Switch up your subject lines to improve your email open rates!
By: Ginger | Posted on April 28, 2023
Most self-published authors know the value of building a mailing list of fans that you can use for a variety of purposes, from finding reviewers to selling copies of your latest book. But in order to get those benefits, you first have to convince your subscribers to open the emails, which is not as easy as it sounds. Many consider just 20% to be a “good” open rate, and even that can be a struggle for some. There are a variety of factors that play into your open rate, but one of the most important is whether or not you’ve crafted a compelling subject line. Whether your subscribers click or not is often determined solely by that one line, which means it needs to be tough to ignore. As Ginger explains below, there are a variety of ways you can do this – from including one of the 15 most… Read More >
5 Romance Novels to Spring into May
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 25, 2023
If you’re a regular on the Hidden Gems blog, you’ll know that romance is the most popular genre in the Hidden Gems ARC program. Our readers know that no two love stories are the same, so they scoop up new books every chance they get. If you’re looking for a new read to enjoy the spring weather with, there’s something for every romance reader on this list! The SEAL’s Pregnant Roommate by Leslie North With 175+ ratings and a 4.6 star average, The SEAL’s Pregnant Roommate is book four of the six book Hartsville’s SEAL Heroes series by Leslie North. In this installment, Harley and Garrett are thrown together in the wake of heartbreak and loss; will they be able to heal their losses together? Marsha raves in her five star Amazon review, “…If you’ve read the earlier three stories, which came out a few years ago, then you’ll easily… Read More >
What’s the difference between Affiliate Links and Attribution Tags?
By: Ginger | Posted on April 21, 2023
Before there were Attribute Tags, many authors used Affiliate Links to try and track their Amazon book sales, but there are a variety of drawbacks in doing so. Affiliate Links weren’t designed for this purpose, and are very limited in terms of where they can even be used. Today, Ginger delves into what Affiliate Links are, what they track, how and when to use them, and most importantly, how they differ from Attribution Tags. Both of these tracking tools have their purpose, but understanding the nuances of each can help you effectively monitor your book sales, optimize your marketing strategies, and keep you out of trouble. With so much discussion recently around Attribution Tags, it’s no wonder we’ve recently been getting questions about how they differ from Affiliate Links. If you’re not already familiar with them, Affiliate Links are a tool that authors used to use (and some still do)… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Brighton Walsh
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 18, 2023
Today’s interview is with Award-winning USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brighton Walsh. Brighton is a seasoned contemporary romance author and she shared with us details about her writing style, upcoming projects and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? BW: I’m a sucker for a hero who’s all in, so that’s who I tend to write about. Strong willed heroines and the heroes who are completely gone for them. All the better if the heroes fall first and then have to work hard to win the heroines over. I love a swoony book boyfriend. HG: So good. You recently released Fearless Heart, and it’s available in Kindle Unlimited. Tell us a bit about this story and what readers can expect. BW: This is the third book in the Starlight Cove series, but all the books… Read More >
Five great thrillers for your next getaway
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 11, 2023
Spring is in full swing, and if you’re looking for reads to bring with you on your next getaway, we have tales that will thrill you and keep you turning the pages. According to Wikipedia, thriller is a genre of fiction with numerous, often overlapping, subgenres, including crime, horror and detective fiction. Thrillers are characterized and defined by the moods they elicit, giving their audiences heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety. Today, we’re focusing on five great thrillers that our readers loved, and hope you will, too. Interpreting Guilt by Peter Kirkland With 1000 ratings and a 4.5 star average, clearly loved by many readers, Interpreting Guilt is the third book in the Small Town Lawyer series by Peter Kirkland. The series follows defense attorney Leland Munroe as he defends multiple clients in this thrilling legal series. Anne M. writes in her five star Amazon review, “I… Read More >
Measuring read-through with Attribution Tags
By: Ginger | Posted on April 7, 2023
As an author, it’s crucial to understand how many of your readers are purchasing multiple books from your catalog, especially if you have a series. This metric, known as the read-through rate, can provide valuable insights into your writing, marketing, and overall profitability. However, determining your read-through rate has never been an easy task. This is where Amazon’s Attribution Tags can come to the rescue! As Ginger explains below, by creating a tag that links multiple books together, you can track how many readers are continuing on to your other books after purchasing the advertised one. Armed with this information, you’ll be able to identify weak points in your catalog, improve reader engagement, and increase your return on investment. You may even discover that ads you thought were unprofitable were actually in the black because they were secretly driving sales of other books in your catalog. I’ve written plenty of… Read More >
Great Cookbooks to Explore this Spring
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 4, 2023
Does Spring have you inspired to try your hand at some new culinary delights? Have you been wanting to make smarter choices for your health? Check out these great cookbooks, loved by Hidden Gems ARC readers, and don’t stress about what’s for dinner tonight – or any time this Spring! Fall In Love With Mediterranean Cuisine by Bernetta Parris With almost 100 ratings and a 4.8 star average, Fall In Love With Mediterranean Cuisine is a must read! “…The recipes come with beautiful color pictures and easy to follow instructions,” MistressViolet writes in her five star Amazon review. “One thing I was particularly happy to see was nutrition information, so that you immediately know the calories per serving. Recipes also come with helpful tips as well as notes at the end of the recipe that alert readers to the pressure points, if a recipe happens to have them, helping… Read More >
