Selling 1000 books a month

[BrianKittrell]

IF the trend continues, I'll be over 1000 for the month. It's at almost 500 now, less than halfway through, and the sales have picked up dramatically for unknown reasons today. I'm used to about 20 a day on book #1 and 10 a day on #2, but book 1 has gotten to about 40 and 2 has hit about 20-25 itself. I only have two books out. (I have four items for sale, but I try to encourage people to go to places they can download the other two for free.)

If I make it to 1000 this month, it will be amazing.

It should be noted that I don't write the American classics or any such thing. I write zombie stories for plain people. I was called "the people's author" one time by a fan. I was also called pedestrian. I wear both with pride.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

Its the honor system but based on rankings it is really very obvious.  There is one person who claimed they sold more than 1,000 and they had 3 books all in the 100,000+ rankings so I didn't post that particular person.  But other than that all the other people are VERY clearly selling the levels they report based on where they are on the rankings.

Thanks for the info RS.  It did cross my mind but then I thought who will bother to check ranking for each book.  I also thought it will be hard to calculate from ranking, the precise number of books sold.

I wonder, what will be approximate ranking for the book that sells 1000 or more a month.

[Victorine]

Thanks for the info RS.  It did cross my mind but then I thought who will bother to check ranking for each book.  I also thought it will be hard to calculate from ranking, the precise number of books sold.

I wonder, what will be approximate ranking for the book that sells 1000 or more a month.

That changes... the number actually gets higher each month as more Kindles are sold and more books are bought.  But when I first broke 1,000 in a month I was around #550 in rank that whole month.  I wouldn't be too surprised if that number is now in the 700 or 800's.

Vicki

[harpwriter]

After months of being amazed at those selling 1,000 a month, it has just dawned on me that I'm target to sell almost half that this month, with just my one book out!  This gives me great hope for when the whole trilogy is finally finished, and I get to my other novels and my two non-fictions.

[Eric C]

That changes... the number actually gets higher each month as more Kindles are sold and more books are bought.  But when I first broke 1,000 in a month I was around #550 in rank that whole month.  I wouldn't be too surprised if that number is now in the 700 or 800's.

I've sold a bit over a thousand of one of my novels in 13 days this month and during the month the book has averaged about 850 to 900 in the rankings, I'd estimate, ranging from the 500s to about 1,200. So I'm guesstimating that now you could sell 1,000 books in a month at a ranking of about 1,200 or even a bit higher.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

I've sold a bit over a thousand of one of my novels in 13 days this month and during the month the book has averaged about 850 to 900 in the rankings, I'd estimate, ranging from the 500s to about 1,200. So I'm guesstimating that now you could sell 1,000 books in a month at a ranking of about 1,200 or even a bit higher.

Mine are way above 10,000.  All nonfiction selling between $3.99 to $4.99.  I guess it doesn't matter for fiction/nonfiction.  I assume this is a ranking for all the books being sold.

Wish all the best.

[rsullivan9597]

Nathan,
I haven't been watching your sales but just checked....

Quarter Share: 1060
Half Share: 1090

So yep it's official you over 1,000 for both books.

BTW...I'm thinking of changing your release cycle from every 6 months to every 4 months.  What do you think?

[Victorine]

I've sold a bit over a thousand of one of my novels in 13 days this month and during the month the book has averaged about 850 to 900 in the rankings, I'd estimate, ranging from the 500s to about 1,200. So I'm guesstimating that now you could sell 1,000 books in a month at a ranking of about 1,200 or even a bit higher.

Wow!!  Kindle sales are exploding!!  That's so fantastic. 

Vicki

[Eric C]

Mine are way above 10,000.  All nonfiction selling between $3.99 to $4.99.  I guess it doesn't matter for fiction/nonfiction.  I assume this is a ranking for all the books being sold.

Not sure I follow you. I was discussing one of my books only.

[Eric C]

Wow!!  Kindle sales are exploding!!  That's so fantastic. 

Yes. A rising tide lifts all boats!

[Sharlow]

Hi everyone,

Congratulations... Wonderful to hear of your how well each of you have been doing.  I am still starting out. Feb. will be my 3rd complete month, but I've already doubled the sales from January. Still nothing like your numbers. I do appreciate those of you who've shared their specifics as to how their numbers have grown from month to month.  I know some folks start out with a bang, but it is nice to know that there is a great deal of hope for those whose sales are merely growing and improving from month to month.   I have 1 novel and 1 nonfiction (which is mostly a seasonal) so I guess most of my stats are based on having 1 book.  The non-fiction only came out the end of January. I love reading each of your posts they are very motivating.  Thanks for sharing.  I hope one day to come back and be able to inspire others.

Tammie

Hello Tammie, and welcome to Kindleboards, just in case I never said hi before. Your right, some people do start off with a bang, but I think the average person has more of a snowball effect. A slow, but ever increasing build up. The more you and your book are seen, the faster that build up is. So don't worry, if you wrote a great book, you'll get there. Just don't get discouraged and never give up.

[Nathan Lowell]

Nathan,
I haven't been watching your sales but just checked....

Quarter Share: 1060
Half Share: 1090

So yep it's official you over 1,000 for both books.

BTW...I'm thinking of changing your release cycle from every 6 months to every 4 months.  What do you think?

Woohoo!

