Hi, thank you for your advice. I'm really struggling with the price and trying to market it. I priced it based on other ebooks similar to mine, but those were from known authors. My concern comes in that if I price it low, I may not get enough sales anyway to justify the lower royalty. My print book is coming out soon and that same problem is cropping up where I have to price it higher to make literally any money off of it.
So I'm not really sure what to do.
About the pricing, I see where you are coming from but think of it like this, if you priced 7.99 most likely you won't be making anything. It will be extremely difficult for you to sell any books at that price so you wouldn't be making a royalty anyway. Trust me, you'll sell way more books at say 4.99 or lower than you would at 7.99.
Also, remember one of the best things about being indie is YOU are in charge so you are free to change prices and test things out. I see you changed it to 4.99. Try it at that price for a while and do some promotion. Unfortunately many promo options like Bookbub, etc. favor lower-priced books and discounts so you can try things like an Amazon ad or Facebook ads if you feel like taking the time to learn. Also, start a mailing list ASAP. Open an account with Mailchimp if you haven't and put the link to the list in the back of your books and get sign ups. A mailing list is where you will find your most devoted fans so you can just mail a release whenever you have one.
If you want free promotional ideas you can start with these:
Mailing list (Free)
Promote in Facebook groups (don't spam). Only promote in groups that allow promotion and try to stick with groups that fit your genre.
Cross promotion with other authors in your genre. Try finding them here on AW or on Facebook.
Also, join as many self-publishing forums and groups as you can to learn as much as you can and get all the support you need.
You can also share samples of your work and give out copies for reviews, etc.
When you're new, it's more important to get out there and just let folks know who you are. Don't focus so much on sales at this point. You need to focus on building your brand and making yourself familiar to readers AND authors in your genre because that's how you get so many promotional opportunities, working with other authors. Don't underestimate cross promotion. I feel it's the best promotion out there.
So don't get down on sales and don't check your reports and ranking everyday. LOL! I know it's hard not to but that's counterproductive. You can try promoting a while and then check to see how the efforts or going so you can see what works and what doesn't promotion wise.
Also, I'd say give it a few months to see if you're selling anything and if you haven't, I'd suggest try putting the book in KU. Now I don't care for KU personally and I am not in it but for a new author, it can help get eyes on your work. In KU readers can download the book for free and you'd get page reads but the value in that for a new author is it allows you to test the water. So if you don't see sales coming in a few months after you've promoted and lowered the price, KU might be something you want to try and you will at least get some readers and some reviews. You'll also make a little money too.
Normally I'd tell people to stay away from KU but it can be good for certain authors and books. I hear it's still good for newbies to gain readers. Readers are more hesitant with new writers so KU helps break that barrier and if they like your work they'll stay with you.
Once again, good luck! And don't be overwhelmed or anything. There are people to help you.
