This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.
This month’s insecurity – Why do I get more sales through Teachers Pay Teachers and Scribd than Google Play.
That doesn’t make sense, does it? TpT and Scribd are tiny compared to Google Play. Yes, I do promote TpT in my Ask a Tech Teacher sidebar, but Google Play doesn’t offer a store widget. I’d have to separately link each book (anyone know differently?). I’ve spent more time setting up Google Play than either TpT or Scribd (it’s more complicated to me), but got much less in return.
Anyone have a similar experience? Or a different one? Does anyone sell on Google Play?
More IWSG articles:
None of My Marketing Seems to Work
Should I use my first name or an initial?
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her book at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
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All this is Greek to me Jacqui – I’m such a Luddite. Hope you get some assistance here!
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I am learning a lot from my readers. I had no idea that everyone wasn’t on it. I think I’ll worry less about it and spend my time fretting over more traditional gripes.
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I’m not familiar with Google Play. I’ll check it out now. I mostly buy books on Amazon, although I have accounts elsewhere that I purchase from.
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I’m surprised how many writers don’t use Google Play. That sounds like a missed opportunity on their part, doesn’t it?
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All I can say is that I’ve read this post – not at the stage where I can contribute anything but sympathy. Has anyone tried to contact GooglePlay to discuss the situation?
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I have sent emails. They’re no worse than Amazon.
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I was selling fairly well at GP until last month. Yet, last month sales everywhere (except Apple) were in the crapper. I do each book to their outlets. GooglePlay isn’t the easiest to use. Which is weird. It’s Google. It should be the most straight forward. http://mpaxauthor.com
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Finally–someone else who uses it. Yes, my August sales are well behind last year on both Amazon and my other big outlet–Teachers Pay Teachers. Who knows what’s going on.
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I’ve hardly sold anywhere except Amazon. I’ve seen others saying they have not had any luck with Google Play though so I don’t think you are alone. It’s so hard to keep up with all of these options! I feel clueless all the time LOL.
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There are too many options to stay on top of, aren’t there? I keep letting Google Play slide, thinking if I just ***, I’d fix it. I’m starting to think that isn’t true.
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Wish I knew a good tip; I’m still trying to keep up with all information. I’m sure you’ll get some good responses. ❤
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I’m hoping so. I could use the help!
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I anyone has any inkling in this fabulous community, I’m sure you’ll hear about it. ❤ ❤ ❤
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I keep meaning to look into selling on Google Play – I don’t have any experience to share with you. Sorry! 😀
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No worries. In truth, I don’t know anyone who sells there.
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I’m not sure how many people realize you can buy books on Google Play. I sure didn’t, even though I’ve used Scribd.
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Yes, you can sell/buy books there. Oddly, I make about the same there as I make selling on Scribd. Who would have figured?
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I don’t think my book’s even on Google Play. Not sure if my new publisher puts books there or not. Something for me to find out. Thanks.
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It’s free (of course), but took longer to set up than Amazon, is harder to track, and more difficult to promote. Odd since it’s Google.
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Good information. Thank you. I’ll have to look into it for my next one.
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I’ve not heard from anyone who had many sales on Google Play. Either readers haven’t discovered it yet or they don’t particularly like it. We’ll have to see what happens in the years to come with it.
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It tells you a lot about me that I don’t even know what “Google Play” is, which may explain why my sales flatline so consistently 😦
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There’s actually no reason you would know them because they don’t reach out to readers about their marketplace. I was so excited when they first arrived, thinking it would be another Amazon. Not.
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Sorry, wish I could help 😦 If you find out post it. 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
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Will do, Anna!
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Along with the regular channels, I’ve been using CoPromote (a Twitter sharing service) lately, and since I started I’ve noticed an uptick in the titles I promote that way.
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I will check that out. I’ve never heard of it.
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I don’t know about any of them Jacqui – I’ve only just graduated to blogland and trying to deal with that! I’m pretty sure I’ve had no sales from Twitter, but I confess I’m not good at that really. All my sales are from fb friends – so that’s not many!
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I’m curiously watching the Twitter Buy button. I wonder how that will work out for writers.
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