The TLDNR is that I’m no longer using that spreadsheet, so I’m no longer having it updated. And I don’t want to sell something that I’m not using for my writing. Below, I’ll update on what I’m using to track my word count goals, and offer some alternatives for you.

Word Count Tracker Spreadsheet (Background)

Writing, much like any other art form, requires dedication, practice, and a touch of discipline. One of the most effective ways to hone your craft is by setting clear, tangible goals, and what’s more tangible than the number of words you pen down each day? This blog delves into the significance of tracking your daily word count and how it can transform your writing journey.

It’s what helped me be more productive with my writing (14 published novels and counting), so I’m a true believer in setting project word count goals and daily word count goals to meet that target.

Benefits of Tracking Daily Word Count

Consistency in Writing: The key to mastering any skill is consistent practice. By setting a daily word count goal, you’re committing to write regularly, which not only improves your skills but also keeps your project steadily moving forward.

Motivation and Accountability: Watching those word counts climb each day is incredibly satisfying. It’s a visual representation of your effort and progress, serving as a motivator to keep going, especially on days when inspiration seems to be on a vacation.

Measuring Progress: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a large writing project. Breaking it down into daily word count goals makes it more manageable, allowing you to see your gradual progress towards the finish line.

Identifying Patterns: By tracking your daily word count, you may begin to notice patterns in your writing habits – what time of day you write best, which environments boost your productivity, and how your mood influences your output.

The Concept

The concept is simple. You set a daily word count goal which you try to hit every day. I first learned about this from Stephen King, who famously writes 2,000 words a day. He wrote about this in his wonderful book On Writing.

Many other writers do this. On my podcast, “Meet the Thriller Author,” I’ve interviewed over two hundred authors. Including legends like Dean Koontz, Walter Mosley, and Lee Child. I always ask if they set word count goals. And just about every single one answered yes. So this is an important strategy used by bestselling authors, so I too would do this in my writing process.

Developing my Word Count Tracking Spreadsheet

I’ve tried just about every software program, word app, and spreadsheet out there to track my word count goals. Even though my writing software (Scrivener) had a word count tracker built it in, I found a spreadsheet helped me even more. I started with a basic word count tracking spreadsheet, then kept trying others with more features. Unhappy with what was available, I decided to create my own spreadsheet. There was an enormous obstacle for me to overcome, though. I knew what I wanted on my word tracking spreadsheet, but to achieve that was well beyond my Excel skills. So, I posted a job on Upwork and hired an Excel programming whiz to create my dream Word Tracking Spreadsheet.

I shared it with writer friends who love it. So, I decided to put it up for sale. My primary goal was to recoup my out-of-pocket cost of paying the Excel whiz to create it. To my surprise, I sold way more than I thought I would. Every year, I would hire the Exel whiz on Upwork to update the spreadsheet, and would offer that spreadsheet for sale.

By mid-2022, I found myself not using it daily, like I used to. And I used other forms of tracking my word count goals (more on that in a bit).

By the end of 2022, I knew I wouldn’t be using my tracker anymore, so I didn’t have it updated for 2023. It was abrupt, and I didn’t let anyone know, so when I got messages asking for the 2023 version, I felt guilty. As 2023 ends, I won’t be using the tracker next year either, so I will longer be selling it. So I wrote this post for previous customers, or folks who found my tracker whilst searching online for one. I figured this is better than a 404-error page. I also wanted to provide some alternatives and share what I’m doing now, since, yes, I still track my word count every day.

Tracking my Word Count Now

As clear from this post, how I track my word count might change, again. That’s the main takeaway from all this. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just that you’re tracking your word count will help you achieve your writing goals. I know writers that track their word count longhand on a notebook.

Currently, I’m using the word count tracker in Scrivener. They really amped up the word count tracker a few years ago, and it’s fantastic. I found I no longer needed the spreadsheet.

Using this tool, you can easily set writing goals by setting up your word count goals. Then you can manage your writing schedule so that you can meet those goals.

You can get more detailed information about the Scrivener word count tracker from the Scrivener website. But here is the quick lowdown on it.

