In the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a number of experiments. I had to be patient because results from the festival would determine which experiment would take priority going forward. It is astonishing that payments from Laggan are still coming in. Last week I received money from two people who each picked up a copy from there on different days in May! With that in mind, it is always possible that the Edinburgh phase might suddenly take off. Over 300 people have now paid and the project is still on track, but payments from the festival are slower than I’d hoped for. The project is still on target simply because Laggan was so successful that it could withstand a downturn.
The takeaway lesson is one that any businessman could have told me – targeting is all. As I write, there is almost a factor of ten between the rate from Laggan and Edinburgh. This is a blow because I had hoped to use Edinburgh as a model to speed up distribution. The signs are that if I repeated such a scatter-gun give-away in other cities, the project would soon be in jeopardy.
With such a fabulous return, it seems obvious that I should stick with Arran but, with winter on its way, there will be no-one passing the cottage for months. With Laggan at its core, I will be able to build on the success there but only starting in the spring. It is tempting to switch to writing-mode, get book two out and continue building the series by working on the draft of book three. That is the sensible thing to do and my preferred route. The story is burning in my head and I want to get it out there.
The other option is to figure out a way to match the targeting associated with Laggan that can also scale and is not seasonal. I’m in the middle of preparing the ground for such an experiment and pretty excited by it because it has the potential to positively impact someone else’s life. Before I can try it however, I have to perform some due diligence. That is my task for this week.
I picked up my copy at Laggan. Have you thought about contacting the Arran Banner to let them know of your experiment?
How about asking the Auchrannie re leaving a display there in the winter? Lots of visitors go there to use the Spa etc in the less reliable (?) weather of the ‘off season’ plus lots would welcome something to read whilst dodging the rain.
Good luck anyway and I look forward to reading book 2. If it is out before August next year, let me know and I’ll wend my way to Laggan once more to pick up my copy!
Hi janey,
Thanks for the ideas – I can always use more brainpower.
The Arran Banner has already covered the story, but I do love your Auchrannie idea. I never knew they were busy in the winter but when I go back over, I’ll look into it.
I hope to spend some time at Laggan in October/November. Keep an eye on the blog; I’d always welcome you for a chat and a hot brew if you take that stroll.
Hi Paul, I was thinking…maybe people could feel compelled to take the book with them because the author is offering it face to face, and nobody wants to upset a nice man like you!!!
I was just thinking how could you divide the “polite” audience (but maybe not reading and/or not paying) from your actual readers…maybe the experiment of leaving the pile of books on its own in the middel of a big city like Edinburgh would produce more payments…what do you think? Hope you’re safe, well, warm and writing…V.
Hi Valeria,
That’s an interesting notion… Damn my niceness! Seriously, though, it’s probably true that some people take the book to be congenial – as though doing me a favour – and others will take one out of curiosity. I did consider leaving piles of books around town and that remains an option for the future. For now, I have an idea that I need to investigate before executing it or laying it to rest. Payments are still coming in so I’m not worried yet but trying to learn lessons with each step.
Lovely hearing from you.