My Amazon KDP Advertising Campaign Strategy for Authors: Don’t Run Ads on Your Books Until You Read This!

I’m hoping I’ve caught you at that pivotal moment before you are running your first ad to your book on Amazon, because what I am about to tell you is going to save you SO MUCH MONEY.

When it comes to book marketing, you really can’t do any better than paid ads on Amazon.  They are cheap (if you do them right), targeted (if you do them right), and can really help your career and your book sales (again, if you do them right).  Amazon ads are not just the best way to advertise Amazon products.  They are absolutely the best way to sell more books.

However, here is my bold and somewhat controversial statement: your book is probably not ready for paid ads.

I know, I know. That’s not what you wanted to hear. But bear with me. I’ve seen countless authors pour money into ads, only to see little or no return. Why? Because their books weren’t set up for success in the first place. Before you dive into advertising, let’s ensure you’re not making some of the most common (and costly) mistakes.

Here are the most common reasons books aren’t ready for ads:

1. You Don’t Have a Reader Magnet / Email Signup Inside Your Book

This is my number one “do not pass go, do not spend a single penny on ads” rule.
One huge problem with the whole self-publishing industry is that no one tells indie authors about the “missing piece” of marketing, which is that you should 100% not be paying for advertising unless you have a means of capturing readers and making them your subscribers. You do that by placing a link (or a QR code) inside your book to a freebie you will give them in exchange for joining your email list. If you do not have that, please stop what you’re doing and get my free book on this very subject. Amazon will take your money any time of the day or night but do not give them that money unless you have this one piece set up. This is how you ultimately win with paid advertising— by using it to build an email list of super fans that will buy all of your books when they come out so you’re not starting over with every launch.

Here’s the reality: when you sell a book on Amazon, you’re selling to their customers, not yours. Amazon is never going to tell you who bought your book or give you access to their information. If you don’t encourage readers to sign up for your email list, you’re throwing away the chance to turn Amazon’s customers into your customers.

Let’s crunch some numbers. Say you get super lucky and your book becomes a bestseller. You sell 25,000 books without a reader magnet. That’s 25,000 missed opportunities to grow your email list. With a strong reader magnet, you could easily convert 25% of those buyers into email subscribers—that’s 6,250 people on your list! A list of that size could help you launch your next book to bestseller status on day one. Without it, you’ll start from scratch every single time.

So, before you invest in ads, set up a reader magnet and link it inside your book. This step is free and invaluable.

2. Your Cover Isn’t Competitive

Your book cover is your #1 advertisement. If it doesn’t look professional or doesn’t meet the standard for your genre, you’re going to lose money.

Take a screenshot of your book cover and compare it to the top 5–10 bestsellers in your niche. For example, when I searched for “shape shifter romance” on Amazon, here is what I found:

 

My point with this exercise?  If you write shifter romance, your cover should look like this (or better).

What about your genre/ niche? Does your cover stand out in a good way? If not, allocate your ad budget to a professional redesign. Your book’s success starts with its first impression.

3. You Didn’t Do Keyword Research

Keywords are the backbone of Amazon’s algorithm, and if you skipped this step, your ads are likely to fail. Those seven back-end keyword boxes you filled out when you uploaded your book? They tell Amazon what your book is about.

Without proper keyword research, Amazon’s advertising engine might show your book for completely unrelated searches—wasting your money on clicks from people looking for bat spatulas or garden gloves.

Before you advertise, revisit your keywords using tools like Publisher Rocket or Amazon’s search suggestions. Make sure your keywords align with what readers in your genre are actively searching for.

4. You Didn’t Do a Competitive Analysis

Competitive analysis is critical. How does your book stack up against the bestsellers in your genre? If you didn’t do this step, you might not realize that your book is missing the mark in obvious ways. For example, is your pricing way off for your genre/ niche? Is your book much longer/ much shorter than other books in your genre/ niche? Do books like yours only succeed if they are part of a series?

Advertising should build on a solid foundation. If your book isn’t competitive, ads will only highlight its shortcomings.

5. Your Book Doesn’t Have Reviews

Reviews are social proof, and they’re essential for converting clicks into sales. If your book has zero reviews (or very few), it’s going to struggle against books with hundreds of glowing ratings.

Spend time gathering reviews before you advertise. Send ARCs (Advance Review Copies) to readers or reach out to reviewers in your genre. Building this foundation will make your ads much more effective.

If you have made it all the way through this “your book is not ready” gauntlet and do, in fact, have all of these things in place, then hurrah!  Let’s run an ad.  I always start out with a “general/ automated targeting” ad for the first week, just to see what Amazon thinks my book is about and to see what they suggest.

Let’s go through the setup process together the first time, because I believe Amazon actually WANTS you to rush through the advertising setup for your book. When you rush, they make money. They are counting on the fact that you don’t even want to be paying for advertising (or marketing your book) in the first place, and that you are going to try to get through setting up paid advertising as quickly as possible. 

“Automatic targeting,” in case you don’t know, is when you  tell Amazon “You go ahead and pick the keywords/ products to advertise my book against.”

Here’s why this is a smart starting point:

  1. Simplicity: You don’t need to research keywords or analyze competitors right away.
  2. Data Gathering: Automated ads provide insights into which keywords and audiences perform well for your book, which you can use later in manual campaigns.
  3. Cost-Effective Testing: You can set a low daily budget and test how your book performs before investing more heavily.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up an Automated Targeting Ad

Follow these steps to create your first Automated Targeting campaign:

1. Log into Your Amazon Advertising Dashboard and Find Your Book

Here’s an example:  this is my book, “How to Market a Book,” and this is where I would go to run the paid ads for it:

 

 

If your book is in KDP (which I’m assuming it is, since you are trying to learn about paid advertising strategies), click on “Promote and Advertise” as indicated above.  If you’re advertising the Kindle edition, it’s right there on the side.  If you’re advertising the paperback or hardcover, just click on the three little dots, then select “Promote and Advertise.”

 

I’m sure this goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway:  if you’re trying to be thorough, you’ll need to start all of the different ad types for each version of your book (and by that I mean Kindle eBook, Paperback, and Hardcover), because each one of those is a completely different book in Amazon’s eyes and each one has its own sales and BSR (bestseller rank).  Many authors choose to just start a set of ads on the Kindle eBook edition just to test the waters.

Here’s the first screen we see after clicking on “Promote and Advertise” for the eBook.  My book is not in KDP Select (the book itself has a whole chapter on why but I won’t bore you with that now), so I’m just picking “Run an Ad Campaign” and selecting the US marketplace.  Annoyingly, you will need to open an advertising account for each of the different markets where you want to run ads for your books, because despite being a multi-billion dollar company, Amazon has not figured out how to streamline this interface.