And *THANK YOU* for all Ridan has done to help with this.

Absolutely worth a shot. You have email ...

[Saffina Desforges]

Well, I NEVER thought I would be adding my name to this list and certainly not only after 2 full months of the book being live and promoting it etc, but I have just sold my 1000th book since Feb 1st 2011!  Still quite shocked actually!

And to give you guys in The States some idea on UK rankings, I am currently placed #44 in the Kindle Paid Store and #11 in Thrillers. Just going  off to recover! 

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

Not sure I follow you. I was discussing one of my books only.

Eric, I was just giving my sale rankings. In fact, I found your message useful in terms of guessing sales. Thanks and I wish you the very best.

[CJArcher]

Well, I NEVER thought I would be adding my name to this list and certainly not only after 2 full months of the book being live and promoting it etc, but I have just sold my 1000th book since Feb 1st 2011!  Still quite shocked actually!

And to give you guys in The States some idea on UK rankings, I am currently placed #44 in the Kindle Paid Store and #11 in Thrillers. Just going  off to recover! 

Wow, Saffina, that's brilliant!  Good luck with reaching the 2,000 mark by the end of the month.  You'll probably do it easily based on those figures.

[Tammie Clarke Gibbs]

Hello Tammie, and welcome to Kindleboards, just in case I never said hi before. Your right, some people do start off with a bang, but I think the average person has more of a snowball effect. A slow, but ever increasing build up. The more you and your book are seen, the faster that build up is. So don't worry, if you wrote a great book, you'll get there. Just don't get discouraged and never give up.

Thanks!! I take all words of encouragement to heart...

[Tammie Clarke Gibbs]

Well, I NEVER thought I would be adding my name to this list and certainly not only after 2 full months of the book being live and promoting it etc, but I have just sold my 1000th book since Feb 1st 2011!  Still quite shocked actually!

And to give you guys in The States some idea on UK rankings, I am currently placed #44 in the Kindle Paid Store and #11 in Thrillers. Just going  off to recover! 

Congratulations!!! That is AWESOME!!! Seems like WE are bumping into one another all over the place lately...

[Saffina Desforges]

Thanks guys! Indies rule! 

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

Well, I NEVER thought I would be adding my name to this list and certainly not only after 2 full months of the book being live and promoting it etc, but I have just sold my 1000th book since Feb 1st 2011!  Still quite shocked actually!

Saffina, that is impressive, especially to reach 1000 mark in less than half a month.  All this within 2 months of release.  You are marketing genius for me. Thanks for sharing and good luck!

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

I am trying to understand the high sale marketing.  I see two factors common in high-selling books:  99 cents and fiction.  Any other factors, in addition to quality of book which is hard to define. Wish you all the very best.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

I'm selling over 1,000 books a month.
I blogged about my marketing if you want to check it out.  It was my last post, so it's not hard to find.    There's a link in my sig.
Vicki

Congratulations Vicki for your out standing sales record. Very impressive. It did make me pay attention to your marketing skills. I did read your blog a while back when you first posted.

I did observe that you are selling at Amazon UK [not USA]. I am just curious if you find time to answer. Is there any reason to sell on Amazon UK? More curious than that is you must be spending more time on Amazon UK kindle boards than Amazon USA KB. Is that true? I just joined UK kindle boards yesterday. I am still learning to use them for various discussion topic.

I look forward to your comments. Thanks.

[alan nayes]

Thanks guys! Indies rule! 

That's fantastic--i'm inspired--again. Bet you have agents contacting YOU now!

[Victorine]

Congratulations Vicki for your out standing sales record. Very impressive. It did make me pay attention to your marketing skills. I did read your blog a while back when you first posted.

I did observe that you are selling at Amazon UK [not USA]. I am just curious if you find time to answer. Is there any reason to sell on Amazon UK? More curious than that is you must be spending more time on Amazon UK kindle boards than Amazon USA KB. Is that true? I just joined UK kindle boards yesterday. I am still learning to use them for various discussion topic.

I look forward to your comments. Thanks.

Actually, most of my sales come from Amazon US.  There was a brief time in December when my book shot way up the ranks over on the UK boards.  The highest I got was #9 I believe.  For that brief time my UK sales were better than my US sales, but that didn't last too long.

Sales fluctuate, of course, but average for me right now is US: 150 a day, UK: 15, B&N: 75.  That will change by next week I'm sure. 

Vicki

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

Actually, most of my sales come from Amazon US.  There was a brief time in December when my book shot way up the ranks over on the UK boards.  The highest I got was #9 I believe.  For that brief time my UK sales were better than my US sales, but that didn't last too long.
Sales fluctuate, of course, but average for me right now is US: 150 a day, UK: 15, B&N: 75.  That will change by next week I'm sure. 
Vicki

I do appreciate your quick response. The reason I asked was that I didn't see link to Amazon USA in your signature. So I assume you must be spending time on both Amazon USA and Amazon UK. Thanks.

[Victorine]

I do appreciate your quick response. The reason I asked was that I didn't see link to Amazon USA in your signature. So I assume you must be spending time on both Amazon USA and Amazon UK. Thanks.

Clicking on the cover of the book will get you to Amazon US.   

I actually don't spend any time in the UK forums, I haven't bought anything over there so it won't let me post. 

Vicki