Should I offer a first-time visitor discount on a self-published book I'm selling if my margin is already very low?

No, you shouldn’t discount low-margin products like books. If you’re only making a small profit per unit, taking another 20% off eliminates your motivation to sell it and can actually cost you money. Instead, bundle the book with other products to increase perceived value, or sell signed copies which feel more valuable and justify the full price. Reserve discounts for products with healthier margins where you can afford to incentivize without losing money.

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Asked by an artist selling a book · Answered by Juan · Office Hours · 2026-07-07