10 Smart Tips for Amazon Self-Publishing Success
- Master Your Keywords
- Amazon allows 7 keywords/phrases – make each one count. Use Amazon’s autocomplete feature while browsing in incognito mode to see what readers actually search for.
- Pro Tip: Include variations (e.g., “romantic beach novel,” “beach romance book,” “summer beach romance”) to capture different search patterns.
- Write Descriptions That Sell
- Think like a copywriter: Open with intrigue, build interest, and end with a clear call-to-action.
- Pro Tip: Study blurbs of top 20 bestsellers in your genre – notice how they structure their hooks and what emotional triggers they use. Yet another way to use that competitive analysis!
- Design for Thumbnail Impact
- Your cover needs to pop at tiny sizes. Title legibility is crucial – avoid fancy fonts that blur when small.
- Pro Tip: Test your cover by viewing it at 1-inch size on your phone. If it’s not instantly clear, simplify the design.
- Get Savvy with Categories
- Beyond your initial 2 categories, email Amazon to request placement in up to 8 additional subcategories.
- Pro Tip: Look for categories with high visibility but lower competition. Sometimes, a niche category like “Sea Adventure Romance” can give better exposure than broad “Romance.” Use Publisher Rocket to further refine your categories (and to pick categories where your book can be a bestseller).
- Price with Purpose
- The 70% royalty sweet spot is $2.99-$9.99. For first-in-series books, consider starting lower to build readership. We have a whole article on pricing right here!
- Pro Tip: Schedule price promotions for Tuesday-Thursday when online shopping peaks.
- Maximize Author Central
- Add your blog feed, events, and videos. Update your bio seasonally to keep it fresh. Complete guide right here.
- Pro Tip: Post regular author updates about your writing process – readers love behind-the-scenes insights.
- Perfect That A + Content
- In case you don’t know, the “Look Inside the Book” feature has been discontinued. A+ Content is the new “Look Inside the Book”
- Only a small percentage of authors actually take the time to learn about this feature and use it!
- Here is a whole article about how/ why to use A +!
- Grow Your Email List
- Offer something irresistible (bonus chapter, character guide, etc.) in exchange for email signups. This is that reader magnet we won’t shut up about.
- Pro Tip: Place your offer both in front matter (for preview readers) and back matter (for completers).
- Start Small with Ads
- Begin with a $5/day budget on automatic targeting. Focus on similar authors in your genre. So, so much information about Amazon KDP Ads right here.
- Pro Tip: Target books with 4+ stars and Best Seller Ranks between 10,000-70,000.
- Keep Content Fresh
- Update back matter whenever you release new books. Fix typos promptly when readers report them.
- Pro Tip: Add seasonal content to your back matter (e.g., “Perfect for summer reading” during beach season).