Preorder Your Book: Why I don't recommend it!

A question I get asked a lot is does preordering affect my book sales? With many authors authors setting up preorder for their books the big question is is it right for you.

In this video I go through exactly what preordering is. How one can benefit from doing preorders. And what exactly will hurt you if you set up preordering for your book.

So, check it out!

WANT TO SELL YOUR BOOKS LIKE A PRO:

GET MY FREE BOOK ON INCREASING YOUR EBOOK'S RANKINGS ON AMAZON

WHAT TOOLS TO SUCCESSFUL SELF PUBLISHERS USE?

LET'S SOCIALIZE!

[KeithWheelerBooks]

Wow Dave. I'd never thought of it this way. Very interesting rationale. I'd always looked at pre-orders as a great way to get more visibility via the New Release categories. While I also suggest running ads to the book while on pre-order, you bring up solid points.
Thanks for always making me think.

[lauralai]

Many authors think and recommend the pre-order. Therefore, I've never thought of it as a possibility to 'hurt your algorithm' on AMZ but your reasoning makes sense and is very clear. To be honest, I personally prefer the give away -I hope to be abe to buy and to offer. And, hopefully, most of those who will receive it will also have the kindness to leave a review.

[andreasmith]

I learned this the hard way with one of my novellas. I'll never make that mistake again!

[LianaBuzea]

I agree. At my current level (small community) I wouldn't do a pre-sale campaign on Amazon. I'd do it in my community and, once the book is done, I'd upload it for official sales through KDP. ✌️

[texancounselor]

Thanks! I never really liked the idea of pre-orders. I would prefer to launch my book when it is ready and then blast it out to my readers.

[buttercupsandlegobricks]

I plan to do a pre-order campaign for the first 500 copies of my book, which will be printed locally in Altona, Manitoba (Canada). I will be overseeing the first print run of my book in the facility —what an experience that will be! Those first copies will be a special first release that will come before I ever release the book on Amazon or through Ingram Spark/Google/etc. I will definitely advertise the release date for Amazon, without taking pre-orders on that platform for the reasons stated in this video.

[bobnolin]

This was VERY helpful, says this about-to-be first-time author. Keep in mind that, once you go live (not pre-sale), if you are in KU, you can't send reviewers ARC ebooks.

[JanetButlerMaleWriter]

Intuitively I've never liked the idea of a prelaunch, have never done one, and I'm glad you've confirmed my vibe. BTW, Rocket is fab -- love the new 'Release the Categories' feature. Thanks for all your help with Indieworld, Dave.

[LaMoniqueMac]

Dave I usually use preorders as a way to keep myself in check with a firm KDP deadline . Now that you’ve given me this information I’m thinking preorders might be better done on my website or Facebook store.

[dgsublimeshine]

Thanks for your videos! Do you recommend wide publishing or KDP?

[aditisaxenapublishing]

Thanks for the insights. As a new author your videos helped me a lot. Looking forward to get more info and insights.

[HeartWorkOrganizing]

Thanks, Dave. I've had some of these same concerns, even as other "book gurus" out there are screaming that you must do presales for a successful book launch. Given the way Amazon counts presales orders now (and of course, things can and will change in the future), it's good to know that presales are not all that AND a bag of chips.

[elanem]

I prepaid for some books a few years ago but still have not received the books and I have reached out to the author several times but get several different excuses from the book is on the way or Uses Amazon for an excuse. I am fed up with this scam just to get money but the book is not out I just going to wait until I see the physical book before I buy

[vinseunath]

Great info... I put my book on pre-order... I understand it's not a good thing for me.... how can I fix this? Do I just take it off pre-order? Obviously I should have done this research BEFORE I clicked pre-order 🙃

[herbalsutraslifesutras-byl]

Thank God ! I was planning to put my book on preorder next week!! Thanks

[yogeshchandra]

Thank you so much Dave. I almost put my upcoming book on preorder.

[-tj]

Fascinating. Excellent video and channel.

[heatherjean]

Thanks for the information. I've found YouTube videos that push pre-orders as a way to make more money. I am a new author so pre-orders are not going to work for me.😅

[ginabradley]

Wow! Thanks for the insight. Making me rethink preorders as a tool for books 2 and beyond. Thanks Dave!

[matthewspeak]

Love this advice. The only issue I see is the fact that you kind of have to do some amount of pre-order in order to make sure your book comes out when you say it's coming out. Would you say a week ahead of time is too much time?