When I choose “.com” and click the yellow “Create an ad campaign” button, I then see this screen:

Again, not sure why Amazon makes it so annoyingly difficult for us to spend our money with them, but here we are.  You want “Sponsored Products” for the purposes of this example.   The other two options are a little more advanced and shouldn’t really be offered to you at this point, since you are just trying to get over the hump of running your first ad.  So, go ahead and click the blue “Continue” button under “Sponsored Products.”

Great!   Now we are faced with a bunch of other choices.   Hang in there!  We’re going to get through this!

2. Set Your Ad Format and Name Your Ad Group

This box defaults to “custom ad text,” which is weird because that forces you to write ad copy, making it even less likely that you are going to actually launch an ad.   I have tested both and have found absolutely no advantage to doing this, so I recommend you just set it to “Standard ad” and move on.  If you decide you want to test an ad with some custom copy in the future, you can start a new ad for that.

Name your ad group something that is easy to remember.  Yes, this is your very first ad, but if you love paid advertising you’ll be starting a bunch more, so you’ll need to be able to quickly tell them apart.

Next up is the “Products” screen, and if they didn’t select your book already, go ahead and find/ select it.

3. Select Targeting Type

  • When prompted, choose Automated Targeting. This lets Amazon decide which keywords and product pages are most relevant to your book.

4. Set Your Bidding Strategy

  • Amazon will suggest a default bid. Stick with this for now or slightly reduce it to stay conservative.
  • Choose one of the following bidding strategies:
    • Dynamic Bids – Down Only: Amazon lowers your bid if it determines the ad is less likely to convert.
    • Dynamic Bids – Up and Down: Amazon adjusts your bid up or down depending on conversion likelihood.
    • Fixed Bids: Your bid remains constant.

For beginners, Dynamic Bids – Down Only is a safe choice as it helps control costs.

5. Create Your Ad Group

  • Ad Group Name: Use something clear, like “Book Title – Auto Ad Group.”
  • Select the Book: Choose the book you want to advertise from your catalog.

6. Set Your Default Bid

  • Start with Amazon’s suggested bid. If you want to play it safe, you can lower it by 10–20% to control costs during your initial test.

7. Launch Your Campaign

  • Review your campaign settings to ensure everything looks good, then click “Launch Campaign.”

Monitoring Your Campaign

Once your ad is live, monitoring its performance is crucial. Here’s what to watch for:

  1. Impressions: This shows how many times your ad has been displayed. Low impressions may indicate that your bid is too low.
  2. Click-Through Rate (CTR): A good CTR (around 0.5% or higher) means your ad is catching readers’ attention.
  3. Cost-Per-Click (CPC): Monitor how much you’re paying per click. Keep your CPC in line with your budget and profit margin.
  4. Sales and ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sale): ACOS is the percentage of your ad spend relative to sales. Lower ACOS means better profitability.

Tips for Success with Automated Ads

  1. Optimize Your Book’s Metadata: Before running ads, make sure your book’s keywords, categories, and description are optimized. These elements influence where Amazon places your ad.
  2. Set a Realistic Budget: Start small and scale up based on performance. It’s better to spend cautiously while you learn.
  3. Give It Time: Ads take time to gather data. Don’t panic if you don’t see immediate results—let the campaign run for at least 2–3 weeks before making major adjustments.
  4. Analyze and Adjust: Review your ad’s performance weekly. If your CTR is low, consider improving your book’s cover or description to make it more appealing.

Final Thoughts

I’m 99% sure your book is not ready for paid advertising yet, but if it is, starting with an Automated Targeting ad is a smart way to ease into Amazon Advertising. It’s low-risk, beginner-friendly, and provides valuable insights that can guide your future campaigns. By letting Amazon’s algorithm handle the targeting initially, you can focus on learning the ropes and refining your strategy.

Remember, successful advertising is a marathon, not a sprint. Start small, monitor your results, and adjust your approach as you gather data. With time and effort, you’ll be well on your way to reaching new readers and boosting your book’s visibility.

If you’ve fixed your book and have run an initial automated ad, great!  Click here for the next part in the series, the keyword ad. 🙂

 

 

Making Your First Book Free Forever (Permafree): A Strategy That Actually Works

Ever wondered why some authors give away their books for free? It might seem counterintuitive, but making your first book permanently free (some call it “permafree” ) can be one of the smartest moves you’ll make as an author. Let me tell you why.

Why Would Anyone Give Away Their Book?

Think about the last time you discovered a new favorite author. Chances are, someone recommended them, or you took a chance on a good deal. That’s exactly what permafree is about – it’s like offering samples at a grocery store. Readers get to try your writing without any risk, and if they love it, they’ll happily pay for more.

This strategy works especially well if you’ve written a series. You make the first book free, and once readers are hooked on your characters and story, they’re excited to buy the rest of the series. It’s not just about immediate sales either – you’re building a loyal readership who’ll anticipate your future books.

Making It Work For You

Let’s talk about how actually to do this. First, you’ll need to pick the right book. If you’re writing a series, this is pretty straightforward – use your first book. Just make sure it’s your absolute best work. Remember, this is many readers’ first impression of your writing, so it needs to be polished, professionally edited, and have a cover that looks fantastic.

Now, here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Amazon doesn’t actually let you set your price to zero (wouldn’t that be nice?), but there’s a workaround. You’ll need to make your book free on other platforms first – places like Apple Books, Kobo, or Google Play. Then Amazon will usually price-match it. You can use services like Draft2Digital or Smashwords to help distribute your book to multiple platforms at once.

Making The Most of Your Free Book

Your free book needs to work hard for you. At the end, you want readers thinking, “Wow, I need more!” Here’s how to make that happen:

First, make sure your book ends in a way that naturally leads readers to want the next one. Include a preview of your next book – just enough to leave them eager for more. Add links to where they can buy the next book, and consider offering a free bonus story if they join your email list.

You’ll also want to spread the word about your free book. There are websites dedicated to promoting free books, like Freebooksy and BookBub. Social media can be powerful too – people love sharing good deals with their friends. If you’ve got an email list already, definitely let them know about your free book.

Learning From Success Stories

Look at authors like Hugh Howey, who used this strategy with his Wool series. He made the first part free, and readers were so hooked they couldn’t wait to buy the rest. Or take Bella Andre – she’s used free books to build a massive readership in romance fiction, leading to millions of downloads and a very successful career.

Watch Out For These Pitfalls

There are a few things that can trip you up with this strategy. The biggest one? Making sure all your books maintain the same quality. If your free book is amazing but the paid ones disappoint, readers won’t stick around. Also, don’t just make your book free and hope for the best – you need to actively promote it.

