Writing Sales' Gimmicks

I'm not a fan of the gimmicks some authors use to try to attract readers or up sales. I consider some of them to be manipulative, underhanded, and unethical. I think the best way to attract and keep readers, thereby building a fan-base, is to write a wonderful story and be sensitive to the readers. Gimmicks might increase sales short-term, but I don't think they'll keep readers long-term.

Putting a cliffhanger at the end of a story is one such gimmick. Authors do this thinking they'll have the reader hooked, and they'll want to buy the next book in the series to see what happens. I think this is despicable. I feel the author has an unwritten contract with the reader to present a complete story, and to not do so without being upfront about it is dishonest. Thankfully, I've seen a few authors who do say that their book leaves things hanging at the end, and I have no problem with this. However, I will never buy the next book when an author does this without forewarning.

Giving away free books is another way many authors hope to lure readers. This is more ethical and doesn't affect the readers in the negative way a cliffhanger does, where they buy a faction of a book thinking it's complete. However, I question whether or not free books are effective or if they might actually hurt authors in the long run. I've offered my books on sale for as low as 99 cents, but I've yet to make them free. However, I am monitoring this and may experiment with it down the road. Right now, I'm too skeptical.

Drawings for books or free prizes, especially through Rafflecopter or some other such engine also bothers me. For one thing, it takes a long time to do all their little tasks. For another, it gives away my information and usually signs me up to a newsletter. Although there's nothing wrong with all this for those who choose to participate, it's not for me. I see it as a waste of time, and I'd rather spend my time writing or reading.

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