Selling your book on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform may seem like an epic endeavor, but fear not! The key is to understand that by setting up your book for sale on Amazon you can expand your readership and reach. This process can be simplified into a few steps. First and foremost ensure that your book is formatted correctly for Kindle, including having a table of contents, proper spacing and font size, and aligned margins. Next, create an Amazon KDP account. Upload the file of your book. Once uploaded, you can set the pricing and royalty rate and add relevant keywords or categories to help potential readers discover your work. Last, when everything is in order, hit the button so that readers from all corners of the globe can enjoy your creation. With some dedication and meticulous attention to formatting details you’ll successfully sell your book on Amazon KDP while reaching an audience.

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Crafting an engaging cover and captivating description

In the realm of self publishing, it’s crucial to create a cover design and captivating description that will make your book stand out among others available on Amazon.

A captivating cover grabs the reader’s attention and entices them, while a crafted description offers a glimpse into the story and leaves them eager for more. The cover should be visually appealing and relevant to the book’s genre. On one hand the description should be concise, yet descriptive enough to provide a sense of what the book’s about without giving away everything. It’s about finding a balance between providing enticing information and avoiding spoilers. Mastering the art of creating a cover and description can increase an author’s chances of selling their book and building a readership.

Enhancing visibility with keywords

In today’s digital market, enhancing your visibility is crucial. One effective way to achieve this is by incorporating keywords that make it easier for your target audience to discover you. By placing these keywords throughout your content, you boost your chances of appearing at the top of search engine results pages. If you’re planning to sell your book on Amazons Kindle Direct Publishing platform (KDP), selecting keywords becomes more important. By understanding what potential readers are searching for and integrating those phrases into your book’s metadata, you significantly increase the likelihood of your title appearing in search results.

Using reader reviews effectively

The world of self publishing has opened up opportunities for aspiring authors to share their work. However, with many books available it can be challenging for readers to discover the gems. This is where leveraging reader reviews becomes crucial. By publishing through Amazon KDP authors can invite readers to provide feedback that not only helps attract new readers but also boosts sales. Positive reviews serve as marketing tools, while constructive criticism allows authors to refine their skills and improve their work. Establishing a connection with readers through reviews is an invaluable marketplace asset.

Making the most of buyer groups and advertising options

If you’re an author looking to promote your book, utilizing buyer groups and advertising options can be an approach to catch the attention of potential readers. Amazon KDP offers opportunities for authors to advertise their work through sponsored ads and book deals.

It’s crucial to have an understanding of your target audience and participate in buyer groups where readers who share an interest in your genre can be found. By utilizing these resources you can expand your reach and boost the sales of your book. Make the most of the tools offered by Amazon KDP and witness your book achieve success.

Keep tabs on performance with KDP reports and analytics

Have you ever wondered how well your book is doing? With Amazon KDP’s reports and analytics you can easily track its performance. These reports provide insights into sales trends such as where a book is selling geographically and more. The analytics tool allows you to monitor how your book fares over time compared to other titles. By leveraging these tools, you can optimize its performance and make data-driven choices to grow your business.

So you’ve learned all the necessary skills to effectively promote and sell your book, from setting the price, designing a cover, and writing a compelling description to optimizing visibility using keywords. You’ve also learned how to leverage reader reviews utilizing buyer groups and advertising options and monitor performance through reports and analytics. What’s the next step? It’s about taking these insights and putting them into action! To ensure you make the most of your book and achieve success it’s a great idea to reach out to Elite Authors for professional assistance at every stage of the publishing process. Our experienced team in the field of publishing is here to help.

The post Maximizing the Potential of Your Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Selling Your Book on Amazon KDP appeared first on Elite Authors.

Looking to boost the visibility and sales of your books on Amazon? You’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we will explore how utilizing Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing’s (KDP’s) marketing tools can help you increase your book’s exposure and grow your business as an author. Whether you’re an author or you’ve been in the writing field for years, the tips shared here will enable you to get your pages into the hands of potential readers. We’ll cover everything from optimizing keywords on Amazon Search to setting up campaigns with KDP ads. Join us as we delve into the strategies needed to make your books stand out and sell effectively on one of the leading retailers worldwide.

Click here to get a quote on publishing services.

Gain an understanding of Amazon KDP’s marketing tools

For authors planning to self-publish their work through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform, it is crucial to grasp the fundamentals of the site’s marketing tools. Thankfully once you familiarize yourself with these tools, promoting your book and reaching an audience become a process facilitated by KDP. Authors on KDP have access to tools that can help promote their books. For instance, Kindle Countdown Deals allow authors to temporarily offer their books at a discounted price, creating a sense of urgency for readers. Another useful tool is Kindle MatchBook, which enables readers who have already bought the print edition to purchase the e-book. Additionally, authors can choose to give away their book for free during a specific time period as a strategy to build an audience and generate excitement around their work. Understanding how to leverage these tools can greatly impact your book’s reach and connect it with readers.

Make the most of the free marketing tools at your disposal

Thanks to the internet, conducting business has undergone a transformation. It has now become easier than before to reach an audience, but this has also intensified competition levels. Amazon KDP presents itself as a solution for standing out amid this landscape. By utilizing this free marketing tool, you can streamline your marketing efforts and gain exposure for your products or services. With a few clicks, you’ll be able to create a product page that resonates with your target audience and ultimately boosts your sales figures.

The advantages of utilizing Amazon KDP are evident. So, why not make the most of this tool?

Utilize effective techniques to optimize your book description and improve visibility

The world of self-publishing has experienced changes in recent times, and one platform that has played a vital role in this transformation is Amazon KDP. With millions of books accessible on the website, standing out and getting noticed can feel overwhelming. That’s where employing strategies to optimize your book description becomes crucial. These approaches can help enhance your book’s discoverability and visibility on Amazon KDP. By integrating keywords, captivating language, and a call to action into your book’s description, you can increase the likelihood of attracting potential readers and transforming them into satisfied customers. So whether you’re an author or just entering the realm of publishing, never underestimate the power of optimizing your book description when it comes to boosting visibility on Amazon KDP.

Harness the potential of Amazon ads and sponsored products

As authors, we all aspire to publish our books and witness them climb to the summit of Amazon’s bestseller list. However, with millions of books on Amazon KDP, achieving that feat is easier said than done. This is where leveraging Amazon ads and sponsored products comes into play.

These marketing techniques offer authors the opportunity to connect with readers who might not have discovered their book otherwise. By employing chosen keywords and targeting groups of people, authors can enhance their book’s visibility and ultimately increase sales. Don’t let your efforts go unnoticed. Utilize Amazon’s sponsored products to ensure your book gets the recognition it deserves and propel your writing career to new levels of success.

As the world of e-books has continued to experience tremendous growth, it is more important than ever for authors to tap into Amazon KDP’s marketing tools to take advantage of the vast opportunity available. From understanding Kindle Direct Publishing Select and the extra benefits associated with being enrolled in KDP Select to setting up a comprehensive author central page, leveraging Amazon advertising programs, connecting with influencers and book bloggers for reviews and increased reach, and discovering novel ways to maximize profits from Kindle Store sales, those who invest in their success will be rewarded! We hope that our article has given you some invaluable tips and direction toward making the most out of selling books on Amazon KDP. If you would like even more personalized help along your journey, contact Elite Authors today! Our experienced professionals are here to help you make every step count.

The post Using Amazon KDP’s Marketing Tools: How to Increase Your Visibility and Sales appeared first on Elite Authors.

