I usually have my books
available for pre-order
for a couple of months
before the release date.
There’s quite a bit
of discussion in the industry
about whether or not
a writer/publisher should offer pre-orders.
IMHO… it comes down
to whether or not
the writer/publisher can sell pre-orders.
Pre-orders are delayed gratification
which is challenging for everyone.
There has to be a ‘reward’ to offset that.
In my case,
my stories usually have a twist.
One of my readers’ greatest fears
is hearing about that twist
before she has read the story.
So she ‘pays the price’
and pre-orders the story.
“If you’re trying
to persuade someone
to make an investment,
buy some insurance
or support a new plan,
please consider that
human beings are terrible
at buying these things.
What we’re good at is ‘now.’
Right now.
When we buy a stake in the future,
what we’re actually buying is
how it makes us feel today.”
If you’re selling the future,
you have to offer something
to offset that advanced payment.