FB ads can be so hit or miss. I’ve run them at my day job and we get a surprising amount of people actually following through on the ask. Naturally I thought this would carry right over to comedy promotions. Of course, it doesn’t. Like you, decent number of clicks, almost no actual ticket sales. Very frustrating.
I’d definitely have some interest in the online vid writing course!
That’s interesting! I’ve often wondered if it’s because the Facebook algorithm can only optimize for clicks, it can’t optimize for purchases because it doesn’t see that information. But that doesn’t explain why ads work for other products and not comedy.
Thanks for your interest in the class. I’ll make a note of that!
I think part of how well it did with my job is many of our listings are employment ads and there’s a separate toggle for that. I’m guessing they have the audience for those completely dialed in. Whereas a normal comedy ad is just competing against every other business out there.
The new Amazon blurb is definitely more appealing - free text flows more easily, which suggests the book will also be easy to read. Something to consider might be a 'perfect gift for (the movie buff who loves it laugh)' kind of phrase. A lot of books are gifts, so perhaps play into that as gift season approaches?
Your Amazon description may need a little zhuzhing. For one, you need more reviews IMO. Seeing only 17 isn't enough social proof for me to buy a book as a cold lead from an ad.
Also, tbh, I want some samples of the humor. I don't know anything about this book, and the people on the cover look sad. Is it actually funny? Can you provide comedic excerpts in the description?
Also, Amazon ads has performed better for me than FB ads in the past for selling books, but your title and subtitlw may be challenging for a cold audience. No doubt your book is hilarious, but if I see that title and subtitle, I'm not immediately convinced from an ad it will be funny.
Promoting via podcasts or Substacks maaaayyyyy work better for a book like this? Would have to test that hypothesis.
Hey, I'm an Indie author and I use FB ads. FB ads for books are only worth doing if you have a series or at least 3 books to offer as you make the money on sales from the read through by readers who like your stuff - the same with Amazon ads. Although your book might be good to market as a gift for movie lovers/buffs from October to Christmas and then around Father's day etc. There is a guy called Matthew Holmes who has videos on YouTube about how to set up FB ads specifically for books and he's a really good guy to take advice from.
Love the FB ad breakdowns! I'm in tech marketing and it's wild how hit or miss ads can be, but shorter copy + visuals is almost always more effective, as your data showed.
To answer one of your questions, the only time I've ever bought a book immediately after learning about it in a review was when the description made it sound like both something my son would enjoy and something that would settle an argument with my then-boyfriend in my favor. A multipurpose tool, if you will. (And it did both!)
For Amazon it's more effective to look at clicks since it performs as a search engine, depending on what type of ads you're running. On Facebook I'd recommend focusing on impressions/reach instead of clicks. By using a CPM bid type instead of CPC, you can reach a wider audience. The more people you reach, the more potential buyers your book gets in front of.
Great job a/b testing your ad copy and book description! Also very important.
I haven't read it, but I prefer the 2nd description. I always think the Batman video is wayyyy better than the rest. I can see why it outperformed the other video. Do more of that! Good luck!
3. Confusing. It’s very wordy with not enough of your humor.
Try beginning with the word “Satire” Then a pause, (let people take this in) continuing, “do you love it?” Another pause.
“Here’s a collection of short stories that will elicit groans and head turning gafaws”
“Why read it? We all need more laughter. Give yourself this gift “
End. Of. ad.
Too many words in your video fly right by. It’s not that it’s about movies that will draw people in, it is that it is satire. Comedy at its best, intelligent fabulous laughter producing make people think comedy.
Oh, and…. Not to ruffle your feelers at all, BUT, someone else should be making your videos 😜. You don’t blink as often as people need to experience. Have you been told that before? 🫣.
Yes, I have done a lot of marketing in my lifetime.
Ps. This review, and the one right above it should be used at the top.
Most folks I know who love satire love is because it’s intelligent, and? People enjoy feeling smart!
"Carlos Greaves's writing makes you feel smart and funny just for reading it. Spoilers is a testament to Greaves's singular voice, which is both stupidly clever and infuriatingly prolific. I give this book two out of two unwashed Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants legs!" -- Mia Mercado, author of Weird but Normal and She's Nice Though
So, I opened my Amazon app to look at your book, typed in just Spoilers, and all it showed me was spoilers for cars. I tried again: spoilers carlos. Still just spoilers for cars. Then again: spoilers carlos greaves. And *finally* I get your book!
In a sense, that's nothing to do with the adverts. But it does highlight the problems of selling books on a platform that sells millions of other random things. And you never know - maybe the title is confusing Amazon as it doesn't understand that you're selling a book? I don't know the ins and outs of how Amazon ads work, though!
FB ads can be so hit or miss. I’ve run them at my day job and we get a surprising amount of people actually following through on the ask. Naturally I thought this would carry right over to comedy promotions. Of course, it doesn’t. Like you, decent number of clicks, almost no actual ticket sales. Very frustrating.
