelming
Why It Happens:
Facebook Ads? Amazon Ads? Targeting, creative, copywriting… It’s a lot. And if you’re already juggling writing, editing, and marketing, learning an ad platform from scratch might not feel doable.
Why It Matters:
Ads are an incredible complement to email promotions. They keep your book in front of readers beyond the inbox and help you sustain visibility, especially during and after a promo week.
How to Fix It:
You don’t have to go it alone. With Reader Reach Ads, we manage everything for you:
- Professionally designed images
- Compelling ad copy
- Data-driven targeting
- Ongoing optimization
It’s full-service ad management—without the agency price tag. Let us handle the ads so you can focus on your next chapter (literally).
📢 5. Not Promoting Your Promo (Before, During, or After)
Why It Happens:
You’ve booked a promo, so you might think your job is done. But here’s the truth: your readers want to hear from you, too. Not only that, but you’ve already shelled out the money for an email promo. It’s well worth the time and effort to amplify the promotion to your existing audience.
Why It Matters:
Your existing audience is already primed to support you—they just need to know something’s happening! And who doesn’t love a sale?! A little extra visibility from your end can give your promo a nice boost.
How to Fix It:
Marketing isn’t just about the promo day—it’s about what you do before and after. Don’t be shy—shout it from the rooftops (or at least your newsletter and socials):
Before and During Your Promo:
- Announce the deal in your newsletter (e.g., “My book is $0.99 this week on Bargain Booksy—get it before it’s gone!”)
- Share your promo graphics on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok
- Ask readers to spread the word (they love to help)
After Your Promo:
- Follow up with a thank-you post or email
- Tease what’s coming next: another promo, a new release, a sequel?
A little planning and engagement can go a long way. Treat your promo like a celebration and your readers will show up to the party!
The Final Word: Your Promo Is Part of a Bigger Story
You’re not just running a promotion. You’re building a career. A readership. A legacy.
These “mistakes” aren’t really mistakes—they’re learning opportunities. And every promo you run is a chance to get sharper, smarter, and more strategic.
At Written Word Media, we’re here to help you turn every Promo into progress. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, we’re in your corner, cheering you on and making sure your story gets the spotlight it deserves.