To track word count in Scrivener, you can: 

1. Go to the Projects drop-down menu
2. Click Project Targets
3. Use the keyboard shortcut command shift T
4. The pop-up window will display two bars
5. The top bar shows the word count for the entire manuscript
6. Click in the number box after the word “of” to set a goal for the manuscript
7. Press Enter/Return
8. To see the current word count, look at the footer while writing
9. To see the total word count for multiple texts, select them in the Binder

You can also hover over the Quick Search bar to see the word count and progress bars.

I enable notifications so it alerts me where I’m at with my goals. My daily goal is 1,667 words per day. If you’re familiar with Nanowrimo, you’ll know that’s how many words you need to write a day to hit 50K. My manuscript goal is 50,000-60,000 words for my thrillers, so that’s a nice goal to try to write a novel in 30-45 days.

Honarable Mentions

Pacemaker Planner

One of the best online tools to track word count is Pacemaker Planner which helps you plan out your entire year and manage multiple deadlines without spreadsheets. I recorded a video and wrote about using Pacemaker Planner and it’s fun features to write a cozy mystery novel in less than thirty days.

Word Counter App

I love this app! It’s Mac only (sorry). It sits on my computer and tracks my word count on all apps (Chrome, Scrivener, Text, etc). And it generates beautiful graphics to help visualize it. It’s only $19.99. Like Scrivener, that’s a onetime fee, not those annoying yearly subscription plans.

Keep on Tracking and Writing

As mentioned before, there are many ways to track your word count. Try the one that works best for you. If you miss my Word Count Tracker spreadsheet, feel free to update it. If you can’t do this yourself, you can hire an Excel programmer to do it for you on Upwork or Fiverr. Should cost around $50. Feel free to use one of my old spreadsheets and just tell them to update it for 2024 and beyond.

Good luck with your writing!

The post Word Count Tracker Spreadsheet: An Update appeared first on Fictive Universe.

Migrating WordPress Site to New Host (DreamHost)

As previously mentioned, I use WordPress, which makes setting up and maintaining a website easy, in my opinion. If you don’t use WordPress, this article, and the video below, won’t apply to you.

This isn’t the first time I changed web hosts, requiring me to move my websites. The last time was a few years ago and I used a third-party WordPress plugin to move my websites. This time, I went with DreamHost, which often makes the top of the best web host deals out there.

DreamHost has their own WordPress migration plugin, which I found much easier to use than the other one I used the last time I changed web hosts.

But don’t worry, if you get stuck, you’re not your own. I had an issue with the migration key and with one of my sites moved to the wrong server, and support was fast to help me. But after those hiccups, the process was smooth thanks to the plugin. I’ll break down my process step-by-step. I also recorded a video moving my last website, so you can check that out below or on my YouTube channel (be like and subscribe).

The Move

Preparation Steps:

1. Backup Your Website: Before any migration, ensure you have a complete backup of your website. This includes your database, all files, themes, and plugins.
2. Check Compatibility: Verify that your current WordPress version is compatible with DreamHost. Update if necessary to avoid any compatibility issues.
3. Clean Up: Remove any unnecessary files, plugins, or themes. This not only streamlines the migration process but also improves your website’s performance.
4. Hold off Canceling: Don’t cancel your account with your old web host until you migrated your websites over to the new host, so give yourself a few days before the renewal date is due.

Using the DreamHost Migration Plugin:

1. Install the Plugin: Log in to your WordPress dashboard on your existing host. Install and activate the DreamHost Automated Migration plugin.
2. Enter Your DreamHost Credentials: You’ll need your DreamHost panel username and password. The plugin securely connects to your DreamHost account.
3. Initiate the Migration: Follow the on-screen instructions to start the migration. The process involves transferring your files, database, and configurations to DreamHost’s servers.
4. Monitor the Process: The plugin will provide updates on the migration status. A typical migration can take a few hours, depending on the size of your website.