I’d definitely have some interest in the online vid writing course!
That’s interesting! I’ve often wondered if it’s because the Facebook algorithm can only optimize for clicks, it can’t optimize for purchases because it doesn’t see that information. But that doesn’t explain why ads work for other products and not comedy.
Thanks for your interest in the class. I’ll make a note of that!
I think part of how well it did with my job is many of our listings are employment ads and there’s a separate toggle for that. I’m guessing they have the audience for those completely dialed in. Whereas a normal comedy ad is just competing against every other business out there.
The new Amazon blurb is definitely more appealing - free text flows more easily, which suggests the book will also be easy to read. Something to consider might be a 'perfect gift for (the movie buff who loves it laugh)' kind of phrase. A lot of books are gifts, so perhaps play into that as gift season approaches?
Love that "gift" idea!
I love the Batman ad!! I'd totally click on it!
Your Amazon description may need a little zhuzhing. For one, you need more reviews IMO. Seeing only 17 isn't enough social proof for me to buy a book as a cold lead from an ad.
Also, tbh, I want some samples of the humor. I don't know anything about this book, and the people on the cover look sad. Is it actually funny? Can you provide comedic excerpts in the description?
Also, Amazon ads has performed better for me than FB ads in the past for selling books, but your title and subtitlw may be challenging for a cold audience. No doubt your book is hilarious, but if I see that title and subtitle, I'm not immediately convinced from an ad it will be funny.
Promoting via podcasts or Substacks maaaayyyyy work better for a book like this? Would have to test that hypothesis.
Hey, I'm an Indie author and I use FB ads. FB ads for books are only worth doing if you have a series or at least 3 books to offer as you make the money on sales from the read through by readers who like your stuff - the same with Amazon ads. Although your book might be good to market as a gift for movie lovers/buffs from October to Christmas and then around Father's day etc. There is a guy called Matthew Holmes who has videos on YouTube about how to set up FB ads specifically for books and he's a really good guy to take advice from.
Hey Carlos, been enjoying you work! I think i'd be interested in the Comedy Writing for Internet online version, will keep an eye out for it.
I think way more people like Batman than Superman, in general, and I legit wonder if that played a part.
Bottom line: You've got like twenty more experiments to run here, which means you better take your friend at Meta hostage.
Love the FB ad breakdowns! I'm in tech marketing and it's wild how hit or miss ads can be, but shorter copy + visuals is almost always more effective, as your data showed.
To answer one of your questions, the only time I've ever bought a book immediately after learning about it in a review was when the description made it sound like both something my son would enjoy and something that would settle an argument with my then-boyfriend in my favor. A multipurpose tool, if you will. (And it did both!)
Off to buy Spoilers now
The Batman ad was hands down the best…and funniest.
For Amazon it's more effective to look at clicks since it performs as a search engine, depending on what type of ads you're running. On Facebook I'd recommend focusing on impressions/reach instead of clicks. By using a CPM bid type instead of CPC, you can reach a wider audience. The more people you reach, the more potential buyers your book gets in front of.
Great job a/b testing your ad copy and book description! Also very important.
I haven't read it, but I prefer the 2nd description. I always think the Batman video is wayyyy better than the rest. I can see why it outperformed the other video. Do more of that! Good luck!
Also! Early vs late people video is super funny! I give my boyfriend a 15 minute buffer for this reason! hahaha
3. Confusing. It’s very wordy with not enough of your humor.
Try beginning with the word “Satire” Then a pause, (let people take this in) continuing, “do you love it?” Another pause.
“Here’s a collection of short stories that will elicit groans and head turning gafaws”
“Why read it? We all need more laughter. Give yourself this gift “
End. Of. ad.
Too many words in your video fly right by. It’s not that it’s about movies that will draw people in, it is that it is satire. Comedy at its best, intelligent fabulous laughter producing make people think comedy.
Oh, and…. Not to ruffle your feelers at all, BUT, someone else should be making your videos 😜. You don’t blink as often as people need to experience. Have you been told that before? 🫣.
Yes, I have done a lot of marketing in my lifetime.
Ps. This review, and the one right above it should be used at the top.
Most folks I know who love satire love is because it’s intelligent, and? People enjoy feeling smart!
"Carlos Greaves's writing makes you feel smart and funny just for reading it. Spoilers is a testament to Greaves's singular voice, which is both stupidly clever and infuriatingly prolific. I give this book two out of two unwashed Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants legs!" -- Mia Mercado, author of Weird but Normal and She's Nice Though
So, I opened my Amazon app to look at your book, typed in just Spoilers, and all it showed me was spoilers for cars. I tried again: spoilers carlos. Still just spoilers for cars. Then again: spoilers carlos greaves. And *finally* I get your book!
In a sense, that's nothing to do with the adverts. But it does highlight the problems of selling books on a platform that sells millions of other random things. And you never know - maybe the title is confusing Amazon as it doesn't understand that you're selling a book? I don't know the ins and outs of how Amazon ads work, though!