As an author publishing content on Kindle, you know what a great platform it is for reaching your readers. But did you know there are different types of files and file formats that Amazon accepts for content delivery? Confused about which one makes the most sense to use when submitting content to Amazon? This blog post explores the file types and formats supported by Kindle.

Understanding the different file types for Kindle books 

As an avid reader, it’s important to understand the different file types for Kindle books. Kindle books allows you to customize your reading experience and access a range of books in various formats. No matter if you’re reading on a Kindle device or using the Kindle app, you’ll come across file types such as MOBI, AZW, and PDF. Each format has its unique features and benefits, from text reflow to page numbers, making it easier to navigate through the book. Knowing which file type works best for your reading preferences can enhance your overall understanding and enjoyment of the book. The next time you download a Kindle book, take a moment to explore its file type and unlock the full potential of your reading experience.

Exploring the benefits of EPUB files 

Electronic books or e-books have become increasingly popular. However, not all e-books are created equal; EPUB files have quickly become the format of choice for many readers. Why? EPUB files offer a host of benefits that make reading both easy and enjoyable. For one, EPUB files provide adjustable fonts and sizes, making it possible for readers with visual impairments to enjoy books without any hassle. They are also compatible with a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. EPUB files also take up little storage space, enabling readers to store hundreds or even thousands of books without worrying about running out of space. In short, exploring the benefits of EPUB files is a journey not to be missed.

Converting your manuscript from Word to Mobipocket format 

Converting your manuscript from Word to Mobipocket format is a crucial step for any author looking to publish their work on Amazon’s Kindle platform or other popular e-readers. Fortunately, you can easily make your manuscript Kindle-ready and available to a wider audience. By properly formatting your work, you’ll be able to maximize your book’s potential and stand out in the world of self-publishing. So why wait? Get started today and watch your words come to life on the digital page!

What are the advantages of using AZW3 format for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)? 

Choosing the right format for your e-book when publishing on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is another important matter to consider. One format that stands out is AZW3. What makes it advantageous? For starters, it allows for advanced formatting options like extended typography, enhanced layout, and CSS support. It provides the reader with a visually pleasing experience that closely resembles a print book. In addition, it supports various interactive features, such as pop-up footnotes and linked table of contents. Lastly, choosing AZW3 for your e-book means it will be readable on all Kindle devices and apps. So why not give your readers the best reading experience possible and choose AZW3 format for your next KDP upload.

Taking advantage of KF8 Formats (Mobi 8) in Kindle books 

E-books will continue to grow in popularity. Consequently, it’s important for authors and publishers to stay up-to-date on the latest formats available. One format that should not be ignored is KF8, also known as Mobi 8. This format offers enhanced features such as fixed layout design, embedded fonts, and support for audio and video multimedia. Taking advantage of these features can greatly enhance the reading experience for Kindle users and set your book apart from others on the market. So don’t settle for basic formatting when KF8 can elevate your book to the next level.

Utilizing HTML & CSS when creating e-books on Kindle

Readers are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to consume their favorite books. Cater to these demands and explore new avenues for reaching your audience. Kindle has emerged as one of the most popular platforms for e-book distribution. Not only does it allow for greater customization and design elements, but it also elevates the overall level of professionalism of your e-book. So if you want to stand out in the crowded e-book market, don’t underestimate the power of HTML and CSS when creating your next Kindle masterpiece.

As we’ve seen, there are a variety of file types available to authors who want to create successful e-books on Kindle. From AZW3, to KF8, EPUB, and Mobi 8 – it takes a deep understanding of each format to be able to choose the best one for your needs. With the right guidance and expertise, you can take advantage of all the features that come with each book format. With so many options available for crafting an engaging Kindle book experience, authors have the potential to revolutionize their e-book creation process by taking advantage of these advancements in technology. Don’t miss out on bringing lasting value to your readers – contact Elite Authors today and discover which file type is perfect for you!

The post Which File Types Does Kindle Support for Authors? appeared first on Elite Authors.

To make sure your masterpiece reaches a wide audience and sells, it’s essential to understand how the industry works and capitalize on one of its key players—Amazon. Amazon has more than 300 million active users worldwide and over 2 million sellers and has thus revolutionized the bookselling landscape. In this post, you’ll learn all about listing and selling books on Amazon so that you can make informed decisions regarding publishing strategies for maximum success!

The best way to list and sell your book on Amazon

In this blog post, we’re going to show you how easy it can be when you understand some key principles of marketing. We’ll take a look at useful tactics for listing and promoting your book, plus essential information about audiences and pricing, so that soon enough you can become one of those success stories with “#1 Bestseller Status” emblazoned across the cover. Let’s get started!

Research the market and select the right category and keywords for your book

As a professional author, selecting the right category and keywords for your book is crucial. This selection can make the difference between your book being discovered by your target audience or being lost in a sea of competitors. You need to conduct extensive market research to understand what categories are trending and which ones are oversaturated. This task requires both clever thinking and a deep understanding of your book’s genre and target audience. Find the right balance of keywords that are specific enough to attract niche readers while remaining broad enough to appeal to a wider audience. Ultimately, mastering the art of category and keyword selection is a critical component of any successful book marketing strategy.

Enhance your book’s visibility by using targeted Amazon Ads 

Amazon Ads can help you get your book in front of the right audience. By targeting specific reader demographics and interests, you can increase the visibility of your book and potentially sell more . But don’t just throw money at any ad campaign. A targeted strategy will maximize your budget and ensure your book ends up in the hands of those who will appreciate it most. With a bit of planning and clever execution, Amazon Ads can take your book from unknown to bestseller in no time.

Maximize your Amazon SEO by optimizing titles, descriptions, and search terms

In the highly competitive world of e-commerce, maximizing your Amazon SEO is key. One effective way to accomplish this is by optimizing your titles, descriptions, and search terms. Crafting highly descriptive and engaging title and description snippets, while incorporating relevant and popular search terms, takes careful research, strategy, and execution. However, with a little professional know-how, you can increase your product visibility, improve your search rankings, and increase your sales.

Build up customer reviews to increase trust in your product 

Customer reviews are a great way to build trust. In today’s digital age, reviews are a powerful tool that can make or break the reputation of your brand. They can help you increase the credibility of your business and gain valuable insights on how to improve and grow. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask for reviews, and leverage them to showcase the value of your product. Remember, a wise customer once said, “reviews are the new word of mouth.”

Upload high-quality images that showcase your book from all angles

Upload high-quality images that capture your book from every angle. With today’s technology, there’s no excuse for blurry or low-resolution pictures. Set up a professional photo shoot or enlist the services of a photography expert to capture the beauty of your book. Showcase your book with clear, crisp images that entice readers to take a closer look. Don’t settle for less—let your book shine with the best possible photographs.

Utilize social media to promote your book and drive sales

As a writer, the power of social media is a tool you cannot overlook in this digital age. It is advisable to identify social media that resonates with your audience and focus on building a strong presence there. Whether it’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Pinterest, your profile should present you in a professional manner. You can then use social media to promote your book.

Publishing a book can be an intimidating process. Research the market for the perfect category and keywords to reach your target audience. Improve your visibility through specifically tailored Amazon Ads and maximize your Amazon SEO. Don’t forget about building customer trust by inviting customers to leave reviews of your product, and use images that highlight all the best parts of your book. Lastly, take to social media to promote yourself and drive sales. All of this may sound daunting, but Elite Authors can help you with every step of the process. With careful consideration, you will watch as your page visits skyrocket! Congratulations on becoming an author—we know you will make it big!

The post The Best Way to List and Sell Your Book on Amazon appeared first on Elite Authors.