Post-Migration Checks:

1. Test Your Website: After the migration, thoroughly test your website to ensure everything is functioning as expected. Check links, images, and website loading speed.
2. Update DNS Settings: Log into your domain name registrar account (I use Namecheap), and point your domain to DreamHost’s servers. DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, so some visitors might still be directed to your old site during this time.
3. Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues, consult DreamHost’s support or the detailed guides in their knowledge base.

Remember, successful migration hinges on careful planning and execution. With the DreamHost Migration Plugin, the process is streamlined, but attention to detail is key to a smooth transition.

Real time Video

I recorded myself moving one of my websites. You can watch the video down below or on YouTube.

The post Migrating WordPress Site to New Host: A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Fictive Universe.

Background

As an author, blogger, or online marketer, creating customized Amazon links is a crucial skill. It not only helps in tracking the performance of your products but also in marketing them efficiently in order to receive an affiliate commission from Amazon.

I use these a lot for my podcast website and book review site. The easiest way to generate Amazon affiliate links is using their SiteStripe add-on, but the problem with that is that it often bugs out on me, and it won’t work when I need it.

SiteStripe Unable to generate link

Amazon will fix it, but it takes a while. Other fixes I’ve tried are convoluted, especially since I’ve already carved out time to set up these posts with the tracking id at that time.

How to Create Customized Amazon Links

The easiest way is to have a standard Amazon link ready to go, so you can just replace the ASIN.

In this post, we’ll walk through the simple steps to create these links.

Step 1: Locate Your ASIN or ISBN
First, you need the ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) or ISBN (for books) of the product. You can find this on the product’s Amazon page, usually listed in the product details section.

Step 2: Understand the Basic Amazon Link Structure
A standard Amazon link looks like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ASIN?&linkCode=sl1&tag=YourTag-20
Here, ASIN is where you’ll insert your product’s ASIN or ISBN, and YourTag-20 is where your unique Amazon affiliate tag goes.

Step 3: Insert Your ASIN or ISBN
Replace ASIN in the link with your product’s specific ASIN or ISBN. For instance, if your ASIN is B0BWNW9G8X, your link should look like:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BWNW9G8X?&linkCode=sl1&tag=YourTag-20

Step 4: Add Your Affiliate Tag
Replace YourTag-20 with your Amazon affiliate tag. This is essential for tracking sales or referrals.

Step 5: Test Your Link
Always test the link to ensure it directs to your product’s page. A simple click should tell you if everything is set up correctly.

Using ChatGPT to create Amazon Links

All the process described above is simple. I saved a standard custom link in a Google sheet, then when I needed a new one, I would open it up and replace the ASIN. But that wasn’t as smooth as I wanted it to be, so I tried ChatGPT, and it did a nifty job creating the Amazon link!

The first prompt was simple and straightforward:

Use this link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ASIN?&linkCode=sl1&tag=trbookreviews-20 and replace this text: ASIN with this text: B07QGQCDVF to create an updated link.

ChatGPT created the link…

Once you have that first prompt completed, you can go into that chat history, and then just use this prompt:

Create another link with this text: B0BQLKNTYR

Just update it with the new ASIN, and ChatGPT will generate the Amazon link with your tracking id for you. Saves some time, then using a spreadsheet.

SiteStripe Unable to generate link (watch the video to see this in action)

The post SiteStripe unable to generate link? Use ChatGPT, instead. appeared first on Fictive Universe.

We often face challenges when it comes to finding the perfect images. The use of copyrighted images can lead to legal issues, but thankfully, there are royalty-free images that indie authors can use. Here are a few reasons why indie authors should use royalty-free images.

First and foremost, using royalty-free images protects indie authors from copyright infringement. Copyright laws can be complex and confusing, and even unintentionally using copyrighted images can lead to legal issues. By using royalty-free images, indie authors can avoid any potential legal trouble.

Additionally, royalty-free images are often more cost-effective for indie authors. Purchasing images from stock photo websites can be expensive, especially for indie authors who may be on a tight budget. Royalty-free images are typically much cheaper and can be a great alternative for indie authors looking to save money.

Using royalty-free images also allows indie authors to have more control over their book cover designs. When using copyrighted images, indie authors may be limited in how they can use and manipulate the images. With royalty-free images, indie authors have more flexibility to create the perfect book cover design for their work.

