Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Re Facebook: You Learn Something New Every Day

       Some of you know that I just created a "page" on Facebook (I already had a personal page.)  It's here if you want to go "like" me. 
       
      Creating the page was a bit like navigating a maze, and I've been wondering just why having  this page is supposed to do me so much good in marketing my books. I didn't really understand about the ads business in the right-hand column.   I had always thought there was a charge for advertising on Facebook, but then I thought, well, maybe when you take a page, you get some ads free. So I went through the process of setting up an ad.  After filling in all the little boxes, you get to the bottom.  Yep!  Every time somebody clicks on your ad, you get charged $1.10 or some such figure.  Nowhere in all the earlier instructions did they mention that!  I got out of there as fast as I could!  I don't want to pay for something that gives no assurance anybody will buy the book just because they click on the ad.  Maybe that's shortsighted -- maybe if I had Facebook ads, I'd sell a thousand copies of my books this month -- but I think the way they go about getting their ads is deceptive, so that's not for me, at least not yet.  They should tell you upfront, here is what we'll charge you if you advertise with us.
 
       What do some of the rest of you other self-publishers do?  If you have a Facebook page, do you pay for ads?  Do you get any benefit from them?

6 comments:

  1. I’m so glad I’m not the only one that thinks this is insane for me to pay for random clicks on facebook ads that don’t guarantee at least a few sales. I sure see who‘ll makes all the money on those ads and I won‘t be me. Lol. I’ve been working hard long and hard to market my book after having read books from all the experts on eBook marketing. Not one thing has worked. Frankly the only one I see making any money or selling any books are the author’s that are telling us what to do! LOL Hang in there and know you’re so not alone. If I find lightning in a bottle . . . I’ll happily pass it on. :o)

    Sarah

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Sarah. Happy to learn that I'm not the only person who feels Facebook ads might not be the best use of one's money!

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  2. Some people describe a 'Yorkshireman' as being a Scotsman stripped of his generosity.Whilst this may be true of some, it is not of me, however I wouldn't throw a penny in Mr Zuckerberg's direction!

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    1. Glad I didn't succumb! Thanks for commenting, Anthony! I chuckled at the Yorkshireman remark!

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  3. Your post was very timely as I'm tweaking up my facebook page as well (but apparently my page can't "like" your page--still figuring out how this works).

    Most folks I know who have tried facebook ads have not gotten any response--some clicks, but not sales.

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    1. I found your page and "liked" it and I left a comment there. My page is http://www.facebook.com/#!/Termitewriter
      Yes, I'm not going to waste money on Facebook ads.
      Thanks for visiting!

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