Is This Right For You?

Permafree isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a long-term strategy that works by building trust with readers. Think of it as an investment in your future readership. You’re trading short-term profits for long-term gains.

The key is patience and consistency. Keep monitoring how many people download your free book and how many go on to buy the next one. Try different approaches to promoting it, and pay attention to what works best for your specific genre and audience.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to give away a free book – it’s to find devoted readers who’ll stick with you throughout your writing career. When done right, a permafree strategy can help you build exactly that kind of loyal, enthusiastic readership.

Does Amazon Buy Back Books?

If you’ve ever looked at your bookshelf and wondered what to do with books you no longer need, you might have considered selling them back to Amazon. But does Amazon actually buy back books? The short answer is yes, but with some conditions. Here’s everything you need to know about Amazon’s book buyback process and alternative options to make the most of your unwanted books.


Amazon’s Textbook Buyback Program (Now Retired)

Amazon used to have a formal textbook buyback program where you could sell back used textbooks in exchange for Amazon gift cards. However, this program was discontinued in 2020. So, if you’re specifically looking to sell textbooks, Amazon no longer has a dedicated program for that purpose.


Can You Still Sell Books on Amazon?

Yes! While Amazon no longer runs a buyback program, you can still sell books directly on their platform. Here’s how:

1. Use Amazon’s Trade-In Program

Amazon still accepts some items, like electronics and video games, through its Trade-In Program, but books are no longer included. However, this might change in the future, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their trade-in policies.

2. Sell Books as an Individual Seller

We actually have a whole article about selling books on Amazon right here. The gist is this:

You can list your books for sale on Amazon’s Marketplace as an individual seller. Here’s how:

  • Log in to your Amazon account.
  • Go to the product page of the book you want to sell.
  • Click the “Sell on Amazon” button.
  • Set your price and choose your shipping options.

Keep in mind:

  • Amazon charges selling fees (usually a percentage of the sale price).
  • You’ll need to ship the book yourself once it sells.

3. Partner with a Third-Party Book Reseller

Some third-party services, like SellBackYourBook.com or BookScouter, work in conjunction with Amazon to help you sell books. These platforms allow you to compare buyback prices from multiple vendors, making it easy to find the best deal.


Tips for Selling Books Successfully

To maximize the value of your books, follow these tips:

  1. Check Condition: Books in excellent condition fetch higher prices. Make sure there are no torn pages, stains, or excessive wear.
  2. Research Market Value: Use tools like BookScouter to compare prices across platforms before listing your book.
  3. Bundle Sets: If you have a series, sell it as a bundle to increase its appeal to buyers.
  4. Take Good Photos: When listing books on Amazon or other platforms, clear and well-lit photos can make a big difference.

TL;DR 

While Amazon no longer has a dedicated book buyback program, it still offers avenues to sell books through its Marketplace. Additionally, third-party platforms and local options provide alternatives for selling or donating books. Whether you’re looking to clear shelf space, make a little cash, or support a good cause, there are plenty of ways to give your books a new life.

Amazon KDP Ads– the keyword ad

When to Move to Manual Targeting

After running your Automated Targeting campaign for a few weeks, you’ll have valuable data about:

  • Keywords that generate clicks and sales.
  • Which product pages your book performs well on.

Use this information to create a Manual Targeting campaign:

  • Focus on high-performing keywords identified in your Automated campaign.
  • Refine your targeting to reach the most engaged readers.
  • Use the keywords from your keyword research and anything you found on Publisher Rocket.

Go through the same interface as when you started the automated ad, then choose “keyword targeting.”

Both of these types of ads work great, and you can run them both at the same time (you’ll need to start them separately).   As with all things Amazon, the more specific you get the better, so make sure you are prepared with a good list of keywords and/ or a list of competitive titles.  As with the “Automated Targeting” rant, I will encourage you to never ever take Amazon’s default suggestions. Remember, they are trying to make money for themselves, which they do when they sell advertising clicks, not when you sell books.

Here’s an example of how they are going to try to do that in the “Manual” keyword interface:

This is hilarious.  If I click the “Add All” button and start this ad, Amazon is going to advertise this book against the words “Book,” “Cookbook,” “Free Books,” “marketing,” “sap,” “how” and “free,” and is going to charge me up to $1.21 PER CLICK for that privilege.

Again, no thank you, and please get ahold of yourself, Amazon.   I would be happy to come in for a meeting if you’d like some feedback.

The way to best use this particular interface (and to harness the magic of the Amazon suggested search algorithm) is to switch over to the “Enter list” tab.   Switch to “custom bid” and set the bid for something really low like 10 cents.  Also, uncheck “Broad” for match type, because that gets us back into “Amazon wilding out and advertising your book against random words” territory again.

Your screen will look like this:

 

ok, now enter the topic/ genre/ subject of your book, and hold on to your hat!   This part is cool.

 

 

Well, will you look at that?!  Amazon is actually being insightful and helpful.  Most of these suggestions are what my book is actually about.   I will just repeat this type of search with phrases like “how to market a book” and “marketing self-published books” until I have a list of about 50 keywords.  When you get the hang of this you can go up to 100 keywords per campaign, but for right now let’s stop at 50 and get this thing launched.

Nice!   You should have a similar list that is related to your book’s subject matter or genre.  You can use the names of other authors, other books, and anything else you think might be relevant or get someone to buy your book.   Also, if you never filled out the seven keyword slots when you published your books, take some of these great keywords and fill those out right this minute!

Next up is “Negative Targeting,” and we’re skipping that because this is our first ad and we don’t have that kind of insight yet.   I swear we’re almost done!

“Campaign bidding strategy” is after that, and I recommend that you choose “Dynamic bids, down only” because you never want to give Amazon permission to spend MORE of your money than your default bid. “Down only” is a good option because that way, Amazon can LOWER your bid to see if doing so will still yield a click.  If/ when it does, great!  You’ll know that for the future.

 

You made it! You’re on the very last choice before you can launch this ad!

I know, that was stupid complicated.    I feel your pain.

The very last thing we’re going to do is fill out the “Settings” for the ad.  Here’s what mine looks like:

Amazon has now moved this down to the very bottom, which is even more problematic for you because you are likely to be fed up by then and miss this “gotcha” moment.  The default for this screen is “No End Date,” but you should actually NEVER start a brand new ad with no end date!!  Having no end date is going to make you think you can “set it and forget it,” which you absolutely cannot ever do with paid advertising.  “No end date” is just Amazon wanting to stick their hand in your pocket and start taking your money from now on, whether or not your ads are working.  They are counting on the fact that you are a right-brained creative ADHD type and you will probably a) forget this ad is running, b) forget to check it regularly, and c) never come back to optimize it.  So, whatever they are offering you here is what’s going to happen from now on, and I promise you, you’re not going to like it when you get the bill at the end of the month. Remember, you have to pay Amazon for these ads whether or not they result in book sales. 

