Does Series Work better or Stand alone for book sale?

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

I had been wondering about this decision.  I am starting to list my books as part of series. My books are nonfiction.  I use: "The Self-help Series" and "The Spirituality Series."

I still have many books stand-alone.  I am not sure if series is a good move or leave the way it is. 

If anyone have any suggestion, I will seriously look at it.

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

Looks like no one is publishing series or no one bothered to answer.

I was interested to know because I am putting my books under "self-help and spiritual series." I don't know if it is a good idea or not? Any opinion will be appreciated.

[DeclanStanley]

I usually associate series with fiction rather than non-fiction. Where you have the same characters either having different "adventures" such as a detective series or the same characters having a long epic adventure told over several books. Also in SF/Fantasy I've seen series where the same alternate world was used but different books had characters/stories.
I suppose in non-fiction if there was a progression, such as the first book was for beginners, the second for intermediated students etc. then listing them as a series would seem logical. as people would but the next book as they mastered the techniques in the first.
Either way a good place to advertise your books is in you own books with an "Also by" section listing your other books and perhaps even a sample chapter of the next book at the end of the first.

 

[nancyholzner]

Traditional publishers certainly see value in branding nonfiction books by series. Think of Wiley's "For Dummies" series, O'Reilly's "Missing Manual" series, Adams Media's "Everything Book" series. Readers seek out those series because they know the level (beginner to intermediate) and style (humorous) will be consistent from one book to the next. All of those publishers also give the titles similar-looking covers so readers can recognize series titles at a glance.

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

Traditional publishers certainly see value in branding nonfiction books by series. Think of Wiley's "For Dummies" series, O'Reilly's "Missing Manual" series, Adams Media's "Everything Book" series. Readers seek out those series because they know the level (beginner to intermediate) and style (humorous) will be consistent from one book to the next. All of those publishers also give the titles similar-looking covers so readers can recognize series titles at a glance.

Thanks Nancy, especially for being specific to nonfiction. I will leave these as series, and see. I just wanted to make sure that series is not just for fiction as many of us think.
That's all I wanted. Wish you all the best.

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

Thanks Declan for your response. Please take care.