Lastly, using royalty-free images can be a great way for indie authors to support other artists. Many royalty-free image websites are created and maintained by artists who want to share their work with others. By using royalty-free images, indie authors can help support these artists and potentially discover new artists to collaborate with in the future.

In conclusion, indie authors should consider using royalty-free images for their book cover designs. Not only does it protect them from legal issues, but it can also be more cost-effective and offer more creative control. Plus, it’s a great way to support other artists in the community.

Where to Find Royalty Free Images?

I use Depositphotos. They have 195+ million premium images on their website and thanks to a fantastic deal via AppSumo, you can purchase blocks of 100 images for just $39! These credits never expire on Depositphoto, so there is no worry or rush. Get your royalty free images and use them as needed. You can also get multiple packs of 100, so if you want 300 images, pay $117 and you can get even more than that! Just pay $39 per pack of 100 royalty free images from Depositphoto and you’ll be set for life.

In this video, I’ll show you the deal and walk you through how to order since I just bought a 100-image pack to add to my account. This is a limited time deal via AppSumo, so don’t lollygag if you’re looking for quality royalty free stock images. Get this amazing deal now.

The post Royalty Free Images for Book Covers and More appeared first on Fictive Universe.

How to write an action-packed thriller.

As a thriller author and podcast host of MEET THE THRILLER AUTHOR, I’m sometimes asked for tips on how to write a thriller. Here is my take on the subject.

But first, writing techniques are subjective. What works great for me might not for you. But these strategies have been around since the start of the thriller genre.

Writing a thriller is one of the most difficult things you can do as a writer. It requires a lot of planning and a deep understanding of character and plot development. The genre is full of cliched elements, so it’s important to find creative ways to make your story stand out. Here are seven strategies to help you write an action-packed thriller that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats.

• Start with an exciting event.
• Create interesting characters.
• Build suspense.
• Introduce twists and turns.
• Make it unpredictable.
• Keep the pacing fast.
• Add a touch of realism.

1. Start with an exciting event.

The very first element of a good thriller is a gripping opening sequence. It should be high in energy and suspense and make your readers immediately interested in what’s going to happen next. You can do this by setting up a scene of suspense and danger, introducing a mysterious character, or even starting off with a murder.

2. Create interesting characters.

No thriller would be complete without interesting characters. Make sure your characters are well-developed, with distinct personalities, motivations, and conflicts. Create characters that your readers can relate to and care about, so they’ll be invested in the story and concerned with their fate.

3. Build suspense.

Suspense is the key to a successful thriller. It’s what keeps your readers hooked and turning the pages. To create suspense, use techniques like foreshadowing, red herrings, and cliffhangers. Start each chapter with a question or an event that will keep your readers engaged.

4. Introduce twists and turns.

Twists and turns are an essential part of any thriller. They make the story more unpredictable and keep your readers guessing. To create these twists, use shocking revelations, unexpected plot points, and surprise endings.

5. Make it unpredictable.

Nothing kills a thriller faster than predictability. Make sure your story is full of unexpected plot points and unexpected characters. Leave your readers guessing and make them wonder what will happen next.

6. Keep the pacing fast.

A thriller should be fast-paced and full of action. Don’t let your story drag or bog down; keep the pacing tight and the action moving. Make sure your readers never get bored or lose interest.

7. Add a touch of realism.

Although a thriller should be high in suspense and danger, it should also be grounded in reality. Make sure your story and characters have depth and complexity; add details that make the story and characters more believable and relatable.

By following these seven strategies, you can write an action-packed thriller that will keep your readers hooked and wanting more. Just remember to start with an exciting event, create interesting characters, build suspense, introduce twists and turns, make it unpredictable, keep the pacing fast, and add a touch of realism. With these tips, you can create an exciting, suspenseful thriller that will have your readers on the edge of their seats.

The post How to write an action-packed thriller (7 Strategies) appeared first on Fictive Universe.

Finally! A long, often requested feature from Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing account is to remove a book from our KDP Bookshelf account.