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, or KDP, is one of the best ways for indie authors to self-publish a book. It provides millions of people fast and easy access to each book that you publish. It serves as a fantastic book marketing tool and can really help you get your name out there!

In order to set yourself up for a lot of book sales and increase your visibility to potential readers, you’ll need to create an Author Page in your Amazon Author Central account. The first step toward success is learning what an Amazon Author Page is.

What is an Amazon Author Page?

Basically, an Amazon Author Page allows your potential readers to learn about you. You can include a biography, your social media information, your author website, book trailers, and information on other books you’ve written.

You might think of Amazon as a powerful tool to self-publish and market your book. While that is true, it can do so much more! To help you set up a great Amazon Author Page, consider checking out pages that other successful authors have created. You just need to know how to find them.

How do you locate an Amazon Author Page?

The easiest way to find someone’s Amazon Author Central Page is to hop onto Amazon’s app or website and type in the title of your favorite book. Click on any book for more information. On the new screen, just hover your cursor over the author’s name, and a box will pop up with a link that will take you to the author page.

Once you’re on your favorite writer’s Amazon Author Page, have a look around. What do you like about the information they provide? What do you think could be improved? Be sure to take notes as you read through other people’s pages. Finding what works and doesn’t work for them can help you create a great Amazon Author Page for yourself.

What makes a great Amazon Author Page?

There are a few components that every Amazon Author Page should include:

• Your biography
• A professional picture or headshot
• Information on each book you’ve written
• Amazon’s “Follow” button so your potential reader can be notified when you have a new book for sale
• Contact information, including your social media and author website

As long as you include these elements, you’ll have a good Amazon Author Page. In order to create a great one, be creative! Your biography and picture should reflect who you are. Let your potential readers have a glimpse into who is writing their favorite books! The more your page stands out, the more readers will keep coming back to buy more books.

Why is an Amazon Author Page important?

Self-publishing is extremely popular among both established professional writers and indie authors. An Amazon Author Page is important because it helps potential readers know you’re legit. And since this page allows readers to connect with you and check out all your available books, it’s a great marketing tool!

In other words, if you don’t set up an Author Page, you’ll miss out on potential readers. So log in to Amazon Author Central, and get to work!

How to set up an Amazon Author Page on Amazon Author Central

Between your KDP account, Amazon Author Central, and your Amazon Author Central Page, it might seem like you’ve got too much to manage. However, since you can access all of this information when you log into Kindle, it’s actually much simpler than you think!

As simple as it is, Amazon Author Central is crucial to your book marketing success. This platform doesn’t just contain information about you as an author—it helps potential readers find your work.

What is Amazon Author Central?

Amazon Author Central is basically your Amazon author website when you publish a book with Kindle. It allows you to create your Amazon Author Page with all of your professional writing information. In addition to your author bio, you can showcase all of your works on this page—plus check out your readers’ reviews and find out how many books you’ve sold.

Creating an Amazon Author Central Account is a great step toward earning book sales. And signing up is a snap!

How do you sign up for Amazon Author Central?

Signing up is easy. Just log into your KDP account, click on Marketing, and go to the Author Central section. You can create and manage your Amazon Author Central profile from there. Since this feature is free with your KDP account, there’s no downside to signing up!

How can you update your Amazon Author Page?

One of the biggest marketing mistakes that indie authors make is failing to occasionally update their Amazon Author Central Page. Make sure you keep your page and your author website current by posting messages, photos, videos, and new books that you’ve recently published. This will help keep your potential readers interested since they’ll see that you’re an active writer.

Fortunately, updating your Amazon Author Page is simple. Log into your KDP account, then select the option to manage your Amazon Author Central information. From there, you can add new books, upload new photos, and edit that all-important author bio.

How to create a biography for your Amazon Author Page

Your author biography is one of the most important elements of your Amazon Author Page. Readers want to know whose stories they’re enjoying, and an engaging, well-written author bio can help them connect with you on a personal level. In fact, your author bio can be one of the best ways to draw in potential readers, along with optimized Amazon listings.

The first step in setting up your Author Central profile and biography is to include key details that will draw your audience in.

What details should you include in the author biography for your Amazon Author Page?

Remember that your author profile and bio add up to a reflection of who you are. Potential readers might decide whether or not to purchase your book depending on how they feel about your bio. Make sure your bio accurately conveys your personality. Author Central Pages and author websites are a forum for the writers to be themselves, so show your audience who you really are!

Here are a few details to include in your author bio:

• Your favorite themes to write about—and why! Include a bit about your background to give your readers some insight into what inspires you to write your books.
• Your hometown, or where you live now. Readers often love to support their local writers.
• Awards, previous publications, or even a few other authors who have inspired you along your writing journey.

Now that you’ve written an awesome bio, it’s time to add it to your Author Central page!

What are the steps to adding a biography to your Amazon Author Page?

You can add your bio to your Amazon Author Page by logging in to your Kindle account. Then go to your Amazon Central page, where you can manage your information. Add your bio, pictures, and any other relevant information to your author profile. Just be sure to abide by the Author Central account length guidelines.

How long should your Amazon Author Page biography be?

Although Amazon regularly updates its platform, your author bio will likely be limited to about 2,000 characters, including spaces and punctuation. Some authors will take up each and every one of these characters, while others feel that less is more.

Remember: the goal of your author bio is to provide information about you to a potential reader. Sometimes less is more, so don’t feel that you absolutely must use every single character of the limit. However, if you have a lot of interesting things to say about yourself, your background, and your work, write an intriguing bio that uses up all the characters that Amazon will allow!

Elements of an effective Amazon Author Page that drives book sales

As e-commerce has gained popularity all over the world, indie book authors have learned that they need to work harder for each book sale. Because the e-book has become so popular, Amazon Kindle has emerged as one of the best ways for new authors to publish their work.

In order to stand out among the competition, you need an effective Amazon Author Page to attract potential readers as they scroll through their Amazon app looking for their next favorite author.

What attracts readers to Amazon Author Pages?

When some readers search for their next e-book purchase, they’re confronted with a massive number of options from all kinds of writers. They have to narrow down their choices using criteria like fiction versus nonfiction and genre. Once they’ve refined their search to include your book, your Author Page needs to attract them!

Here are a few elements that attract readers to Amazon Author Pages:

• Book cover art
• Book description
• Author bio
• Editorial review
• Customer reviews

Overall, your potential readers will be attracted to your Amazon Author Page as long as you speak to them. What book cover art do they want to see? What tone do they want to read? What information do they want to know about you as an author? As long as you carefully craft your Author Page to effectively communicate to your target audience, your readers will find you.

How can you make sure potential readers can easily find information on your Amazon Author Page?

Amazon has designed its author platform to help potential readers easily find information. However, you can make it even easier on your audience by filling in your Author Page completely.

In addition to your author bio, include a book description for every work that you’ve published, as well as each format it’s available in, such as e-book, print book, and audiobook. Don’t leave any fields blank—fill in as much as you can!

If you feel that you can earn more book sales by reaching an international audience, consider having your books published on Kindle in different languages. Amazon Author Central allows you to post your biography in multiple languages. You can reach more potential readers by being accessible in the language they’re most comfortable with.

What drives book sales the most on Amazon Author Pages?

Completing your Amazon Author Page is a big step toward ringing up book sales. However, it’s also important to consider what will make your potential readers hit that “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart” button. In order to earn as many book sales as possible, make sure that your entire author profile is well written and intriguing. After your potential reader finishes your page, they should be thirsty for more of your writing!

