Does free stuff make you want to buy the product? Many writers I know spend a lot of money on pens, pocket mirrors, emery boards, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks, etc. in order to promote their books. I wonder if it’s worth it. Because, personally, I’ve only ever once bought a book because of something I got for free at a conference. Guess what that item was?
A book.
Yep. The only thing that’s prompted me to actually buy someone’s book is another one of their books. None of that other stuff works with me.
What about you? Do bookmarks and the like move you to action?
I totally agree with you!
I love the bookmarks and stuff, but have any of them prompted me to buy a book? Probably a few.
Someone sent me a Roxanne St. Claire bookmark and I read the plotline and thought it sounded intriguing. The next time I was at Borders, I saw the book, took it off the shelf and sat down to read the first few pages. I was hooked so I bought it. 🙂
I loved the book, so I watched for her next release and bought it as well.
What works really well to motivate me to buy a book? Sample chapters. Excerpts. Basically free reads.
Kate,
So true! All those freebies are meant to make you remember the author/book. But nothing replaces the book. I often read parts of books I think I want to purchase at the library or a bookstore first.
I agree. I got a free book once that I loved and so have been buying all that author’s work ever since. But when it comes to pens, writing pads, bookmarks, buttons, magnets and the rest, I just toss ’em.
Yes, I was just at the library an hour ago and blurbs and first pages are what make me check it out.
You ‘n me, Lucie. Except I use the stuff like emery boards. I got a calculator once that I still use. I remember Gayle Wilson gave it away, but I’ve never bought one of her books.