Is Amazon cancelling preorders?? (here's how NOT to worry)
I've noticed some authors lately saying that Amazon "cancelled" the preorders on their book. (Disclaimer: I have no way of knowing what actually happened, I'm just commenting on what I've seen publicly.)
The way I understand it, this actually cancels all the preorders that had come through before their release date, so authors end up losing out on all that income. What the heck, right?
Tbh, lots of questions went through my head: What is going on? Is this happening a lot? Is this a trend?? SHOULD I BE WORRIED???
So I did what I often do when I'm wondering about something: I turned to Google.
And found nothing.
*sigh*
BUT...I thought this would be a good mindset reminder for all of us.
If this ever happens to you, let me give you some tips to get through it.
(And if you think about it, this is a good strategy for ANY obstacle that comes up along your author journey.)
Take a breath.
I mean, this should ALWAYS be the first response when something upsets you. Take a couple if you're really worked up.
Research what happened.
Was this expected or unexpected? Has Amazon given you any insight into why this happened?
Determine your next steps.
How will you handle this? How will you communicate what happened with your followers and readers? How will you attempt to recoup those preorders?
Shift your mindset.
Every challenge that comes up in your author business can actually help you learn and grow. So ask yourself: How can I find the silver lining in this? (e.g. You have a reason to contact your followers and bring more attention to your book and your preorders!)
If this hasn't happened to you, celebrate! But also, get a plan together NOW to help mitigate the effects of something like this if it happens. *fingers crossed it won't*
The best way to do this?
Grow your email list.
If your book's preorders do somehow get cancelled, how will you contact those readers who preordered? Well, if they're on your email list, you're all set! So do the work beforehand to get as many potential readers as possible on your list. That way, you're a lot less likely to lose the sale!
You can grow your list in a number of ways, like offering a freebie for new subscribers, putting a signup on nearly every page of your website and a pop-up, talking about your freebie or email newsletter on social media regularly, and giving readers of your other books incentives to sign up for your email list in the back matter of each book (like bonus content, maybe?).
I don't know if this is a trend or I just happen to follow a few authors who have had this happen to them and it's a total fluke, but no matter what, we can learn from this.
Hopefully the steps I've outlined above — and the biggest takeaway to GROW YOUR EMAIL LIST — will give you peace of mind (and next steps).
Keep growing your author business, lovelies!
By the way, there is a very valid reason [see "Submission deadline"] for Amazon to cancel a preorder, so definitely upload your manuscripts in time, people.)
<3 Melissa
P.S. If you want help growing your author business or just need clarity around something you're struggling with, I'm offering free 30-minute clarity calls to help you get a plan together. Click here to schedule yours!