Another way to drive more book sales is to reference some of the famous authors who have inspired you—and possibly even a link to their Author Page URL. If you capture those authors’ dedicated fans, you could have a constant stream of new and excited readers.

Additionally, try to incorporate other media and sources of information in your Amazon Author Page. If you’re a Goodreads author, you can link that account to Amazon. Also include a link to your author website, a blog post or two that you’ve written, and your social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The more ways your readers can connect with you, the better chance you’ll have to earn each book sale!

Set up your Amazon Author Page—and let Elite Authors do the rest!

Not everyone has what it takes to be a self-published indie author—but you sure do! Elite Authors is here to help you become successful. We’ll handle the editing and book cover design, and we can even format your e-book so it’s ready for Kindle.

Visit our website today to learn how we can support your writing dreams!

The post How to Create an Author Page on Amazon appeared first on Elite Authors.

Today it’s easier than ever for an author to publish a book. Many choose to go the indie publishing route and bypass traditional publishing houses. And one of the most popular platforms for indie authors is Amazon, thanks to its global distribution channels and Kindle e-book service (via KDP Select). But what is Author Central on Amazon, and how can you learn to use it to publish your book? Read on to find out how easy it can be.

What Is Amazon Author Central?

Amazon Author Central, in short, is the central dashboard you will use when self-publishing with Amazon. Consider it your personal feature page or author profile on Amazon’s site. A potential reader can learn all about you here and access all your published books for purchase.

They can also see reviews written about your book(s), so your page can be considered a great source of credible information for potential buyers.

From this hub, you’ll be able to manage your Author Page, track information on your book sales, and collect and publish reviews of your book.

Who should sign up for Amazon Author Central?

Basically, anyone who is publishing through Amazon should sign up for an Amazon Author Central account! Do you want customers to find you and learn about who you are and why they should buy your book? Then your Amazon Author Central account and author profile are key tools at your disposal to help drive book sales.

Why is Amazon Author Central so important for authors?

Your Author Central page is important because it has so many different features you can use to leverage your book sales and book marketing. Once you create your Amazon Author Page and add your author bio, you can add in all the books you’ve written and published.

Additionally, you can add to your author profile by managing your biography, posting photos and videos, and adding in editorial reviews. A potential reader will be able to instantly access links to buy hard copies of your book, as well as the Kindle e-book versions.

Not to mention, you can use Amazon’s tools on your Amazon Author Central account to check your sales rankings and any reviews that buyers are posting.

Essentially, your Amazon Author Central page is your central repository for all things regarding your self-publishing career.

How does Author Central work?

Amazon Author Central is linked directly to your Amazon KDP account. That means that you can pull any books you’ve written and published via KDP into a listing on your Author Central page.

By keeping everything linked within Amazon’s platform, Author Central becomes a primary tool for authors to keep all of their books organized, engage with potential readers, and leverage sales.

How to join Amazon Author Central

To join Amazon Author Central, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow. The good news is once it’s done, anything you publish in the future can go right onto your Author Central page, and you can manage all your books from one place.

The most important thing to note is that you must have published at least one book via KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to create an Author Central account.

Where can you go to join Amazon Author Central?

Self-published authors can go to their KDP page and log in with their Amazon account or create a new account. Go to “Author Central.” Select the marketplace (domain) where you’d like to publish your book. Then, click “Manage author page” to get to Author Central.

From there, search for your book title in order to get started.

What do you need to join Amazon Author Central?

You’ll need your KDP account information and information on the book(s) you’ve already published to join. If you have the ISBN of your book(s), that may be helpful too.

What are the steps to joining Amazon Author Central?

As mentioned, you can log into an Amazon Author Central account via KDP. Or, if you have an Amazon account, you can go directly to https://author.amazon.com (in the United States).

The first thing the site will prompt you to do is to agree to Amazon’s terms and conditions. Then you can enter the names or ISBNs of previous books you’ve published to start creating your page. Amazon will likely use a two-step verification process to confirm your identity. You’ll have to be patient during this process—it can take up to a week!

In the meantime, you can work on filling out your author information page, but nothing will go live until your account is confirmed by Amazon.

How to find your Author Page on Author Central

Once your Author Central page is set up, the good news is it’s pretty easy to find. Just search for the name of your book on Amazon, and go the book’s page. Then click on your name.

Why is it important to be able to find your Author Page on Author Central?

If you want to become a successful indie author, you can’t leave any sales on the table. You definitely want potential readers and buyers to find your book(s). That’s why it’s so important to be able to find your Author Page easily on Author Central.

Your Author Page URL will be where all your published books are listed so readers can quickly find them all in one place. If they like one book, maybe they’ll want to try another…or even buy them all at once!

As you work on your book’s marketing plan, it’s important for readers to learn who you are and engage with you. Having a central page like your Author Central profile makes it convenient for readers to find you and learn about your work.

What do you need to find your Author Page on Author Central?

It’s pretty simple to find your Author Page on Amazon Author Central. If you’re logged onto the Author Central site, go to “Home.” Then, under the “Author Page” section, click which country’s listings you want to see. Then click the “Go” button. That’s it!

How can you direct others to your Author Page on Author Central?

To grow a successful following, you need to encourage others to visit your Author Page as much as you can. Social media is a great tool for this. You can add links into your social posts directing people to visit your Amazon site and promote your latest work. If you have your own website, be sure to promote your Author Page prominently there too.

Another good practice is to include a link to your Author Page URL in your email signature. You can also encourage visitors to your Author Central page to use Amazon’s “Follow” button so that they’ll be automatically alerted whenever you add a new book to your site. You can even create mailing lists to keep readers in the know about your upcoming plans and new books.

Tips to manage your Amazon Author Central account

Keeping your Amazon Author Central account up to date is important to maintain momentum in book sales. From managing your biography to updating photos and adding more books to your Amazon Author Page, you can best manage your author account in multiple ways.

What information should be available on your Amazon Author Central account?

There are a few key elements that should be readily available on your Amazon Author Central account to target potential readers.

• Your biography. An engaging author bio will help readers get to know you and learn about why you write your books.
• Photos and videos. Adding updated images and book trailers to your Author Central profile makes you easily identifiable and gives readers a sneak peek into your work.
• A blog feed. If you have one, you can update it instantly on your Amazon Author Central page.
• All your existing books. Pulling these from your KDP account gives readers access to your entire library of published material.
• Events and promotions. You can host these as part of your book marketing budget.
• Social media information. This, of course, refers to your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
• Reviews of your books. A great editorial review can go a long way in convincing a new reader to buy your book!

When should you have professional help with your Amazon Author Central account?

It may be easy enough to get your Author Central page set up. But sometimes, due to lack of time or expertise, managing the page can get away from you.

If you want to drive a larger marketing plan, it may be a good idea to get some professional help. That way, you can use your Amazon Author Central account to the fullest extent and keep it optimized at all times.

You can grow a following in countries outside the United States too. Just set up Author Central pages in other countries’ Amazon domains. This is a good area to engage some professional help as well. If you need translation services or help managing multiple pages, it may be time to beef up your support team. There are many book editing services out there that can assist you with your Amazon listings.

How often should you update your Amazon Author Central account?

Your Author Central account is definitely something you’ll want to keep up to date. Any time you have new books published, you should log in to make sure the book is listed and properly promoted.

Of course, when you have new photos or videos available, it’s a good idea to update them on your Author Central page. You should also add any new editorial reviews to your page, especially if they’re well written and from reputable sources. You may want to respond to the reviews, as well, to build engagement with your readers.

