Author Jefferson Galt chose a tactic better known in the marketing of soap powder and other consumer products: give away a sample and believe that customers will come back for more.
But instead of just giving away a an extract from a book as a sample, Galt gave away full copies of the e-book version of his novel "The Kiss," as the ultimate Valentine's Day present - a story of enduring and selfless love and of undying hope.
The offer expires at midnight on 14th February 2012, US Pacific Time - that's 08:00 GMT on 15th February. And so, with the last minute Valentine's Daters out and about, on the US West Coast, there is still room for more downloads.
Even so, says Galt, "The downloads have exceeded targets. We expected to see small numbers go off the servers at Amazon.Com where the Kindle version is hosted. But, instead, we have been delighted to see that more than 400 copies have gone - before the potential peak time as gifts are given in bars, restaurants and sitting quietly at home having a romantic interlude in a large part of the USA and Canada."
The success of the free offer has led Galt and his marketing team to decide to keep the price of "The Kiss" at a nominal charge. "We decided that the primary aim is to get the book out and seen," he said at his home in France. "And so, when the book reverts to paid-for status in a few hours, it will cost just 99 US cents. "
"Of course, we hope that readers will talk about the book - and buy the second and third books in the trilogy, " Galt added.
"The Kiss" is the first book in the "Pete, Fay, Love" trilogy and tells the story of Pete and Fay whose love endures for half-a-century even though circumstances conspired to keep them apart. Galt says "The Kiss has a complex ending - it is both a story of heroic love and gives a Hollywood ending. Readers get to feel that complexity but to favour the emotions they prefer. "
"The Kiss" is also available in paperback.
There is no need to own a Kindle: Amazon.Com provide free apps for iPhone, Android phones and tablets, iPad, Windows PCs, Mac PCs and Blackberry. All trademarks acknowledged.
Links via http://www.jeffersongalt.com
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Jefferson Galt is an author.
His published books include
Paperback
- The Kiss
- Pete, Fay, Love (The Kiss and The Letters That We Wrote in one volume)
- The Things That I Can't Say.
ebook
The Kiss
The Letters That We Wrote
The Things That I Can't Say