So— change that date  to two weeks from the day you start running the ad.  You want to schedule this like everything else in your life that costs money and needs maintenance.  You wouldn’t enter into an open-ended, paid agreement with no end date with any other company, so don’t do it here.

The second problem is that you have absolutely no idea what to set your daily budget for, and Amazon’s certainly not going to give you any guidance that might discourage you from getting in over your head.  They’ll let you set that sucker to $100 a day and spend every penny!  They do not care if you sell no books and end up cash flow negative.  They made money, so who cares about you? 

I advise people to just set this for $5- $10 dollars per day at the beginning and check it every single day. You will have ample (just, so many!) opportunities to raise your daily budget, so start small and manageable and scale up as you gain more knowledge.  There is no need to “go big or go home” at this moment in your career. 

Shockingly, YOU ARE NOW DONE with your second ad!  Hit that beautiful blue “Launch campaign” button at the bottom.

This button right here!!  I made the screenshot huge so we could celebrate this moment together.

 

As if you haven’t been through enough, this is actually not the end of this Amazon Advertising nonsense.  What happens next is that your ad is “submitted” to some kind of internal Amazon KDP advertising bot for “approval.”

This is rather ambiguous and definitely unsatisfying, but we’ll take it.  We’re done for now! You will receive an email when your ad is officially running.

 

This Just In: Amazon Will Disappoint You

If you’re a self-published author who’s uploaded your book to Amazon and waited for the sales to roll in… well, you’re not alone. I’m going to tell you some stuff right now that you’re probably not going to like, and for that I am very sorry.

Here it is:  just putting your book on Amazon is not enough, and it has never been enough. Amazon isn’t a magical bookstore fairy that showers visibility and readers upon every new title, and the fact that you used their book publishing service (Kindle Direct Publishing, or KDP) makes zero difference to them.  In fact, those are two completely different businesses that rarely talk to each other. Amazon is, at its core, a marketplace—a very big and busy one—and it’s your job to make sure people actually find your book.

Here’s the thing: Amazon doesn’t care if your book sells. I know, it’s harsh. But Amazon is a business, and their priority is making money from whatever products sell well—books, gadgets, even inflatable unicorn pool floats. If your book isn’t already getting traction, they’re not going to step in and help.

So, what can you do after that terrible realization? Let’s break it down.


Amazon Is a Marketplace, Not a Marketing Machine

This is where a lot of authors go wrong. They think, “I’m on Amazon. That’s exposure, right?” Well… not exactly. Being on Amazon is like putting your book on a shelf in the world’s biggest library. Sure, it’s there—but how will anyone find it among the millions of other books unless you point them to it?

Amazon’s algorithm only works for books that are already selling well or have a lot of reviews. If your book doesn’t have traction, it gets buried under the digital pile. The good news? There are ways to give it a boost.


Step One: Nail Your Keywords

Amazon does give you one important tool: keywords. These are your way of telling the algorithm what kind of readers should see your book. For example, if you’ve written a cozy mystery, your keywords might include “amateur sleuth,” “small-town mystery,” or “cat detective.” (Yes, that’s a thing.)

The key is to think like your reader. What would they type into Amazon when looking for a book like yours? If you’re not sure, use tools like Publisher Rocket or just type keywords into Amazon’s search bar and see what comes up. And don’t be afraid to experiment. If your book isn’t getting found, go back and tweak those keywords. Use Publisher Rocket to help with this. It’s a great asset.

But here’s the thing: even with the perfect keywords, you still need to do more.


Step Two: Drive External Traffic

Amazon loves it when you bring readers to their site. They reward books that generate external traffic because, at the end of the day, more traffic means more sales for them. So how do you get people to click over to your book?

1. Build an Email List

If you don’t already have an email list, start one now. Your email list is like a direct hotline to readers who already love what you do—or who are curious enough to sign up for updates.

One of the best ways to grow your list is by offering a reader magnet. This could be a free short story, a bonus chapter, or even a printable checklist related to your book’s topic. Use a service like MailerLite to set up a sign-up form and start collecting emails. Once you have a list, you can email readers about your new book, sales, or promotions.

2. Use Social Media Strategically

Social media can be a great way to connect with readers—but it works best when you’re consistent. Share behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process, post fun trivia about your book’s genre, or even just engage with readers about things you love.

When it comes time to promote your book, don’t just post a “Buy my book!” link over and over. Create engaging content, like graphics, teasers, or videos, that encourages readers to click.

3. Run Paid Ads

If you don’t have a big audience yet, paid advertising can help. Start small with Amazon Ads to target readers searching for books similar to yours. Facebook and Instagram ads can also work well if you know how to target your ideal audience. Not sure where to start? Try a small budget and test different ad copy and images to see what works.


The Cold Truth About Visibility on Amazon

Amazon is a powerful platform, but it’s not a marketing service. If you upload your book and do nothing else, chances are it’ll just sit there collecting digital dust while you become more frustrated by the day. To succeed, you need to take control of your book’s promotion.

  • Optimize Your Keywords: This helps Amazon understand where to display your book.
  • Drive Traffic: Use email lists, social media, and ads to send readers to your book’s page.
  • Build Momentum: Early reviews and consistent promotion will help your book gain traction.

In Conclusion: It’s On You

Here’s the bottom line: Amazon isn’t going to sell your book for you. That’s your job. But the good news is, you don’t need a giant marketing budget or a huge audience to get started. By focusing on the basics—keywords, traffic, and engagement—you can set your book up for success.

So don’t let your hard work go unnoticed. Take charge of your promotion, and let readers know your book exists. Amazon may not do the heavy lifting for you, but with a little effort, you can make your book stand out in the crowd.

The Ultimate Book Promotion Checklist

ok, I am going to hit you with a whole exhaustive list of every single thing you’ll need to do to promote a book, from formatting it properly to launching it to (I apologize) stopping before you launch it to build an audience.

This list is a work in progress so it is subject to change (and grow). Let me know if you think I missed something!


