So, I'm about two months away from releasing my next book , and I'm sorting through my distribution/marketing options. I'm obliged to offer signed paperbacks because people have already claimed a spot on the preorder list even though I haven't actually started a list yet. So while thinking about preorder lists and talking with a friend about ordering incentives, I had an idea...

With Red Rain, I opened up preorders as soon as I knew how much the book would cost. This was mostly out of necessity - I wasn't ordering many extra hard copies, so if you wanted a signed one I had to know ahead of time. There was no incentive for preordering; the price was the same. This go-round, however, I will probably be keeping more books in stock for other purposes. So preordering isn't a necessity but rather a courtesy, almost as a way to raise some of the printing funds beforehand. So I was wondering... perhaps it would be a good idea to offer some kind of incentive for preordering, to encourage early sales?

So the question is two-fold... Is an incentive a good idea, and if so, what?

Offering a discount and/or free shipping is the obvious option, although I won't know how feasible that is until I can calculate the cost of the book. A free ebook would make sense but doesn't seem very special to me. I will be selling an audiobook album later, so that's a possibility. Of course, collaborating with someone else to offer a discount on their product (and them offering a discount on mine) would be awesome, if anyone was game.

Ideas?

Okay, Aubrey, I'm here. (For those wondering, she pulled me in from Twitter.)

Honestly, to me, just having a signed copy of the book makes it extra special to begin with. If I'm preordering a book, it's because I really enjoy the author's work and I want to make my order more personal than just buying from Amazon.

But incentives, even though I can't think of any, are cool...

See why I love Twitter?

Thanks so much, Jordan! Yea, I knoweth that most of my preorders are loyal fans, and it really means a lot to me that y'all are willing to preorder just because you love my writing. However, I am wondering if offering an incentive might not only be a "thank-you" to people who are going to preorder anyway, but also encourage other people to preorder. People who might be on the fence about my book, or people who normally wouldn't go for a signed copy. Maybe offering a discount or incentive of some kind would encourage more of the general populace to order ahead of time. Not only does that give me more funds upfront for printing costs, but depending on my price points, I often make a little bit more on signed copies. (Donno if that'll hold true for Peter's Angel, though.)

It seems like signing all pre-orders would be incentive enough, but I could be biased.

However... Once I pre-ordered a CD that was signed because bands usually only sign CDs at concerts, so it was the only way to get a signed copy of the CD without going to a concert. In your case, you will still be offering signed copies later, so it does make sense that you would want to offer something else with a pre-order. I've also seen some movies that offered a price reduction for pre-orders.

Of course you're not biased! No one on Holy Worlds is biased towards my writing. Not one bit. *shakes head*

With Red Rain, preordering was the only way to guarantee a signed copy. With Peter's Angel I think they'll be more regularly available, even though I won't keep them in stock continually. So I think I'll probably do a discount... I need to figure out my printing cost, though.

Tell them that if they don't pre-order there is this crazy guy named Reiyen who will hit them with something very hard, very hard.
Is that incentive enough?
Any bonus you give to pre-orders should probably be pretty much exclusive, because otherwise they will just get it afterwards if they feel like it then... and you'll lose a lot of "impulse" buyers who think they are getting an uber special deal.
So if signing won't be exclusive, then you could make those who pre-order get something unique. I like the free audio-book idea, because anyone who gets the audiobook free will be telling all their friends, "Oh, it is on audiobook, too." Then you get a bunch of second-generation fans buying the audiobook. Sounds like a win-win right there.
Just my guesswork.

Aubrey,

I just had a thought. What if you had a discounted price on the pre-orders and then offered signed copies at a slightly higher price after the book is available? Just a thought, take it or leave it.

I still think a simple discount might be enough... who won't jump at a chance to get a super awesome book for less money?

I second this idea. I'd be willing to offer my services in the hitting-people-with-something-hard scheme of things as well.

On a serious note though, I agree with the general consensus that a signed copy is well worth pre-ordering for, and also that it shouldn't be something too freely available after the pre-ordering time period as well, else it takes away from the "specialness" of the pre-ordering "incentive".

On another thought, I was wondering if it would be possible to make the "Red Rain" audiobook available on CD and use that as an incentive? Because I haven't listened to the audiobook yet solely because it takes up too much internet to download. (surprise, surprise coming from me) Anyhow, that's idea one.

Idea two is T-shirts!!! Who doesn't like a free T-shirt? I'd pre-order a book for a matching T-shirt that came with it too! Anyhow; could be a lame idea, but that's just me.

I'm sure I'll be back with more ideas if you haven't barred the door on me.

Reiyen! You make my day. You're the best crazy reader an author could ask for.

I get what you all are saying about making the offer "special," so that it has more mystique and incentive. Faith, that is a really great idea about signed copies. I'm pondering whether or not I will offer them regularly afterwards... If I have the books in stock, it's easy enough, but it is hassle. Maybe I'll do signed copies only for preorders (and special occasions like giveaways thereafter).

Good idea about audiobooks, Reiyen. The audiobook won't be available for awhile after the book's release, but it will be coming, so that might work. Also a good idea about a CD for Red Rain, Aussie. I shall consider that, even if I just put it up as a normal item.

*hugs Gracie* You're so nice.

I shall never lock Aussie out of any thread of mine, unless I am brainstorming a surprise for her! Thank you so much for stopping by!