Ah, the fabled boxed set—a beacon of possibility for authors looking to revitalize their backlist, boost revenue, or reach new readers. But is bundling your books the right move for you? Before you start formatting that multi-book extravaganza, let’s explore the pros and cons of creating a boxed set and how you can use it as a powerful tool in your author arsenal.
Why You Should Create a Boxed Set
1. Your Sales Are Flatlining (Or You’re Not Publishing as Often)
If your book sales have stalled or you’re taking a break from publishing new titles, a boxed set can breathe life back into your catalog. Readers love a binge-worthy experience, and a well-priced collection can entice them to grab your books in one fell swoop.
Perfect for:
- Authors who are between releases and want to keep earning.
- Series that have lost momentum but still have potential readers.
2. It’s a Revenue-Boosting Machine
Boxed sets can be a reliable income generator if priced strategically. Here’s how:
- Higher perceived value → Readers feel like they’re getting a deal, so they’re more likely to buy.
- More royalties per sale → If you’re in Kindle Unlimited (KU), a boxed set means more pages read, which translates to more income.
- Discounting power → Running an email promo on a boxed set can deliver stronger results than discounting individual books.
Pricing tip:
- Test your price point! $4.99–$9.99 is a sweet spot for a completed series, while $0.99 promos can skyrocket visibility.
3. A Smart Fix for an Uneven Series
If some books in your series outperform others, bundling them together evens the playing field. A strong book can carry weaker ones, increasing overall revenue rather than leaving some books languishing in obscurity.
Great for:
- A series where Books 1 & 2 sell well, but Books 3+ get crickets.
- Older series that need a facelift.
- Readers who won’t commit to buying multiple books individually but will happily one-click a bundle.
4. You Can Reach a New Audience
Not every reader buys book-by-book. Some only shop for complete series or collections, especially if they’re KU subscribers or audiobook fans. By offering a boxed set, you cater to completionist readers who want the whole story in one go.
When NOT to Create a Boxed Set
While boxed sets can be a powerful tool, they aren’t for every author or every situation. Here’s when you might want to hold off:
1. Your Books Are Still Selling Well Individually
If your books are still raking in solid individual sales, a boxed set could cannibalize your revenue. Why sell three books for $6.99 when readers are happily buying them at $4.99 each?
Alternative: Instead of a boxed set, try a Promo Stack give individual titles a boost.
2. Your Series Isn’t Complete
Boxed sets work best when they offer a full reading experience. If you’re still writing Book 4, a boxed set of Books 1–3 may frustrate readers. They want closure, not a cliffhanger.
Alternative: Consider a clearly labeled duet or trilogy bundle for now and release a full series boxed set later.
3. You Don’t Have Enough Books Yet
A “boxed set” of just two books? Not exactly compelling. Readers expect a true collection, and smaller sets often underperform. If you only have a couple of books, you may be better off waiting or bundling them with bonus content. A good rule of thumb here is that boxed sets should contain at least 3 books and not more than 6. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule and you know your content better than anyone else does, but this is a good starting point.
Alternative: Offer a first-in-series freebie via Freebooksy or run a Bargain Booksy promo to attract new readers.
Maximize Your Boxed Set with Marketing
If you decide to bundle, don’t let it just sit there collecting dust. Promote it!
- Email Promos: Boost visibility with a Freebooksy or Bargain Booksy email promo. We’re happy to include bundles and boxed sets.
- Facebook Ads & Amazon Ads: Reader Reach Ads can get your boxed set in front of new readers who love binge-worthy content.
- KU Strategy: If your boxed set is in Kindle Unlimited, lean into pages read as a major income driver.
Final Thoughts
A boxed set can be a powerful tool, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. If your series needs a boost, your sales have slowed, or you want to maximize royalties, a boxed set might be your next smart move. But if your individual books are selling strongly or your series isn’t complete, hold off for now.
Either way, the goal remains the same: keep readers engaged and keep your book sales strong. Whether you choose a boxed set, a promo stack, or a different strategy, Written Word Media has the tools to help you succeed.