Pre-Launch Preparation

  1. Complete your manuscript and ensure it’s professionally edited and proofread. A polished manuscript increases your book’s chances of success by delivering a better reading experience.
  2. Format both eBook and paperback/print-on-demand versions properly. Proper formatting ensures your book looks professional and meets retailer requirements. Check out formatting tools like Vellum.
  3. Design a high-quality, genre-appropriate cover. A professional cover is your first chance to make an impression on potential readers. Find cover designers on platforms like 99designs.
  4. Ensure consistent fonts, spacing, and design in your interior formatting. This helps avoid readability issues and ensures your book feels cohesive. Explore formatting templates for Word or InDesign.
  5. Finalize metadata: Include a clear title, subtitle, author name, ISBN, keywords, and categories. Metadata is essential for discoverability and helps retailers recommend your book. Understand Amazon metadata best practices here.
  6. Craft a professional author bio and obtain a high-quality author headshot. A well-written bio introduces readers to you, while a good headshot conveys professionalism. Learn how to craft an engaging author bio.
  7. Build or optimize your author website. A professional website serves as your online hub for books, updates, and audience engagement. Check out author website examples.
  8. Select and configure a newsletter service: Options include MailerLite, ConvertKit, or EmailOctopus. Your newsletter is a direct line to readers and critical for long-term engagement. Compare email marketing services here.
  9. Develop and distribute a Reader Magnet. Offer a freebie (short story, bonus chapter, etc.) in exchange for email sign-ups to build your mailing list. Use tools like BookFunnel to distribute reader magnets.
  10. Set up or optimize your social media profiles. Focus on platforms where your target readers are most active and keep branding consistent. Find tips for authors on Instagram here.
  11. Create a book landing page featuring: The cover, summary, reviews, purchase links, and an opt-in for your reader magnet. A well-designed landing page can significantly boost conversions. Learn how to create effective landing pages.
  12. Identify your niche and target audience. Research where your ideal readers spend time online and what they enjoy. Discover tools for audience research.
  13. Choose a primary social platform and focus on building a following. Consistency and authenticity are key to attracting readers. Check out guides for authors on TikTok.
  14. Post engaging content relevant to your audience. Share a mix of personal insights, teasers, and interactive content to keep your followers engaged. Learn what content works for authors.
  15. Promote your Reader Magnet to convert followers into email subscribers. Highlight the benefits of your freebie in posts and profile bios. Find reader magnet ideas here.
  16. Interact consistently with followers to build community and recognition. Respond to comments, engage in discussions, and establish your presence. Learn social media engagement tips.
  17. Set a realistic launch date, allowing time for pre-launch activities. Consider factors like editing, ARC distribution, and promotional buildup. Find a book launch timeline template.
  18. Define your goals (e.g., sales, reviews, newsletter growth) and budget. This helps you stay focused and avoid overspending. Calculate your publishing budget.
  19. Assemble a launch team (e.g., beta readers, ARC reviewers, and a street team). These supporters help spread the word and provide critical early reviews. Learn how to build a street team.
  20. Create a detailed marketing calendar, including social media posts, emails, and interviews. A plan ensures consistent outreach and prevents last-minute stress. Download a free marketing calendar template.

If you have no audience at all, this is where you will need to pause and focus on employing the Follower Funnel Method for six months to a year (or more). Building a foundational audience is critical to ensuring your book has an engaged group of readers ready to support its release. The follower funnel method includes identifying your niche, consistently engaging on one or two social media platforms, creating valuable content, and converting followers into email subscribers via a compelling reader magnet. While this step takes time, it is essential for long-term success. Learn more about audience-building strategies here.


 

Advance Review & Buzz Building

  1. Distribute ARCs via trusted reviewers, BookFunnel, NetGalley, or BookSprout. Early reviews build credibility and help attract more readers to your book. Discover how to distribute ARCs effectively.
  2. Provide clear review instructions for platforms like Goodreads and Amazon. Simplify the process to make it easier for reviewers to leave feedback. Learn how to request reviews professionally.
  3. Use ARC feedback to generate social proof and collect blurbs for marketing. Positive quotes from early readers can be used in ads and promotional materials. Get tips on leveraging reviews for marketing.
  4. Set up pre-order pages on platforms like Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Pre-orders help create momentum and boost visibility on launch day. Learn how to set up pre-orders.
  5. Announce pre-orders via newsletters, social media, and your website. Include an enticing call to action and exclusive offers to encourage early purchases. Find pre-order marketing strategies here.
  6. Offer incentives (e.g., exclusive content or early-bird pricing) to encourage pre-orders. Make the deal irresistible to build excitement and boost sales. See examples of pre-order bonuses.
  7. Post a cover reveal to generate excitement. Use social media or email to share your cover and ask for feedback or engagement. Learn how to plan a cover reveal.
  8. Share sneak peeks, excerpts, and behind-the-scenes content. These small previews keep your audience intrigued and looking forward to your book’s release. Discover creative teaser ideas.
  9. Countdown to launch day with engaging posts or quizzes. Include fun facts, polls, or interactive elements to maintain interest. Find countdown post examples here.

Launch Week Activities

  1. Craft a compelling book description and refine metadata. A strong blurb and optimized keywords improve discoverability and conversion rates. Read about writing effective book descriptions.
  2. Claim and optimize your Amazon Author Central profile. Add your bio, photos, and book details to make it easy for readers to find your work. Learn how to set up your Author Central page.
  3. Use engaging subject lines and include a launch announcement in your email newsletter. Share purchase links, bonus content, and a request for reviews. Get examples of effective email subject lines.
  4. Share launch-related updates daily, varying content types. Include posts like “Thank you” messages, launch day videos, or live sessions. See social media ideas for book launches.
  5. Host a live event (e.g., Q&A or a virtual book party). Live interaction adds a personal touch and builds stronger connections with your audience. Learn how to host a virtual book event.
  6. Run ads on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, or BookBub. Start with small budgets to test what works best for your audience. Explore guides for book advertising.
  7. Adjust bids and creatives based on performance. Monitor ad metrics to identify which campaigns are generating the best ROI. Learn how to analyze ad results.
  8. Run a Goodreads giveaway or host contests on social media. Giveaways attract readers and can increase your book’s visibility. Find out how to run a Goodreads giveaway.
  9. Partner with other authors for cross-promotions. Teaming up with authors in your genre can expand your reach and introduce your book to a new audience. Discover strategies for author collaborations.

