Most authors want to claim that they are a best seller on Amazon. Guess what–you don’t need to sell a truckload of books to make it happen. Your Amazon Tips, Tricks and Treats include:
- Make sure your book is in the right category (Amazon Central can help).
- Give 12 to 24 friends an Amazon gift card (go “help” buy your book on a certain day).
- Remind them the day before that they’re supposed to buy your book the next day (and encourage them to ask their friends and followers to join the buying party-even creating a few Tweets or Facebook postings that they can do the copy/paste/blast bit with).
- Remind them on the designated day to buy your book (yes, remind them again).
- Watch your ranking climb to the top (use a program like SnagIt to record what’s happening–Amazon changes the rankings every hour).
That’s because you don’t need to sell a lot of books to reach the top. Does it give you something to brag about? Oh, sure. Does it generate large deposits of Amazon cash in your checking account? Not necessarily. But it’s a great morale builder, adds to your visual credibility (add the #1 banner to your website’s book page) and let’s face it, it’s fun to say.
What is important is getting found and being visible.
You want searchability
Must pay attention to strategies for showing up in Amazon searches include:
- Knowing the right keywords to select and how to find and use them (use words that people normally use in a Google search).
- Figuring out the right category for your book (there are more than 60 for just “Antiques & Collectibles”).
- Presenting readers with a thorough Author Central profile (update yours regularly–add videos, kudos, your blog contacts, images).
- Getting lots of reviews (you start getting Amazon’s robot attention at 35 reviews, bit attention when you pass 110).
You want to use this stealth trick
Listmania’s function is to create lists that include books. Why not yours? Create a series of wish lists that … oh my … include titles of your books. Amazon’s robots notice that “people” want you. How cool is that?
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 35 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors and Writers was published last year.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2016, the dates are June 23-25th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.
on dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.