X Get the Book About the Book For Media Connect with Me Recent Entries Archives
Where realism and idealism meet Tony Brasunas, author of Double Happiness

Aiming at Amazon

Do you want to know something strange about Amazon.com?

Yes, I did too, since most of my book sales are happening there.

The biggest driver of sales at Amazon isn’t in fact advertising or rankings. It might come as a surprise to you, even if you shop frequently at the online megastore, but the truth is that the biggest driver of sales at Amazon is: Customer Reviews.

I won’t get into what I’ve learned about the powerful ways in which herd mentality still dictates a lot of what we humans deem to be “appropriate,” see as “exciting,” and judge to be “safe.” Suffice it to say, Amazon’s underlying product-display algorithms utilize Customer Reviews, both the quantity and the quality of the reviews. Thus Customer Reviews dictate how often people discover Double Happiness.

I have eleven reviews right now, all good, and I’m very grateful for them. I would love to increase the reviews.

Can you help more people discover Double Happiness? If you’ve finished the book, or read far enough to feel comfortable writing a review, please write a review! It will be extremely helpful.

How to Write an Amazon Review

If you have already written Amazon reviews, go here, godspeed, and my gratitude: www.DoubleHappy.be/review

If you haven’t written an Amazon review before, I’m happy to help you learn this new skill. Think of it like voting; you can write reviews every day of the year and materially affect the success or failure of books, ideas, and products. Here are two ways to write your first review:

Method A: You Like to Write and Type

1. Go here: www.DoubleHappy.be/review

2. If you see a log-in screen, log in with your Amazon account. (If you don’t have an Amazon account, create one. It’s easy and free).

3. You should see the ‘Review Your Purchases’ page. You don’t have to have bought Double Happiness at Amazon to write a review, but it does give your review slightly more weight if you have.

4. Click the number of stars you would like to rate Double Happiness.

5. In the text box write 3-4 sentences, like a short email. Or write more if you feel like it. Pick one or two of these questions to guide you:

  • What did you think of the story?
  • Was it exciting? Thought-provoking? Adventurous? Romantic? Inspirational?
  • Did it provoke emotions?
  • Did you care about the main character?
  • Did you like the writing style?
  • Would you recommend it to a friend?

6. That’s it! Press publish.

7. Accept my gratitude and know you’ve helped more people find Double Happiness. I’ll also dedicate a facebook post or tweet to you!

Method B: You Like to Talk and Listen

1. Let’s chat. You’ll dictate, and I’ll type out your words for you!

2. Choose your favorite method of communication and contact me:

3. We’ll say hello.

4. I’ll ask you 2-5 questions, depending on how much time you have.

5. I have a thick skin and can take the bad with the good. Don’t worry about it. Tell me the truth.

6. I’ll take down your answers and then email you your responses and instructions to log in to amazon.

7. You can edit what I’ve written and sent to you, to put the review in your voice of course.

8. That’s it! Press publish.

9. Accept my gratitude and know you’ve helped more people find Double Happiness. I’ll also dedicate a facebook post or tweet to you!

Voila! So grateful for your help.

In Other News: The Fabulous Book Tour

In other news, the book tour has been a whirlwind of inspiration and connection, a sweet ride of unexpected highs and lows. In my next post, I’ll tell you all about what it’s really like to be on a book tour.

Best wishes, and may your journey always be fruitful,
Tony

Share:
Be the first to comment >
Posted in Book Tour | Double Happiness | Independent Publishing
by Tony Brasunas on May 11, 2014

California Bookstore Day

California Bookstore Day is this Saturday, and I’ll be celebrating the day by reading at two literary institutions in Southern California. On May 3 itself, I’ll be participating in the celebration at the wonderful Granada Books in Santa Barbara. I hope you’ll join me this weekend! More on the holiday:

California Bookstore Day is a statewide party on May 3, 2014 as big and varied as the state itself. It’s more than 90 stores in more than 80 zip codes putting their bells on and throwing out the welcome mat. Think Record Store Day, but for book nerds.

Each store will have its own party. The headline attraction are the just-for-us books you cannot get on any other day at any other place (click here to find the celebration closest to you). But there will also be readings, and prizes, and things to eat and drink. In some cases there will be famous authors and artists, and people writing live poetry… more from the California Bookstore Day website

I’m delighted to be contributing to this celebration of the magical places of ideas, philosophy, recipes, and history, and inspiration we know as bookstores.

Below are my upcoming appearances. I hope to see you.

California

Saturday, May 3 (SANTA BARBARA)
6pm : Reading & Signing
Granada Books
1224 State Street, Santa Barbara

Sunday, May 4 (LOS ANGELES)
3pm : Reading & Signing
Beyond Baroque
681 North Venice Blvd., Venice

Monday, May 5 (LOS ANGELES)
7pm : Reading & Signing
Home of MJ Park
Silverlake

Pacific Northwest


I’m delighted to announce my tour dates for the Pacific Northwest, the second week of June:

Thursday, June 12 (PORTLAND)
7pm : Reading & Signing
Broadway Books
1714 NE Broadway Street, Portland

Friday, June 13 (SEATTLE)
6:30pm : Reading & Signing
Third Place Books
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park

As always, best of luck on your journey friends!
Tony

Share:
Be the first to comment >
Posted in Uncategorized
by Tony Brasunas on May 1, 2014