Get your book on Amazon today with Elite Authors.

So there you have it! Author Central on Amazon is a great central site for you to use to manage your published books and grow a following of loyal readers.

If you still need some help getting started, no worries. There are plenty of resources out there to assist you. From helping you set up a KDP account to adding new books to your Amazon Author Page, a full-service agency like Elite Authors can help.

Elite Authors offers a full staff to aid with your book publishing needs, with a particular focus on helping authors self-publish on Amazon. Reach out for a free quote today!

The post What Is Author Central on Amazon? appeared first on Elite Authors.

Publishing a book is quite an exciting time for any author. Whether you choose to take the journey with a traditional publisher or to pursue self-publishing, your masterpiece is about to go out to the world. It’s important to select the right method to publish your book, and an extremely popular platform is Amazon. An important question for any author is how much they’ll receive in royalties. If you’ve selected to publish on Amazon, you may ask yourself, How much do self-published authors make on Amazon?

There are pros and cons to becoming a self-published author on Amazon, so read on to find out what sort of sales are typical and some more information on what you can expect to earn.

Pros and cons for selling self-published books on Amazon

Traditional publishing and self-publishing platforms have unique advantages and disadvantages. Amazon, as one of the most popular places to self-publish, deserves its own section on this.

What are the pros of selling self-published books on Amazon?

If you’re interested in the pros of selling your self-published book on Amazon, check out this list:

• There’s no cost to self-publish on Amazon! (Learn more about the costs of self-publishing.)
• Your book will be distributed on Amazon’s Kindle subscription service right away. You are entitled to payment per each page of your book that is read via Kindle’s service.
• Amazon’s global reach means you have access to an enormous worldwide audience, and you can customize an Amazon Ad for even further marketing (for an extra cost).
• If you spot mistakes in your book, you are able to upload a corrected version at no cost.
• If you publish with the KDP Select program, you can earn up to 70 percent royalties on your book in many major national markets and 35 percent otherwise.
• You get paid royalties on a monthly basis.
• Amazon’s verified purchase review system means you can collect and post favorable reviews for your book’s site.
• You don’t need to worry about technical issues—Amazon handles all the web support and upkeep.

What are the cons of selling self-published books on Amazon?

Here are some of the cons of publishing on Amazon:

• The company will not edit or format your book for you. But you are still beholden to Amazon’s strict formatting and layout standards.
• Amazon will have exclusive rights to your book for ninety days.
• Your contract may limit what you are able to do as far as marketing and promotion.
• You won’t have any control over Amazon’s pricing mechanisms.
• In some states, you, the author, are responsible for collecting sales tax on every book you sell on Amazon’s platform.
• If you switch to another publisher, you’ll lose any reviews generated on your Amazon listing.
• You still have to do most of the preparation and sales work on the book by yourself, including all your own marketing.

How can you determine if selling self-published books on Amazon is right for you?

If you’re okay with relinquishing rights to your book for at least 90 days in order to start building a presence on Amazon, and you’re willing to do the editing and formatting yourself, Amazon is an easy publishing company to gain sales traction with. Frequent royalty payments are also a huge plus. Publishing services companies can help you with your book formatting and cover design so that you don’t have to complete all the work yourself.

Some of the cons may swing your decision in the other direction. If you’re looking for professional help with production and distribution, a traditional publisher may be a better option for you. Just be sure to do your research and not fall prey to any self-publishing myths that are floating around.

Book sales for the average self-published authors on Amazon

It’s important to have realistic expectations when you self-publish anywhere. Among indie authors, to date, only about forty people have earned six figures or more selling on Amazon. So, because you shouldn’t expect to become the next James Patterson selling your book as a Kindle e-book, what are the average book sales for an author on Amazon?

How many books do you need to sell on Amazon to be a bestseller?

If you want to become a bestseller on Amazon, it all depends on book sales in a twenty-four-hour period. You’ll need to sell approximately 3,500 to 5,000 books to reach that coveted bestseller status. However, there are different rankings for different categories and genres of books. It’s ultimately based on how well your book is selling relative to other similar books during the same period of time.

Bestsellers are also updated on an hourly basis, so you can expect to see quite a lot of fluctuation on these lists.

How many books does the average self-published author sell on Amazon in a year?

Again, it’s important to be realistic about how many books the average indie author can expect to sell. Some research shows that 250 to 300 books per year is pretty average. However, as an indie author, you can expect to earn much more in royalties per book than you would if you went the traditional publishing route.

What percentage of authors are successful self-publishing their books on Amazon?

Determining how many authors are successful when self-publishing on Amazon can get dicey. It depends on your definition of “success.” If your goal is to sell fifteen thousand copies of your book in a year, it’s possible you’ll hit the jackpot and get incredibly lucky. But if the majority of self-published authors are only selling 250 to 300 books per year, your goals may be out of alignment with market realities.

Those taking different publishing paths may have more options available. Published authors signed to a traditional publishing house may achieve higher sales, but that’s not guaranteed. Many fiction authors have found plenty of success with self-published e-books. Consumers looking for a quick, fun read in romance, fantasy, and sci-fi genres tend to do quite well with indie books on Amazon. Nonfiction authors may wish to try other platforms, or a traditional publishing house, to better target their key audiences.

What the average self-publishing author makes on Amazon

Now we reach the all important question: What’s the skinny on self-publishing money, and is there any to be had? How much do self-published authors make on Amazon? What can the average indie author expect to make selling on the Amazon self-publishing platform or Amazon Kindle?

How much does an average self-publishing author make on Amazon in a year?

How much a self-publishing author makes in a year on Amazon is not one size fits all. Let’s say you price your book at $9.99 and are at the 35 percent royalty level. You sell 250 copies of your book in the first year, grossing about $875. Perhaps a few hundred people are also picking up your book on Kindle, so you could potentially earn a few hundred dollars more based on the number of pages read. Other authors may sell more or less.

What factors affect how much you can make selling self-published books on Amazon?

Naturally, the amount you can expect to earn as a self-published author on Amazon depends on many things. These can include the following:

• Your book’s price point
• The royalty tier you are in
• Your genre or book category
• Which market you obtain sales in (if you’re in the markets allowing for 70 percent royalties and achieve success there, you’ll naturally see increasing revenue)
• If you’re able to develop a marketing plan that gains traction

Earnings also depend on the number of pages read via the Kindle e-book platform. This rate can be around $0.0045 per page but can fluctuate.

How are author royalties on self-published books sold on Amazon calculated?

The initial royalty on your self-published book is based on which royalty tier you are in—35 percent or 70 percent. The royalty percentage is calculated based on your listed purchase price.

After that, delivery costs are deducted (around $0.06 per book), as are sales tax, value-added tax, and delivery costs.

How to improve your Amazon sales as a self-published author

One of the pros of self-publishing is that you’re not beholden to a traditional publisher’s “rules.” Often, your book’s success comes from the work you put in to reach readers. Therefore, the more effort you expend, the more your sales may improve.

How can marketing improve your Amazon sales as a self-published author?

As an indie author, without the full marketing services of a traditional publisher behind you, marketing is absolutely central to improving your sales on any self-publishing platform. Readers need to find your book before they can buy and read it, so you need to point them in the right direction.

If you have some background in marketing, this may be no problem for you. But if you don’t, and your goal is to hit higher than average sales, it may be worth investing in some professional help to market your book.

How can author events improve your Amazon sales as a self-published author?

