Post B86ZIDuyLZxEpysTFw by grimalkina@mastodon.social
 (DIR) More posts by grimalkina@mastodon.social
 (DIR) Post #B86ZIDfNHZTg3ba0wa by grimalkina@mastodon.social
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       Can you, as one person, possibly make a difference in whether an unusual, creative, category-breaking book (a book without a marketing department or a budget behind it) succeeds?Yes you can, and I'm going to tell you why it's a hell of a lot more attainable than you think.
       
 (DIR) Post #B86ZIDuyLZxEpysTFw by grimalkina@mastodon.social
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       There's a stat that went viral claiming half of all books sell fewer than a dozen copies. It's actually not as bad as all that (the analyst later walked back her claims), but a general benchmark you can keep in mind is that roughly two-thirds of books from major publishers won't crack 1000 copies in their first year. 1000 copies...hang on, that's a low threshold. The amount of signal it takes to stand out from it is *tiny* But there's even more: *when* you do it matters
       
 (DIR) Post #B86ZIE9VTXa3Z3g4uW by grimalkina@mastodon.social
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       You will see authors like your girl here start to sound a little bit unhinged when we talk about "preorders." But WHY. It's because a book that sells 500 copies spread over six months looks, mathematically, like a failure to most "is this book something we should show people" systems. The same 500 copies concentrated into one week, especially the preorder windows, can trip thresholds.Thresholds like: this book lands in retailer algorithms. This book lands in a purchaser's consideration
       
 (DIR) Post #B86ZIEzcLnGSAg3h8S by grimalkina@mastodon.social
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       These systems around creative work can feel overwhelming, I get it. Cold and brutal algorithms. But lord, is it easy to tip some of them over at the right time. I mean, it's also FUN to know you help. The difference between 0-1 is immense for: - having real, tangible reviews online - selling copies in preorders You don't need to actually move a mountain. You don't even need to imagine that thousands upon thousands of copies need to move. Real human actions actually do matter here.
       
 (DIR) Post #B86ZIG3YOe0VTAuLuS by grimalkina@mastodon.social
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       Here's where it gets personal for Psychology of Software Teams specifically.This is a research-grounded, traditionally published book without a marketing department behind it — the only path is finding its way into a technical audience mostly through word of mouth and community trust.Which means: for a book like this, the real human signal is the marketing plan. There's no ad budget compensating for a slow start.
       
 (DIR) Post #B86ZIH6mU8BOjTQRZw by grimalkina@mastodon.social
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       POST's book proposal, the one that got me the book deal, already had your voices in it. I highlighted: - specific social media posts from technical people about my research- the times I've given talks and the type of resonance I've seen - times people shared about using my work in their orgsSo not just for me, but for EVERY future "weird author" with their passion project labor of love book, your voice can matter. You can create the evidence that our work matters. You already did it.
       
 (DIR) Post #B86ZIJ2bIe1kj5U8LA by grimalkina@mastodon.social
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       So how do you help the authors you want to help?- Preordering, if you were going to buy it anyway, from wherever's easiest, doesn't need to be a specific retailer- Telling one specific person "you'd like this book" — this converts at a far higher rate than anything!- If you're on a team or in a reading group, suggesting it there  - Requesting it at your local library; this counts as a real signal too, and costs the end reader nothing! https://www.drcathicks.com/#book