Let’s do a quick example of a quick launch strategy in a hot genre to get an indie author who can write fast.
Assumptions
– You can write at least 2k a day.
– You can edit 4k a day.
– You have a budget of around $500 to start.
* Or you have enough experience to write clearly without major editing.
– You are in a decently heavy in demand sub-genre
– Organic reach is not entirely removed and/or easy to locate and promote social media locations is viable
The Plan:
– Your job is to write and release a series of novellas every 3 weeks into a hot genre.
– Release a new novella every 3 weeks to sit on the charts
– Specifically the short read charts rather than the longer, more competitive ones.
– Side note, you might be able to do audio, but it would require a significantly higher initial budget.
Good:
– Make a small, decent return and break even quickly.
– This will not generate a livable income immediately but will allow you to produce content cheap.
Expected Cost & Results:
– Cost ~ $400 for 100k in editing.
– Approximately $100 in art.
Revenue expectations:
– Book 1 ~ $300
– Book 2 ~ $200, Bk 1 ~ $100
– Book 3 ~ $150, Bk 2 ~ $80, Bk 1 ~$60
– Book 4 ~ $105, Bk 3 ~ $60, Bk 2 ~ $50, Bk 1 ~ $40
Total: 300 + 300 + 290 + 255 = $1,140
ROI ~ 2.2-2.5x
Step by Step:
– Write the first 3 books to start, preferably 4.
– Release book 1, have book 2 on preorder.
– Release book 2, put book 3 on preorder.
– The entire point is to keep the cover the same. Keep editing cost to basic copy and line editing only and maybe proofing.
– You write in 2 weeks, edit in the 3rd week. Rotate constantly and have at least two more books ready on the backend, rotating constantly.
Will this work? Can this work? Yes. In a hot genre, especially one that has a bunch of readers. Constant quick releases will help build reliability and trust. The more work you have, the better.
Other Questions:
– Wide or KU?
– KU initially. You’re targeting whale readers to start.
– Wide is an option if you do not launch well.
– Stay in KU till you can’t keep up and unless you are launching a new series, pull out of KU then.
Promotions
Low cost so social media. This means your genre needs to be easy to reach via social media and willing to try new works.
Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit.
AMS category might be viable to let people know but only after you have significant number of words and books out. Do NOT use it till you have at least 3 books, preferably 5. And keep your bid extremely low.
Pricing:
– $2.99 purchase price
– KU.
Do not go cheap! The cheaper you are, the harder it will be to make money back. You want the $ from $2.99 and the contrast between it and KU to start.
Your readers are mostly in KU.
Product:
The genre is basically whatever works. The preferences for genres that aren’t doing this now.
LitRPG, progression fantasy, urban fantasy or scifi (military scifi?) might all be viable. Post-apocalyptic potentially? This is already happening in romance and mystery. Some forms of fantasy too.
How do I Know This Works:
I’ve done it.
No, I won’t say in which genre or what pen name.
But if you’re wondering why my release numbers were down, this is why.
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