Ongoing Promotion & Visibility

  1. Encourage early readers to leave reviews. Reviews provide social proof and help improve your book’s ranking in search results. Learn how to ask for reviews effectively.
  2. Reach out to book bloggers and influencers. These partnerships can introduce your book to their established audiences. Find tips for working with book influencers.
  3. Pitch yourself to podcasts, blogs, or local media. Sharing your story and expertise helps build your author brand and expand your reach. Check out tips for media pitching.
  4. Engage with online and local book clubs. Offer to host discussions or provide group discounts to attract bulk purchases. Learn how to connect with book clubs.
  5. Donate books to libraries and offer to host events. Libraries are a great way to increase visibility and reach new readers. Discover how to get your book into libraries.
  6. Use retargeting ads on platforms like Facebook. Retargeting allows you to reach people who showed interest in your book but didn’t purchase. Find out how retargeting works.
  7. Run seasonal campaigns (e.g., holiday promotions). Tie your book promotions to relevant holidays or seasonal events to boost interest. Get seasonal promotion ideas here.

Events & Appearances

  1. Host webinars, virtual signings, or online workshops. These events allow you to connect directly with readers and showcase your expertise. Learn how to host virtual events.
  2. Speak at online conferences in your genre. Sharing your knowledge or insights can position you as an expert and attract a wider audience. Explore speaking opportunities for authors.
  3. Arrange book signings and workshops. In-person events are great for connecting with readers and building a local fanbase. Check out tips for successful book signings.
  4. Participate in book fairs or festivals. These events provide networking opportunities with other authors and publishers. Find a list of book fairs and festivals.
  5. Join joint signings, cross-promotions, or themed bundles. Collaborating with other authors expands your reach and attracts new readers. Discover collaborative marketing ideas.

Long-Term Strategy

  1. Maintain an author blog and post updates regularly. Blogs help improve SEO, engage readers, and showcase your expertise. Learn how to create a successful author blog.
  2. Send engaging newsletters to your mailing list. Share updates, exclusive content, and promotions to keep readers interested. Explore email newsletter ideas here.
  3. Develop consistent branding and network with other authors. Branding helps readers identify your work, while networking opens up collaborative opportunities. Read about building an author brand.
  4. Monitor sales, review trends, and engagement metrics. Use analytics tools to refine your marketing strategies and identify what works best. Check out tools for tracking book sales.
  5. Adjust marketing strategies based on data insights. Experiment with different approaches to maximize ROI. Find strategies for optimizing campaigns.
  6. Work on your next book or spin-offs to maintain momentum. A growing backlist helps sustain long-term income and reader interest. Explore tips for writing sequels.
  7. Use your current audience as a launchpad for new releases. Encourage them to spread the word and engage with your latest work. Discover reader engagement tips.

Bonus Tips & Reminders

  1. Stay organized with tools like Trello or Asana. Keeping track of tasks helps streamline your publishing process. Check out productivity tools for authors.
  2. Experiment with different tactics and track results. Be open to trying new strategies and adjust based on what resonates with your audience. Find marketing experiment ideas here.
  3. Celebrate milestones to maintain motivation. Acknowledge small wins like your first review or hitting a sales target. Learn about setting milestones for success.

KDP Select/ Kindle Unlimited: Everything to Know

KDP Select: A Detailed Overview

KDP Select is an optional program offered through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform that provides authors with unique promotional tools and benefits in exchange for making their eBook exclusive to Amazon. By enrolling in KDP Select, you commit to a 90-day period during which your eBook cannot be sold or distributed on any other platform, such as Kobo, Apple Books, or Google Play. While this exclusivity may seem restrictive, it unlocks a suite of features that can significantly enhance your book’s visibility and earning potential, especially for certain genres that thrive on Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited (KU) platform.


Key Features of KDP Select

One of the biggest advantages of KDP Select is access to Kindle Unlimited (KU) and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL). These programs allow Amazon subscribers and Prime members to borrow your book at no extra cost, dramatically expanding your potential readership. Instead of earning royalties per sale, you’ll earn based on the number of pages readers complete. The funds for these payouts come from the KDP Select Global Fund, which Amazon allocates monthly. For some authors, particularly those in genres with voracious KU readers like romance or thrillers, these page-read royalties can make up a substantial portion of their income.

KDP Select also gives you access to promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions. With Kindle Countdown Deals, you can discount your book for a limited time, while Amazon displays a countdown timer on your book’s product page to create urgency. Free Book Promotions, on the other hand, allow you to offer your book for free for up to five days during each 90-day enrollment period. These tools are invaluable for gaining visibility, attracting new readers, and boosting your sales rankings.

However, the most important factor in making KDP Select work for you is having a strong reader magnet. A reader magnet is an irresistible freebie—such as a bonus epilogue, prequel, or exclusive short story—that you offer to entice readers to join your email list. Including a clear call-to-action (CTA) in your book can help convert readers gained through KDP Select promotions into loyal fans who are excited for your next release. Building a robust email list through these efforts ensures that you’re not solely reliant on Amazon’s algorithms or policies and gives you a direct line to your audience.


Genres That Succeed in KDP Select

Certain genres thrive in KDP Select due to their alignment with Kindle Unlimited’s reader base and subscription model. These genres typically attract avid readers who consume books rapidly and favor serialized content or genre-specific tropes. The most successful genres in KDP Select include:

  • Romance: Subgenres like contemporary, paranormal, historical, and romantic suspense perform exceptionally well due to loyal readers who binge-read and love series.
  • Thriller and Suspense: Readers enjoy fast-paced plots and recurring characters, with subgenres like psychological thrillers and crime thrillers being particularly popular.
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy: Epic fantasy, urban fantasy, and niche subgenres like LitRPG excel due to immersive worlds and devoted fanbases.
  • Cozy Mysteries: These lighthearted, character-driven mysteries with amateur sleuths and small-town settings attract consistent readers.
  • Horror: Psychological and supernatural horror appeal to KU readers who enjoy high-tension, fast-paced stories.
  • Self-Help and Personal Development: Non-fiction, especially in areas like productivity, mindfulness, and entrepreneurship, finds a strong audience in KU.
  • Erotica: Steamy romance and erotica thrive due to privacy Kindle devices offer readers, though authors must adhere to Amazon’s content guidelines.
  • Young Adult (YA): Fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian YA books perform well, particularly those with crossover appeal to older readers.
  • Paranormal and Supernatural: Books featuring vampires, witches, and shapeshifters succeed in romance, urban fantasy, and horror niches.
  • LitRPG and Gamelit: This growing niche appeals to fans of video game-inspired storytelling.

Benefits of KDP Select

KDP Select offers several key benefits for authors:

  • Increased Discoverability: Being part of Kindle Unlimited exposes your book to a large audience of avid readers.
  • Additional Revenue Streams: Royalties from page reads through KU and KOLL can supplement direct sales revenue.
  • Promotional Flexibility: Tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions provide strategic opportunities to drive sales and downloads.
  • Simplified Focus: Exclusivity means focusing marketing efforts on a single platform (Amazon), which can be easier for new authors.

