Show me the (2011) numbers!

I've seen quite a few self-published author's do posts on their sales numbers and I'm always very interested in reading them.  I always think "Maybe I should do one of those" and then chicken out.  I've just always felt weird putting my numbers out there.  But then I think how helpful I find it, reading those other author's numbers and so I am finally going to do it.

Here are my numbers for 2011.  Keep in mind that these are JUST for Amazon Kindle.  Barnes and Noble's sales reporting is kind of a headache so I'm not including them (and I don't sell a ton on B&N).  And these numbers are the US and UK (though the vast majority of them are from the US).

Branded (been out for almost 2 years now): 23,579

Forsaken (been out for 1 year): 12,729

Vindicated (been out for 55 days): 3,619

Afterlife (been out for 55 days): 1,594

Eden: (been out for 7 months): 5,249

2011 Kindle Grand Total: 46,770

I think my Nook sales were roughly around 5,000, which pushes me over 51,000 digital copies of my books for 2011.

Here's a chart to give you a little idea of what sales did this year (again, just from Kindles):


So as you can see, this was quite a crazy year.  Going from selling almost nothing at the beginning of the year, to about 11,000 in July.  And then a huge, fast fall through the fall.  Thankfully December went well and even though I didn't sell as many books as I did in the summer months, I did make more money because I am charging more for my books.

It's been an interesting experiment to play with pricing.  It always seemed that charging $0.99 was the way to go, and most of the time it is.  But Eden wasn't doing that well priced there, so I decided to raise the price, just to see what would happen.  It actually started selling better.  And honestly I don't know that I would have gotten this whole movie deal if it had stayed priced at $0.99...  The probably wouldn't have looked at it if it had.

So all in all, this has been a FANTASTIC year for me.  I am so grateful for everything that has happened.  I never would have imagined I could make it this well on my own.  I made more than a full-time living doing my absolute dream job.  I just hope 2012 will be just as wonderful.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome Keary! I'm surprised Eden hasn't sold more! Maybe with the movie buzz it will sky rocket! :)

Nicole said...

It's funny with pricing isn't it? I'm keeping my first book cheap (or free on my blog for those that look for it ;p) and the second one at a reasonable price. My theory (current theory that is!) being that if the reader doesn't really enjoy book one, they haven't lost too much in the process :)
Good luck for this year, Keary :)

Live, Love, Laugh, Write! said...

That is so exciting! Your definitely inspiring to aspiring writers such as myself :)

Nikki Jefford said...

I appreciate that you didn't chicken out, Keary. Kudos to you for sharing your sales record (and even making a nice graph). I'm fascinated by what kinds of numbers an indie author can do, but you're the first I've seen to put it out there.

Congratulations and thanks for giving me hope.

Amber said...

I purchased one of each via Kindle and one in the store. :)
AWESOME AWESOME READS FOR ALL OF THEM.
Trying to get the word out. :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Keary
I've read your branded series and when I saw your comments about pricing I decided to comment.

I have been a marketing executive for several years ans want to give some advice. There is a price quality relationship in everything we buy. You recognize with your own purchases and what you are willing to spend.

I'm new with Kindle but have read about 45 ebooks thus far and when I see an ebook for 1.99 it is associated with a feeling of "hmm". Maybe the author doesn't believe in his work?

Whereas when I see 7.99 to 9.99 I think "oh it's a good book possibly" and will more likely give it a try. What I want to say is price your books with the rest of the pack. Don't be a price leader but also don't be a price trailer either.

I would have paid much higher prices for your books

Anonymous said...

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