Until recently, this was not possible. Even if you unpublished a book, it sat there on the KDP Bookshelf cluttering up space forever!

I started self-publishing on KDP in 2012 and had some trial-and-error books that I long ago unpublished and never plan to make public again. So it was annoying to see those books sitting there on my KDP Bookshelf cluttering it up. So yes, I’m very excited that I can now archive those books away so I don’t have to see them in my KDP account.

How to Remove Books from KDP

Now we can archive those old books, so they’re not cluttering our account. Watch this short video to see how easy it’s to archive those old books from the KDP Bookshelf.

The post How to Remove Book From KDP Bookshelf appeared first on Fictive Universe.

I’ve been harping about the importance of book cover design on this website for ten years! I used to be dead set against using Fiverr and for years, I would dissuade any author asking online in forums or Facebook Groups from using Fiverr to find a book cover designer. In the last year or so, I’ve changed my tune. I’ll share my thoughts on using Fiverr for book cover designs and offer a case study with actual book cover design examples I had created on Fiverr.

The Video Case Study

Fiverr. Really?

Before I get to the examples, and the video case study, let me explain my train of thought about using Fiverr for book covers over the years.

The logline on Fiverr as per Wikipedia:

Fiverr is a global online marketplace for freelance services. Fiverr’s platform connects freelancers (sellers) to people or businesses looking to hire (buyers).

They launched Fiverr in 2010. During that time, I was doing a lot of affiliate marketing and hanging out in digital marketing forums where Fiverr became very popular, right off the bat.

According to Wikipedia, Fiverr went live in February 2010. I opened my Fiverr account in May 2010… within three months, so I was an early adopter of the site!

When the first site started out, I viewed more sort of like a gag site where you could find silly gigs for just five bucks. Back then, all gigs were just $5, thus the name of the site, Fiverr.

Also, back then, as I recall, Fiverr didn’t seem to put much thought to things like copyright protection or keeping scammers off the site, so it kind of became a shady spot.

You also had to worry about a scammer claiming to have designed the cover for Stephen King and will do your cover for five bucks, only for them to send you a crap cover. Or they would rip off talented designers’ covers, and use unlicensed images to boot. It was a mess.

I didn’t take Fiverr too seriously. If I wanted a book cover design, I would go to E-lance or oDesk (both gone now having become Upwork) which is why I would tell anyone that asked not to use Fiverr for book covers.

But they’ve come a long way since those days. They ditched the five buck shtick which allowed its sellers to make more than just a buck or two after Fiverr and PayPal fees, which attracted more reputable and professional people to Fiverr.

Now you can find amazingly talented people on there and affordable prices. Podcast editors, marketing services, writers, formatters and, of course, book cover designers.

You can find a ton of book cover designers on Fiverr (hundreds if not thousands).

There are three that are my go-to ones that I’ve used in the past couple of years (you can find the links to their Fiverr page below).

These book cover designers I’ve hired from Fiverr create quality book covers and they only use licensed images, which goes without saying is of utmost importance, knowing you won’t run afoul of copyright laws over the images used in the covers.

You can even be more at ease by sending them your own royalty free stock images. But you will need to send them the license agreement you have. They will ask and they won’t use the image if you don’t have proof that you have the license to use it. A long way from 2010, Fiverr, in my opinion.

How Much?

Honestly, what first drove me to try Fiverr again for book cover design was the pricing. But, I would never choose them if they couldn’t deliver a genre-focused, gorgeous cover.

Book cover designers outside of Fiverr run the gamut from around $200 to well over a $1,000. And many of them get booked out for months in advance and the process can take a lot longer than expected.

Fiverr book cover designers usually turn around their covers in 2-3 days!

So how much? If you just need the ebook cover, the price is $5. After Fiverr’s fees, it’s around $7.

Most of the designers also offer a package that includes the ebook and paperback print version of the cover. As well as a premium package, which also includes the source file (a PSD Photoshop file).

Even though I don’t use Photoshop, it’s above my tech level, I select the premium package, anyway.

