Once your book is published, it's important to track various metrics and data points to understand how your marketing efforts are performing. This allows you to identify what's working well so you can double down on those strategies. It also helps reveal where there's room for improvement.
Sales Data
Your book sales metrics will be one of the most important indicators of success. Be sure to monitor your sales regularly across all platforms and sales channels where your book is available. Look at daily, weekly, and monthly sales numbers. Analyze how sales respond after new marketing pushes and track performance after launches and promotions. Set sales goals and aim to grow your readership over time.
Online Analytics
Make use of online analytics to gain insights about how people are discovering and engaging with your book content. If you have a website or author platform, use Google Analytics to view traffic sources, what content people are visiting, audience demographics, and more. Monitor your social media engagement and follower growth. Track website conversions and email list sign-ups. See which affiliate links and promotions are driving the most referrals.
Surveys and Feedback
Getting direct feedback from readers is invaluable. Consider sending surveys to ask what readers enjoyed most, what they'd like to see more of, how they found your book, etc. Look at reviews and ratings on retailer sites. Engage with readers on social media and in your email list. See what people are saying in discussions about your book. Be open to both positive and constructive feedback so you can continue improving. Listen to what your audience wants next.
Analyzing this data over time provides powerful insights that allow you to refine your approach. Track trends to spot what's working and identify new opportunities to connect your book with more readers.