e-Business-Formula Internet Marketing Discussion Forum

[bookhitch]

We just launched a website entitled bookhitch.com, where you can list an unlimited amount of books for free (and yes, we do have e-books listed). This may help some of you increase awareness of your books. You get a basic description of the book (title, 60 word description, 5-key search words etc). Next to the book you put a link, or contact information so that readers know where they can buy the book. bookhitch.com will help raise awareness of your book, whilst giving readers an opportunity to find books they cannot find in traditional bookstores.

I hope this helps some of you! Visit http://www.bookhitch.com.

[CarrieGee]

This is interesting - I'd be curious to know how successful something like this would be. Is there any kind of quality assurance going on here? Or can anyone who has written enough prose to fill a self-published book or eBook list their wares?

I also noticed in the FAQ that you don't take a commission on sales, so your main source of income would be the upgraded packages, is that right? If that's the case, do you leave the advertising and marketing up to each author to generate their own sales?

[Chris (cat)]

Hi Bh,

Usually we dont allow links in first posts.... But as u do have a very useful and relevant site, I will let this one go.

Looks like a good site and concept, remember to drop back and tell us how it's all going.


Cheers, Chris.

[bookhitch]

Hi CarrieGee,

Thank you for your interest in bookhitch! The purpose of our site is to give anyone a place to raise awareness of their book. We do check the site to assure that nothing vulgar etc is put on there, and we also have a reporting system when individuals can report a book for any type of reason (but i don't think a reporting on the quality of writing would be one of them!). Our website basically gives everyone an equal opportunity to place their book online. As many within the book industry know, it is very hard to become a best-seller..and there are hundreds of thousands of individuals out there with..lets say...stephen king grade writing, who just don't get the opportunities others do.

We don't take a commission on sales, correct. So yes, upgraded packages, and advertising. We do not market each book individually, but by marketing the actual site, we will drive readers and other interested parties to the site, thus helping anyone who has a book on there. If an author put a book on the site, and provides a link that directs buyers to his/her own website then it helps them a little bit more (cutting out the amount of people handling the book and therefore the profits also).

I hope I have answered your queries adequately and that I can answer more if you have any.

Chris, Thank you for allowing me to post in this spot. It is much appreciated!

[CarrieGee]

Thanks for coming back to answer questions bookhitch - it's very much appreciated.

I think this would be a very good idea for someone with a self-pubbed book, but who lacks the platform to sell many copies on their own. It is indeed difficult to become a best-seller, but let's face it - the number of self-pubbed books that have made it onto the best-seller lists is miniscule. While I strongly believe that traditional publishing is the way to go, even for beginners, this does seem to be a viable outlet for those who go the POD or eBook route.

Anyway, this discussion isn't about self- vs. traditional publishing! Sorry to go off on a tangent there.

I do have one more question, if you don't mind. Are you affiliated with any publisher in particular, vanity/POD or otherwise?

[bookhitch]

Hello again,

No problem replying, thats what discussion forums are all about! bookhitch.com is an independent company. We do, however, ask for publishers, vanity/POD and otherwise to help support us, aswell as authors (and as we do for authors). Especially as our basic service is free and we are a start-up (and anyone in business knows how that goes!). Whether an author is published or unpublished a basic freebie site to put there book, I feel, is a good opportunity. Good questions and I like tangents! :D

[CarrieGee]

I do understand the pressure and challenges you're facing as a start-up! I think most of us will.

Sorry if this sounds like badgering, but when you say "We do, however, ask for publishers, vanity/POD and otherwise to help support us", how do you mean? By spreading the word, or financially? This is purely out of curiosity, because I do often wonder just how much 'support' a vanity/POD publisher is willing to provide, not only to it's authors, but to services such as yours.

Thanks again bookhitch!

[bookhitch]

Basically by spreading the word, or advertising on the site, or posting their books on the site. We have a lot of authors and publishers registered already, and the numbers are increasing daily. I am constantly contacting authors, publishers, writers organizations etc in an effort to raise awareness of this site, many of them help us by putting blurbs in newsletters, adding books etc. Its hard to break through into that close knit channel, but word-of-mouth helps a lot (as im sure you know).

May I ask which website you are affiliated with? I saw on your information (as I just added mine) that you run a niche website...I consider bookhitch a good niche website too! What do you do in the realm of marketing?

[CarrieGee]

Thanks once again for being so open and answering my questions bookhitch - you lend a great deal of credibility to your company with this information!

I own a website devoted to reality TV - it's at www.realityshack.com (I hope it's okay to post that here!). While I'm only currently marketing the site and what it has to offer, come September I'll be working on two book-related projects that will entail a good deal more marketing and sales.

[jimmys devoted]

I just finished uploading another ebook at lulu. I posted free offerings ot drive some traffic and some discunted books. But this one seems like it woudl be really targeted ot a higher level of reader.

[jimmys devoted]

Originally the offer was for two weeks, in hopes that soemone would actually buy a copy of the other books. iT failed. I had 20 free downloads but no other purchases. So i dropped the offer down to 48 hours. from 172 looks, i got 22 downloads.
that was off of one site.
i have to consider using lulus marketing tools.. as they are more targeted to a broader spectrum.

[jimmys devoted]

WOW what a site. It looks alot better than book locker ever did. andthey are big.
I took you up on teh offer for free. cash strapped now, and I am listing ALL of the books. I am wondering does your seacrh spider also work with google books?

[bookhitch]

Thank you for your wonderful comments! I am glad that you are utilizing the site. With all of the increased interest over the community book project, it will be beneficial.

We actually do not have search spiders that take content from other sites. We felt that individuals, or companies should have control over what appears on bookhitch (especially with recent controversy over content control). So, all of the books on bookhitch and the information provided for each book is from users wishing for it to be shown.

I hope that answers your question.

[jimmys devoted]

Now taht I have a variety of publications, this week beginssome hard core marketing. I do beleive your site will generate a lot of interest!

[Juice]

Wow - fantastic looking website you've got there. This topic is 6 months old but it looks like you're still going strong.

I'll list my one book later tonight.