I like having the source file. I can always get someone to make tweaks if needed. And I can use it in Photopea if needed.

The premium package includes all the goods:

• Ebook cover
• Print cover for paperback
• 3D cover graphic
• PSD source file

All that for just $25. Note… ends up being around $28 after the Fiverr fee is added.

It truly is an affordable book cover design!

The Design Brief

The book cover design cost via Fiverr is so affordable, that when I was trying to decide which designer to hire for a cover rebrand project I was working on for my first thriller series, I hired three of them and see which style I liked best.

I put together my design brief.

Side note: I highly recommend you put together a tight design brief which I show you in the case study video below.

I was a business analyst in my previous life (I was Tom Smykowski from Office Space), so the more details I can provide to the tech people (cover designer in this case) the better!

Doing this ensures that the delivered cover is usually spot on. Maybe a single revision is needed for minor aesthetics.

Another bonus is these designers offer free revisions so you can get the book cover just right. But usually they nail it right off the boat because I’m very clear about what I want.

Check out the video case study on how I put the document with the design specifications together.

Affordable Book Cover Design from Three Fiverr Book Cover Designers

Like I mentioned above, I’m redesigning the covers for my three Pete Maddox thriller books.

I published THE ASSET in 2013, so it’s almost a ten-year-old cover!

I loved that cover. It was the first fiction book I ever published, so it was near to my heart. But book cover design styles change, big time. And the original covers just weren’t cutting it anymore. They needed an update. But I also didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars per cover, which is why I went to Fiverr.

I ordered three gigs from three different book cover designers, so I could see what they came up with and which one was the best.

In the end, I liked all three covers, but one was the winner in my book (pun). I’ll tell you which one I chose at the end of this post, but first the three designers and their covers.

Designer #1: dhananjayaeffec

This designer is based in Sri Lanka and wow, do they have talent!

This is the cover they designed for THE ASSET:

Designer #2: rebecacovers

I’ve them frequently, and other friends have used rebecacovers. I believe they’re one of the most popular book cover designers on Fiverr, with almost 19,000 reviews with a 4.9 average rating! They’re in the Ukraine.

They also did a banger job on the cover!

Designer #3: printok

They’re in Bahrain and did a nice job with bright, vibrant colors I was after.

Affordable Book Cover Design: The Winner

I liked all the three covers, so all three designers were winners in my book, but I had to pick one, and I went with Designer #1, dhananjayaeffec. They seemed to really nail the look and feel of the book cover comps I sent them of the bestselling books in the genre and Amazon categories I’m after.

Affordable book cover design on Fiverr is possible without sacrificing quality.

Affordable Book Cover Design on Fiverr

The post Affordable Book Cover Design appeared first on Fictive Universe.

What are Amazon Attribution Tags?

According to Amazon:

Amazon Attribution is an advertising and analytics measurement solution that gives marketers insight into how their non-Amazon marketing channels perform on Amazon.

Amazon Ads Website

Amazon rolled this out to their sellers awhile back, but it’s now been made available for indie author’s KDP books. In the past, we could not track our ad links full circle, until Amazon attributions. Before Amazon attribution tags, we had data about our ad impressions and click-through rates, but no visibility if that person who clicked on our ad’s link actually bought our book. There were workarounds like using an affiliate link tag via the Amazon affiliate program, but that violated Amazon’s terms of service. Many authors took the risk of having access to that data (not the tiny commission from a book sale).

So, it excited me to discover that Amazon’s attribution tags will allow us to track just that on our Facebook Ads. And not just Facebook ads. They provide Amazon attribution tags for a bunch of sites and programs like Google AdWords, eBay, and many others. And you can even add your own platform if it’s not listed in the Amazon Attribution publisher drop-down menu currently listed.

How Does It Work?

It’s a straight-forward process. Watch my video where I show you how it works with Facebook ads. But basically, log into your AmazonAds account, click on “Management and Reporting” then on “Amazon Attribution” and follow the steps on there to create your tags.