Drawbacks of KDP Select

While KDP Select has significant advantages, there are also limitations:

  1. Platform Dependence: Exclusivity ties your success to Amazon’s ecosystem, limiting your ability to reach readers on other platforms. If Amazon changes policies or removes your book, it can heavily impact your income.
  2. Missed Opportunities: Not distributing to platforms like Kobo, Apple Books, or Google Play means missing readers who prefer these ecosystems. Excluding your book from library systems also limits its reach.
  3. Unpredictable Earnings: Royalties from page reads depend on the KDP Select Global Fund, which fluctuates monthly. The payout rate per page read can vary.

Is KDP Select Right for You?

KDP Select is a fantastic tool for authors writing in popular Kindle Unlimited genres, especially those who are new to self-publishing or looking to gain visibility quickly. However, success depends heavily on strategic planning. Pairing KDP Select with a strong reader magnet can help you turn casual readers into long-term fans, while careful use of promotional tools can maximize visibility and sales. For authors in high-performing genres like romance, thrillers, or fantasy, KDP Select offers a powerful way to build momentum and grow your audience. If your goals align with what KDP Select offers, it can be a game-changing program for your self-publishing career.

Should You Pay for Book Marketing Services?

If you’ve self-published a book, you’ve probably wondered whether paying for book marketing services is worth the investment. With countless companies and consultants promising to boost your sales, build your platform, and make your book a bestseller, it’s tempting to dive in. But is it the right move for you? Let’s break it down.

What Are Book Marketing Services?
Book marketing services are professional offerings designed to promote your book and increase its visibility. These services range from running advertising campaigns to organizing book launches and securing media coverage. Common services include:
– **Social Media Campaigns**: Managing posts, ads, and engagement.
– **Email Marketing**: Building and nurturing your reader list.
– **Advertising**: Running ads on platforms like Amazon, Facebook, or BookBub.
– **Public Relations (PR)**: Securing interviews, reviews, or media mentions.
– **Promotional Listings**: Getting your book featured on discount or free book platforms.

Prices for these services vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for basic campaigns to thousands for comprehensive packages.

When Paying for Book Marketing Makes Sense
Paying for book marketing services can be worthwhile under certain circumstances. Here are some scenarios where it might make sense:

1. You Have a Marketing Budget
If you’ve set aside funds specifically for marketing and understand the potential return on investment (ROI), paying for professional help can save you time and accelerate results. Just make sure the services align with your goals.

#### **2. You Lack Time or Expertise**
Effective book marketing requires a lot of time and know-how. If you’re juggling a full-time job or other commitments—or if marketing feels overwhelming—outsourcing can free you up to focus on writing.

#### **3. You’re Promoting a High-Potential Book**
If your book has strong market appeal (e.g., it’s part of a popular genre, well-written, and professionally packaged), marketing services can help it reach its full potential. Books with broader appeal tend to perform better with paid promotion.

### **When Paying for Book Marketing Might Be a Waste**
Not all books are ready for paid marketing, and not all services are worth the cost. Here’s when you should think twice:

#### **1. Your Book Isn’t Professionally Prepared**
Marketing won’t fix a book with an unpolished cover, poor editing, or lackluster formatting. If your book isn’t up to market standards, focus on improving it before spending money on promotion.

#### **2. You Don’t Have a Clear Goal**
Are you trying to grow your email list? Generate sales? Build your brand? Without a clear objective, it’s easy to waste money on ineffective campaigns.

#### **3. You Don’t Have a Reader Magnet/Email List in Your Book**
If your book doesn’t include a reader magnet—a free bonus offered in exchange for joining your email list—you’re missing a key opportunity to turn readers into loyal fans. Paid marketing can drive sales, but without a way to capture your readers’ information, you won’t build an audience for future launches. Adding a reader magnet is free and can significantly increase your long-term marketing effectiveness.

#### **4. You’re Relying on Marketing to Fix Low Sales**
If your book isn’t selling, marketing alone isn’t always the solution. Poor sales could be due to issues like unclear targeting, poor metadata, or weak reviews. Identify and address the root cause first.

### **What to Look for in Book Marketing Services**
If you decide to invest, choosing the right service provider is crucial. Here’s what to keep in mind:

#### **1. Transparency**
Look for companies that clearly outline what they’ll do for you, how they’ll do it, and what results you can expect. Avoid vague promises like “We’ll make your book a bestseller.”

#### **2. Proven Experience**
Check for testimonials, case studies, or portfolio examples. If a company can’t provide proof of past success, consider it a red flag.

#### **3. Alignment with Your Goals**
The services should match your needs. For example:
– Want more reviews? Look for a service that specializes in ARC (Advance Reader Copy) distribution.
– Need ad management? Ensure the provider has experience with platforms like Amazon or Facebook.

#### **4. Realistic Pricing**
Beware of companies charging exorbitant fees without guaranteeing results. Likewise, avoid services that seem too cheap—they may lack the expertise or resources to deliver quality work.

### **DIY Book Marketing: An Alternative**
If you’re not ready to pay for marketing services, you can achieve a lot on your own. Here are some cost-effective strategies:
– **Leverage Social Media**: Build an organic following by posting consistently about your book and related topics.
– **Start an Email List**: Offer a reader magnet to encourage sign-ups and engage with your audience through regular newsletters.
– **Run Your Own Ads**: Platforms like Amazon and Facebook allow you to start small and scale up as you learn.
– **Collaborate with Other Authors**: Cross-promote with authors in your genre to reach new readers.
– **Submit to Book Promo Sites**: Services like BookBub, Bargain Booksy, and Freebooksy often deliver excellent ROI for discounted or free book campaigns.

TL;DR
Should you pay for book marketing services? The answer depends on your goals, budget, and the current state of your book. If you have the funds and your book is professionally prepared, outsourcing can save time and help you reach new readers. However, if your book isn’t ready or your goals aren’t clear, you’re better off refining your approach or trying DIY marketing first.

In the end, no marketing service can guarantee success. The most important factors are the quality of your book, your understanding of your audience, and your commitment to promoting it consistently. Paid services can amplify your efforts, but the foundation of your book’s success ultimately rests in your hands.

Can You Publish a Book on Amazon for Free?

Publishing a book on Amazon has become a popular route for aspiring and established authors alike. The good news? Yes, you can publish a book on Amazon for free using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). This platform allows authors to upload their manuscripts and reach millions of readers worldwide without any upfront costs. Here’s a detailed look at how the process works and what you should consider.