Hosting author events like book signings or book sales can help boost your Amazon purchases. Perhaps you have a local bookstore or library that is willing to help you. Promote your event several weeks in advance, both within the store and on social media. And invite as many people as you can. Maybe you can also arrange a giveaway or raffle of some free copies of your book.

Libraries may also book you for a speaking event. They can purchase extra copies of your book and leave them around the building for patrons to see. The library or bookstore’s social media pages can also promote your events and direct readers to your book’s web page. Maybe they have podcasts or YouTube pages where you can post an interview discussing your work.

What resources can help you improve your Amazon sales as a self-published author?

To improve your Amazon sales, there are some key areas to focus on. Your book’s listing page on Amazon is an important tool. A catchy book description will help draw potential readers to your work. Using targeted keywords associated with your book will help direct traffic to your book’s site.

Book reviews from verified purchasers can also help your book gain credence. Word of mouth is still one of the best tools out there. Growing a network around your book, especially on social media, is vital these days. Be sure to engage with your readers on your social media and thank them for reading your book. Creating lots of engagement on social media can help generate buzz about your book with your network connections.

Book trailers are a fun and catchy way to capture a potential buyer’s attention. And don’t underestimate the power of a well-designed book cover. Despite the old adage to “never judge a book by its cover,” let’s face it: The cover is still the first part of your book a reader sees. If it’s colorful and attention grabbing, buyers may be more drawn to it.

Amazon Advertising is another resource you have available. If you want to invest in some extra advertising, it may be worth it to use Amazon’s services here. You can also take advantage of a free Amazon Author Central account to enable you to quickly adapt your book’s marketing text, your author biography, and any reviews of your work.

Maximize your Amazon earnings with Elite Authors

Although Amazon still holds the lion’s share of the self-publishing market, that’s not to say that other platforms, like Apple Books and Barnes & Noble, aren’t going to grow. To expand your book’s reach, working with an agency that specializes in assisting indie authors could be a great investment.

Elite Authors offers a full staff to aid with your editing, formatting, and marketing needs, with a particular focus on helping authors self-publish and earn more on Amazon. Reach out for a free quote on our packages today!

The post How Much Do Self-Published Authors Make on Amazon? appeared first on Elite Authors.

The world of self-publishing has grown exponentially in the past few decades. Though self-publishing was once seen as a lesser alternative to traditional publishing, today it is a popular, often empowering way for authors to reach audiences all over the world. A crucial part of finding success as an indie author is how well you market your book. And this article will break down where and how to market a self-published book using a killer marketing strategy.

Where to market your self-published book

Before you launch a marketing campaign to become a successful self-published author, you must know what success looks like. Defining success depends on your goals as an author. Is this book a passion project or something you hope to turn into a career? Do you want to win literary awards or appeal to the mass market?

Focusing your marketing plan

The way you define your publishing goals informs the way you view things like profit or selling books. For instance, a hobbyist author may be happy breaking even whereas a professional indie author would strategize ways to turn a profit or sell a specific number of books.

Media formats for marketing self-published books

Once you’ve defined your measures of success, it’s time to look at how to achieve that success. Before you market any book, you must plan on how it will be available to a reader. What publishing platforms will you use? Will you publish ebooks, print, or both?

Most sales for self-published authors come through ebooks, thanks to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Select and similar programs.

Through KDP Select, authors make ebooks exclusive to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited library (though nondigital copies can be distributed through other channels). KDP Select offers promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals, which you can use to reduce the price of your book for a limited time. In addition, joining the Kindle Unlimited library exposes your work to a worldwide audience.

Print books are useful if you want to give a reader an alternative to ebooks, however, and can work as promotional tools, like in giveaways. Although trade publishers print books en masse, an indie author has the option to print on demand. In addition, KDP authors can enroll paperbacks into Amazon’s Expanded Distribution program, which distributes books worldwide to libraries and bookstores.

Marketing avenues

If you’re just getting started with how to market a self-published book, you have several options. For an indie author especially, an online presence is vital to expanding your audience and finding new readers. By establishing an online author brand, you can better connect with a reader and make yourself more visible.

Through a book promotion site like BookBub, authors pay to have their book sent to a list of readers, usually through email, in return for a book sale or download. This added exposure helps the book rank higher while readers get the book for free or at a discounted price.

An ebook aggregator allows you to publish simultaneously to multiple platforms. In contrast, a publish to platform service like Amazon KDP allows you to directly upload a book to one platform.

How marketing is different for a self-published book

Though traditionally published authors often need to do heavy lifting to market their work, self-published authors are entirely on their own. This can be a positive, granting indie authors unprecedented freedom to do things like run discount promotions or change the book price. But knowing how to market a self-published book means doing some focused research. So read on!

Amazon is king.

Although Amazon isn’t the only option for indie authors, it is the option that currently dominates the market. Authors can use tools like Amazon Author Central or the Amazon Associates program to their benefit. Moreover, optimizing your Amazon listing will help readers find your work.

Through Author Central, you can fill out a biography; add photos, videos, and book trailers; link to your website and social media (Twitter in particular is great for authors); track sales; and showcase all the books you’ve written.

Pricing is flexible.

Traditional publishing often prices books based on the market those publishers are selling into and must consider production and distribution costs. This is where self-publishing has a major advantage: as an indie author, you have the freedom to set the price for your book. Because most self-published authors focus primarily, if not entirely, on ebooks, you also don’t have to factor in the cost of producing physical copies or selling those copies to a bookstore or library (at least, not on a mass scale).

Here’s where that comes together for marketing: book giveaways and price drops. A favored weapon of the indie author, the price drop gives readers a huge discount to garner more reads and reviews.

In addition, self-published authors have more room to experiment with price. On Amazon, authors receive a 35 percent royalty for books priced from $0.99 to $1.99. And they have a 70 percent royalty for books priced from $2.99 to $9.99. When determining how to price your book, consider the length of your book, your competition’s book prices, and the size of your audience. Experiment with the way price affects a book sale.

Take your book on a blog tour.

By working with book bloggers, you can take a book tour without leaving the house. This is a critical step in learning how to market a self-published book!

Through a book blog tour, book bloggers review your book, post an excerpt, or interview you. In addition, they’ll share reviews to social media (e.g., Facebook), Amazon, or Goodreads.

This is a great book marketing strategy because it boosts your presence online, especially within your genre. It also builds social proof that you wrote something worth reading.

Strategies to promote your self-published book effectively

A successful book launch takes planning and consistency. Before, during, and after launch, there are a few things you can do to keep the conversation going around your book.

Promoting before your book launch

Promoting your book before launch can be one of the most difficult parts of the process, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on building your audience, and be consistent. In addition, choose your launch date wisely. As tempting as it may be to launch a book the minute you finish it, you’ll need time to promote your book and work out any challenges that come your way.

It’s also important to make sure you’re promoting something you can be proud of. If you haven’t already, send your work to a book editor, and polish it up. Make sure your book is free of typos, has a professionally designed, appealing cover, and intrigues readers with gripping back cover text.

At least a month before launch, send out advanced reader copies (ARCs) to interested readers. These are the people who will read your work ahead of time so they can post a review during launch week. If you can, contact people with influence or credentials in your genre. A review from a local newspaper or book blogger can reach a wider audience than one from your grandmother (though she’d probably appreciate a copy too!).

An online presence is crucial, and how you present yourself will affect how people view your book. Get professional author photos taken. Additionally, make sure your profiles on your website, Amazon, Goodreads, or any other social media you have are appealing to potential readers.

A final component to prelaunch is the launch team. This will be a group of readers who will post about your book during launch week, share reviews and excerpts on social media, and spread the word. You can find people to join your launch team from your mailing list, from other authors, from your ARC readers, or elsewhere.

