I’ll keep this short and simple:
I can’t thank you enough for spreading the word about the free offering of “People Can’t Drive You Crazy If You Don’t Give Them the Keys.”
I’m grateful enough that you allow me to wander into your life a couple of times a week for a chat. To have you participate the way you did in a one-day project was beyond what I expected — and it was a kick to watch!
I also learned some things about the power of social media – and I was moved by your efforts and comments.
A number of you have asked me how it went. Here are a few random facts:
- It’s hard to get exact numbers, and Amazon has its own ways of tallying results.
- Social media sharing starts small, then begins to snowball. Over half the downloads took place after 6:00 PM.
- By noon, it was 187th in popularity in Amazon’s free store (I didn’t realize they had a free store . . . but there are thousands of books available there).
- By 1:30, it was at #56.
- By midnight, it topped out at #4 – and reached #1 in the Self-Help category.
Now, that’s all in the “free ebook” category, so it’s not like being on the “paid bestseller” list. But here’s what was most interesting:
- After midnight, the book was no longer free, and moved back to the $10 range. But the next day, at least 100 people went ahead and purchased it anyway — which moved it to #32 in the Amazon “paid” bestseller list (top 100). Evidently, the topic hit enough of a nerve that people decided to grab it!
So that’s the power of social media – and I have you to thank for that.
What does it all mean?
Well, the book got some great exposure, thanks to your help. But something bigger happened.
Let’s assume the book has some value for people – not necessarily a New York Times bestseller, but something that might help someone figure out the sticky relationships in their lives.
By sharing the book with your circles of influence, you’ve helped those people find some potential solutions. You’ve touched their lives.
Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Thanks for partnering with me in the process. I was blown away by how many of you participated, and how far your reach is. You’re appreciated more than I can express.
So 2013 will be here shortly. Nobody knows what the year will bring, but let’s do it together. I’ll continue to knock on your e-door a couple of times a week for a chat. You’ll steer what we talk about and where the discussion goes.
Let’s encourage each other in the journey!
Kathy Collard Miller says
So glad to hear of the results. Now I understand why so many publishers want this strategy to occur.
Mike Bechtle says
They told me that with social media, they’ve found that more free exposure always generates higher sales in paper from that point on. Go figure . . .
Dean O'Bryan says
Glad to do it; appreciate your thoughts, and could only imagine that your book would be worth pushing, even though I had just gotten it! My wife saw it on FB page and was excited about it from the title! Thanks for all you do. Dean O’Bryan, catalystcoachesgroup.com and @LifeCoach4Men
Mike Bechtle says
Thanks, Dean!
Jim Ruschman says
Mike, thanks for sharing the results of your efforts. Very interesting stuff, social media. I finally wrenched a copy of your cd version out of Robin’s hands so I can listen to it in the car this week. Happy New Year!
Mike Bechtle says
Thanks, Jim – It’s not often I get to ride along with you in your car . . . thanks for the opportunity!
Patrick Yun says
That’s kind of like coming from the back of the pack and then beating Jimmie Johnson to the finish line.
Mike Bechtle says
A good way to race into the new year . . .
Tina Pham says
Congrats Mike!! 🙂 We need to thank you for offering the free gift of your great thinking! Cheers to a fabulous 2013!