The process is simple, so even if you don’t watch my video, you should be able to figure it out just by going to your account and clicking on “Amazon Attribution” then follow the prompts. Going through the steps that way is the best way to learn anyway, so go try it! Once you do, let me know how it went for you.

The post How Does Amazon Attribution Work for Author’s Facebook Ads appeared first on Fictive Universe.

For example, I write thrillers, I wouldn’t target J. K. Rowling just because she’s one of the most popular, widely read authors out there. Her readers, more than likely, wouldn’t care about my serial killer thriller. They might even get upset about seeing my ad for my gritty thriller when they prefer children’s fantasy books like the Harry Potter novels.

It’s best to put in a little elbow grease to find authors in your genre that you can target to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth out of your Amazon Ads.

In this video, you can watch as I set up an ad (a real Amazon ad for my latest thriller) by targeting Jo Nesbo (the bestselling of the Harry Hole detective crime novels set in Norway).

Since my thriller, Gringo Gulch, is an international crime thriller set in Costa Rica, I thought it would appeal to Jo Nesbo fans, which is why I’m targeting him for an Amazon Ad.

As you’ll see in the video, make sure to change the default settings in your bid amount. I learned the hard, and expensive way, to pay attention to those settings within the Amazon Ads dashboard.

Targeting Authors for Amazon Ads (Video)

Author Tools

There is a great software called Publisher Rocket, which makes it easier to research and find keywords, but the Amazon search box on its own packs quiet the nice marketing punch to find those juicy keywords to use for our ads.

Tip: Make sure to search Amazon in incognito mode, so that you’re not seeing search results based on your own past search history.

The post Targeting Authors for Amazon Ads appeared first on Fictive Universe.

In this post and video, I’m covering setting an email campaign to send out to my mailing list in the two weeks leading up to my book release date (July 27).

Email Marketing

Email marketing is one of the most important marketing tools we have and the one where we have the most control over.

I’ve been building my email list for several years, but I’ve never managed it well. My mailing has been sporadic and inconsistent.

For 2022, I decided I would try to send at least one email per month. I missed one month, March, but the fact I was emailing somewhat consistent this year was a vast improvement for me.

Email marketing is tricky. I hate feeling like I’m being pushy and mailing too much. But that’s because I was looking at it from a writer’s perspective, not a marketer. And if I want to sell books, I have to look at the world more and more like a marketer.

There is a reason all the big companies like Amazon mail so much. It works. I also subscribed to many lists from very successful authors in my genre, and guess what… they email a lot more than I do… a lot more.

So, for my upcoming book launch, I purchased Mal and Jill Cooper’s outstanding book, HELP, MY BOOK LAUNCH PLAN SUCKS. And sure enough hit recommend hitting your email list a lot during your book launch. Jill Cooper even offered up her email templates, which is what I used to set up my book launch email campaign.

I have one email set to go off two weeks before the book launch date, then every 2-3 days, a new email goes out.

That’s seven emails I’ll be sending in two weeks. I’ve sent five emails in six months of this year. So it’s a big change. And yes, I felt a bit cringe, but I put on that marketer hat and move forward.

I know I’ll be getting a lot of unsubscribes, but that’s a good thing. I only want people who are interested in me and my books to stay on my email list, anyway.

Email Campaign

The nice thing is that with my email marketing software, Aweber, I can set up email campaigns that are triggered to be sent to my email lists based on a specific tag. I add that tag to my list and it triggered the campaign.

Aweber will automatically send the emails so I don’t have to fret about it or think that I’m emailing too much. Set up once, and the software handles the campaign, so I can focus on the rest of my book launch plans and, of course, so I can write the next book.

Screenshot of my email campaign set up for my book launch using Aweber.

I realize most indies use Mail Chimp or Mailer Lite, not Aweber, but they also offer this type of automation.

My Email Campaign

You can watch my email campaign from inside my Aweber account in the video below.

My Book Launch

This is my thriller, GRINGO GULCH. This is the book I’m launching. If you like thrillers. Check it out!

Book Recommendation

Check out Mal and Jill Cooper’s HELP, MY LAUNCH PLAN SUCKS. This is the book I used to plan my book launch.

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