Promoting during your book launch

It’s go time. Once your book launches, claim it on sites like Goodreads, Amazon Author Central, and BookBub so you’re associated with the sales page.

Ideally, your book launch team will help you spread the word on social media—from Facebook to Twitter—by posting interviews, reviews, and excerpts from your book. You can share these posts and add your own, thanking the team and your reviewers for their work.

Have a celebration, either online or in person. Consider hosting an event like a book signing, reading, or Q&A panel, and have copies available to sell.

Promoting after your book launch

After launch, take a moment to celebrate. It’s tempting to jump back into the grind—and you will eventually need to grind again—but acknowledging your hard work and celebrating your success will help stave off burnout.

Next, keep the momentum going with your email newsletter. Update readers on your latest projects, look into events to attend like a literary festival or author panel, and keep in touch with your audience.

If you plan to write for a living, the next step is to jump back in and write something new.

Best methods for marketing a self-published book

Marketing is an art of its own, but here are some things to keep in mind: entice the reader and stay consistent.

Hooking the reader

Whether or not this is a good thing, people do judge books by their covers. Create a wow factor by having your book cover professionally designed. The back cover text, meanwhile, should be intriguing and well written. It should concisely give readers an idea of what your book is about while pointing out why they need to read this specific book.

The best methods when learning how to market a self-published book

Below are some key components in determining how to market a self-published book.

Establish an author website. In addition, post an author bio and photo, share information about your work, and give people a way to contact you about events like interviews, panels, or literary festivals. Finally, include release dates of any upcoming books and links to places where readers can buy your books.

Maintain a social media presence. You don’t have to have an active presence on every social media platform to ever exist, but it’s important to find where readers of your genre are most active. Through social media, you can network with other authors, get to know your readers, and promote your work. Social media challenges or hashtags can generate hype around your book. For example, a book giveaway for your social media followers can entice people to learn more about your work or follow your social media account.

Consider content marketing. For example, blogging about your life as an author or something related to your work is one way to establish credibility among readers.

Launching a blog is a commitment on its own, however, so it can be equally appealing to join a podcast, video, or blog as a guest. Whether you interview with a media personality, write a guest blog post, or ask a creator to share a book review on their platform, joining as a guest will broaden your audience reach.

Take out advertisements. You can take out a book ad in your local newspaper or radio show to spread the word offline. Meanwhile, investing in ads on the internet is another option to find new readers. Amazon’s ads are pay per click, which makes it easier to stay within budget. Facebook and Google also offer ad features whereas social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram allow you to promote posts.

Selling ebooks on your website

There are two ways to sell books online: through marketplaces, like Amazon, or through a personal online store. Though marketplaces are more popular, a personal online store is helpful for those who want more control over their work.

An online store needs a few key features:

• Integration with a payment processing function like PayPal
• Security measures to keep your files and your customers’ information safe
• A personalized order confirmation for every customer, with a link to your ebook

Ideally, your online store could also integrate with mailing list providers like MailChimp, making it all the easier to promote your book.

Marketing with Elite

Have you published a book but aren’t sure how to get started with marketing? Even if you know how to market a self-published book yourself, Elite’s book marketing services give you the comprehensive support you need. Whether you need to optimize your book listing for SEO or write back cover copy, we can help you boost your sales and publish everywhere. Get in touch today!

The post How to market a self-published book appeared first on Elite Authors.

It’s no secret that Amazon is a global retail powerhouse. With the tools available on Amazon’s website, it’s easier than ever to market your book and find an audience. Want to learn about leveraging Amazon’s selling tools for authors to get your book in front of more readers? Read on.

Free tools for publishing and promoting your book

Marketing your book is no easy task, but it’s an important one. In order to share your work with the world, you need to promote it.

When you think of book promotion, you might picture multistate book tours, signings, and conventions. But the digital world has opened doors to marketing yourself that cost much less money and are far easier to set up.

As an author, especially if you’re self-publishing, you can run your own marketing campaigns through social media, email newsletters, and word of mouth.

Then there’s the Amazon marketing strategy.

Amazon offers a number of free programs that authors can use to publish and promote their work. The most important of these is the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) program. Through Amazon KDP, authors can upload and publish their work in minutes. KDP accounts also come with a trove of digital marketing strategies, from analytics to customizable options for your product listing.

Amazon’s free marketing tools

Through Amazon KDP, authors can access Amazon Author Central. This allows you to customize your author profile, check reviews, and track your Amazon Best Sellers rank. Additionally, fans of your work can follow your Amazon Author Page so they can learn more about you and stay updated on your latest releases.

Amazon’s other marketing tools help you share your work and connect with your audience. When you publish a book on Amazon, it automatically enables its Look Inside the Book feature. This gives readers a sample of chapters of your work, allowing them to spend more time on your product page and browse before they buy. The more impressions your Amazon product listing gets, the better it will rank in the Amazon A9 algorithm.

Amazon allows authors to gift e-books for free, which is perfect for hosting giveaways. You can also set up preorders for new e-books and promote your upcoming work on your website, through Author Central, and on social media. Plus, preorders count toward your Amazon sales rank.

Finally, Amazon offers a lending option for Kindle. This is one way to entice friends and family members to review your book—just offer to loan it to them!

KDP Select

KDP Select is an optional program that makes an e-book available solely through Amazon. Though you can distribute paperback, hardcover, and audiobooks elsewhere, digital formats of your book can only be distributed through Amazon. The program runs for ninety days at a time, after which you can either reenroll or leave.

One major upside of this is that KDP Select books are automatically made available to Kindle Unlimited users. Kindle Unlimited is a program similar to Amazon Prime. Through Kindle Unlimited, users pay a monthly fee to access any e-book in the Kindle store.

An e-book on Kindle Unlimited is distributed globally, meaning your work can get in front of more readers. Best of all? Authors in KDP Select get paid higher royalty rates than those not in the program.

KDP Select also offers features that allow you to discount or give away your book. Through the Kindle countdown deal, authors can run discounts for a limited time. Your Amazon product page will show the book’s original price, its current price, and how much time is left to get the deal.

On the other hand, you can sell your book for free through the KDP Select Free Book Promotion. The promotion runs up to five days in a ninety-day time frame, which is especially great for giveaways.

If your book performs well during its promotion, it can get noticed on Kindle’s Top 100 Free bestseller list. The more people who read and review your book, the better your book will rank. Plus, free downloads count as paid sales once the promotion ends.

How to use Amazon Posts to drive book sales

For the last few years, social media has become nearly inescapable. Businesses have taken notice, and the age of the influencer (and influencer marketing) has risen. Now Amazon is approaching advertising from a new angle: through Amazon Posts.

Amazon Posts

Amazon Posts is a feature that allows retailers to post images to a feed. Think Instagram if every Instagram post were an ad. When clicked, the posts link to product pages.

In order to use Amazon Posts, you must be a seller or vendor—that is, you must have a physical product you’re selling—and an Amazon Storefront. Customers who use Amazon DSP, an advertising feature of Amazon, can also create Posts.

Let’s say you want to sell copies of a physical book. If you have a recognized Amazon brand, you can use that to set up your Storefront and make a Posts account.

Amazon Seller vs. Amazon KDP

Amazon KDP is designed to publish e-books. But if you have physical copies of a book that you’re looking to sell, you’ll want to use a seller account. With an Amazon seller account, you can join Amazon’s brand registry and set up an Amazon Storefront.