How to Publish Your Book on Amazon for Free

To get started, sign up for a free account with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).  You can only have one KDP account per person!  I am so serious about this! Once you’re in, follow these steps:

First, prepare your manuscript. Amazon accepts files in Word (.docx), PDF, and several other formats. Ensure your text is properly formatted for digital reading or print, depending on your publishing goals. If you’re publishing a Kindle eBook, consider using Amazon’s free formatting resources or guides to make your manuscript reader-friendly. For print books, formatting should adhere to paperback or hardcover standards.

Next, you’ll need a book cover. If you’re on a tight budget, Amazon offers a Cover Creator tool, which is free and easy to use. However, many authors opt to hire professional designers to make their books more visually appealing, which can increase sales.

Once your manuscript and cover are ready, log into KDP and start entering your book details. This includes the title, subtitle, author name, and description. Upload your manuscript and cover files, and then preview your book to ensure everything looks perfect. KDP provides tools to preview both eBook and print formats.

Finally, set your pricing. You can choose to publish your book as a Kindle eBook, paperback, or hardcover (or all three). For eBooks, Amazon lets you set your price and offers two royalty options—70% or 35%—depending on your book’s price and distribution. For print books, royalties are calculated based on the sale price minus printing costs.

Once everything is complete, hit the “Publish” button. Your book will typically be live on Amazon within 24 to 72 hours.


Is It Really Free?

Yes!  The actual publishing on Amazon is indeed free, but there are optional costs you might consider to enhance your book’s quality and appeal. For example, professional editing and proofreading can significantly improve your manuscript, while a custom-designed cover often attracts more readers. Additionally, formatting tools like Vellum (for Mac users) or paid formatting services can make your book look polished and professional. These optional investments aren’t required, but they can help your book stand out in a crowded marketplace.


Understanding Royalties

Although there are no upfront fees to publish on Amazon, the platform takes a percentage of your book’s sales. For Kindle eBooks, you can earn either 70% or 35% royalties, depending on your book’s price and the geographic regions where it’s sold. For print books, royalties are calculated by subtracting the printing cost from the sale price.

For example, if your paperback is priced at $10 and the printing cost is $4, you’ll earn $6 per sale, minus Amazon’s fee. Understanding this structure helps you price your book competitively while maximizing your earnings.


Benefits of Publishing on Amazon for Free

Publishing on Amazon comes with several advantages beyond its zero-cost entry point. For starters, it provides global distribution, allowing your book to reach readers across multiple countries. You retain full control over your book’s rights and pricing, and you can make updates to your manuscript or cover at any time.

Amazon also offers promotional tools like KDP Select, which allows eBooks to be part of Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service that can boost your book’s visibility. Additionally, you can use Amazon Ads to target potential readers and drive sales.


Final Thoughts

Publishing a book on Amazon is an excellent way to share your story or expertise with the world, and the fact that it’s free makes it accessible to virtually anyone. While optional expenses like professional editing, cover design, and formatting can enhance your book’s appeal, the platform itself allows you to publish without any financial barriers.

Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer, Amazon’s KDP platform is a powerful tool for turning your manuscript into a published book. With careful preparation and thoughtful marketing, you can reach a wide audience and start earning royalties—all without spending a dime upfront.

How to Sell More Books on Amazon

If you’ve self-published your book on Amazon, chances are you’ve spent some time staring at your sales reports (or lack thereof), wondering when those sales are going to start rolling in. That, or you’ve been anxiously refreshing the listing page for your book, waiting for the moment when the BSR (sales rank) indicates that you’ve made some sales.

We’ve all been there. After working for what seems like forever on a book, it can be beyond heartbreaking to log in day after day to find that you’ve made zero sales. What about all that effort you put in?  What about “if you build it, they will come”?   WHY IS NO ONE BUYING YOUR BOOK?

I have many answers to this question, and I’ll start with the simplest one:  did you build an audience before you released your book?

If not, start there.   In fact, I believe in that so strongly, I’ll make it # 1.

1. Build your audience.  In this case, “audience” means email list, and if you don’t have one of those already, can I recommend that you get started on that, like, yesterday?  You need an email list to be a successful author. I would put “email list” even above websites for important things for authors to have. After all, if you don’t have any people, how are you going to get the momentum going for your book?  Many authors learn this the hard way, but just publishing a book on Amazon does not entitle you to book sales. Yes, Amazon has its own built-in audience, but you have to do something to get the momentum going. Ideally, that would mean sending out an announcement about your book to your 10,000+ person email list. an email list is an essential tool for any author who wants to connect with their readers, build their brand, and promote their books effectively.

Here is more information (in fact, a whole free book!) about how to set up your email list so people can start signing up.  Seriously.  Get on that!

2.  Put A+ content on your book’s page.  A+ content is essentially an expanded description of your book that includes images, videos, and other rich media. A+ allows authors to showcase their products in a more visually appealing and informative way

A+ content can help you sell books on Amazon in several ways. First, it can help your book stand out from the competition. A+ content provides an opportunity to create a more engaging and informative product page that helps potential customers better understand what your book is about and why they should buy it.  A+ content is free, so why wouldn’t you use it? Any space you can get for free on Amazon, you should take.

Additionally, A+ content can help improve your book’s search ranking on Amazon. By including additional keywords and rich media, you can improve the relevance and visibility of your book to potential customers.

Here is more information about A+ content!

 

3. Take out paid ads on your book (through Amazon)

In case you’re not familiar with paid ads on Amazon, Amazon Advertising is a suite of advertising tools that Amazon offers to sellers and vendors on its platform. It includes several different types of ads, such as sponsored products, sponsored brands, and sponsored display ads. These ads can appear on various parts of the Amazon platform, including search results, product detail pages, and even on external websites.

Amazon Advertising can help you sell more books by increasing the visibility and discoverability of your products on Amazon. By creating targeted advertising campaigns, you can reach potential customers who are actively searching for books similar to yours, or who have shown interest in your book’s genre or topic.

One of the key benefits of Amazon Advertising is that it allows you to track the performance of your ads in real-time. This means you can adjust your campaigns as needed to optimize your ad spend and ensure that you’re getting the best possible return on investment.

To get started with Amazon Advertising, you’ll need to have a seller or vendor account on Amazon. From there, you can create advertising campaigns and set your budget and targeting criteria. Amazon also provides a range of tools and resources to help you get the most out of your advertising campaigns, including analytics and reporting tools, as well as best practices and optimization tips.

Here is more information on amazon ads!

 

4.  Use GoodReads to get the word out about your book. This will work especially well if you are an active GoodReads user, meaning you already know the interface and participate in the community.   You can create a profile on GoodReads, add your book(s), host giveaways, participate in groups, get reviews, and alot more. Plus, GoodReads is owned by Amazon, so that counts for something!  Here is some more information about GoodReads (and a great video interview).