A Storefront is a mini version of Amazon that only shows your products. It’s free to use and customizable, and because it only showcases things you’re selling, you don’t have to worry about competition. Plus, a Storefront can increase brand awareness and comes with its own Amazon URL. This URL is clean and memorable, making it easier for customers to find your products.

Creating the perfect Amazon Post

To make the most out of Posts, update your feed regularly. You can reuse content from other social media posts to highlight your product and add a call to action. Amazon recommends focusing on product and lifestyle content.

Posts show up on brand-owned detail pages, your competitors’ product pages, and feeds based on related posts and products. Where your posts show up is determined by Amazon’s algorithm.

Posts can help increase your reach and get more impressions. Plus, through the content you upload and the captions you write, you can establish a brand voice and engage with customers.

Other ways to boost sales

There are plenty of other ways to boost sales too—especially if you’re an Amazon KDP author with no physical copies to sell.

Network. Post reviews of other books, and ask friends, family members, and peers to review your own—you can lend them the book or give them a copy for free. Or write a guest post for another author’s blog to get your name out there.

Dig in to Amazon Advertising. Though not a free service, a pay-per-click Amazon ad can be an effective way to get noticed. You can also set up a Facebook ad to promote your product.

Embrace the power of emails. Keep readers updated on what you’re doing. Ask them to review your book and include a link at the end of an email.

The best marketing strategy is focused. Make a list of the concrete goals you want to accomplish and steps you can take to get them. Maybe that means promoting on Twitter or making an Amazon Post three days of the week or running a giveaway around a holiday.

How to optimize your author’s page for Amazon SEO

Your Amazon Author Central page is essential to your presence as an author. It allows readers to find you and learn more about you, and it makes you look more official. The information you upload to your author’s page will affect your search engine ranking, too.

Optimizing your Amazon author’s page

Once you’ve published a work through Amazon KDP, you’ll have access to Amazon Author Central.

Through Author Central, you can:

• Add a biography and professional photo
• Upload promotional videos and photos, like a book trailer
• Share your social media or blog feeds
• Check reviews and your Amazon Best Sellers rank
• Claim your books so that every book you’ve written and published on Amazon will be displayed on your author page

The importance of metadata

Metadata is data about data. In terms of your book, it includes things like your book’s title, subtitle, ISBN, format, and publication date. It also includes your author name.

Through Amazon, you can add more metadata, such as a book description and keywords. These are especially important for Amazon SEO because they help customers find your Amazon listing. The back cover text and book description will help customers see what your book is about and decide if they want to buy it, so be sure to hook readers immediately and let them know what they’re in for.

When choosing keywords, remember to be specific. Research the competition, but don’t forget to focus on what makes your book unique. Consider phrases customers will use to look up books similar to yours.

Getting help with SEO

Consistent book reviews are key to boosting SEO. You could choose the most relevant keywords and work on your author profile until it’s perfect, but with no reviews, your book is less likely to be seen by other people.

Reviews are important for a couple of reasons. For one, they contribute to lists, like Amazon’s top-rated book lists. For another, they add social proof: a customer is more likely to buy a reviewed book than a book with no reviews.

Getting the most out of Amazon’s free selling tools

Publishing is tough work, especially if you’re an indie book author. But marketing your book isn’t a one-and-done affair. In order to rise through the bestseller rankings, stay up-to-date with relevant keywords, and keep people talking about your book, it’s important that marketing is an ongoing effort.

Continuing your marketing campaign

At the core of marketing is doing research into the competition, like looking up bestseller categories and checking which keywords yield the best search results. By keeping an eye on the competition, you can determine which categories are the least competitive. Target those categories first. Getting your book to rank higher on a search result page for a specific category can help you build an audience and expand into larger categories.

A note: Amazon has its own in-house categories that it uses to organize e-books instead of BISAC ones, which are standardized ways of categorizing books. The names and hierarchies of certain Amazon listing categories may change from month to month. To keep up with this, take a day or two every few months—around each quarter of the year—to research the market and make sure the categories that your book is listed under are still relevant.

Boosting sales with Elite

Marketing can be a tricky beast to tame. Not sure how to boost your rankings? Consider getting professional help. Elite offers a variety of services, from editing your work to creating book trailers to helping you out with your Amazon listing. Get started with leveraging Amazon’s selling tools for authors to reach your readers today.

The post Leveraging Amazon’s Selling Tools for Authors appeared first on Elite Authors.

Nowadays, more authors are choosing to self-publish their books. With higher royalty rates and more control over the publishing process, self-publishing is a great opportunity for independent authors. This is why it’s important for authors to look into how to self-publish on Amazon.

Whether you’re looking to publish children’s books, print books, or e-books, Amazon’s self-publishing services can help you share your dream book with the world. Understanding all your options as an indie author, from KDP select to third-party editing services, can help you learn how to successfully self-publish your book on Amazon.

Pros and cons of self-publishing your book on Amazon

Learning the differences between the traditional publishing process and the self-publishing route is key to understanding the pros and cons of self-publishing your book on Amazon.

There are numerous publishing and book editing options, so choosing the right route for your book can help you generate more book sales.

Why is self-publishing your book on Amazon a good idea?

Self-publishing your book on Amazon can be a great opportunity to expand your reach as an independent author. As the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon has a huge book market. Authors can reach millions of potential readers when they self-publish their e-books and print books on Amazon.

Self-publishing on Amazon also gives you full control over the publishing and marketing of your book. You get to decide the pricing of your book, the book design, and the marketing strategy.

Furthermore, when you self-publish on Amazon, it only takes twenty-four hours for your book to appear on Kindle stores worldwide. With traditional publishing, authors wait months, even years, to hear back from publishing houses. Even if an agent or publisher wants your book, it will still take around eighteen months for your book to hit the shelves. With self-publishing, however, you can publish your book whenever you finish writing.

Finally, one of the main draws to Amazon self-publishing is the royalty agreements. Amazon allows you to earn up to 70 percent royalty sales compared to the typical 5 to 7 percent royalty rate with traditional publishers.

What are some cons of self-publishing your book on Amazon?

While Amazon is a massive market for digital and print books, the competition is fierce. It’s estimated that there are over 6 million e-books published on Amazon. As a result, standing out among the competition can be challenging. However, if you market your book to the right readership, you can generate a significant number of book sales.

Additionally, when you self-publish your book on Amazon, all the marketing is left to you. While some independent authors view this as a pro because it gives them full control over their book launch, other indie authors are often intimidated by the amount of work that goes into a successful book promotion. From creating Amazon ads to developing social media campaigns, it’s up to you to figure out how you want to market your book.

How much time should you devote to self-publish your book on Amazon successfully?

Uploading your book to Amazon’s Kindle store takes a few minutes. However, this is after you’ve finished writing, editing, formatting, and designing your book.

The process to get your book ready for publishing can take a few months. Copyediting, proofreading, and formatting can each take up to four weeks. As a result, you should dedicate a few months to get your book ready for uploading on Amazon.

Formatting your book to self-publish on Amazon

Formatting is not the most exciting part of the publishing process. However, properly formatting your book is a necessary step that can make or break the final copy of your book.

While your book cover design initially attracts readers to your book, proper formatting keeps them reading.

What tools can you use to help you format your book to self-publish on Amazon?

There are numerous tools on the KDP dashboard that can help you format your book. On this page, you can find guidelines for generating an ISBN and outlining different categories for your book.

Kindle also has separate online resources for paperback formatting and e-book formatting.

Finally, there is software you can download that will help you format your book. Grammarly, Adobe InDesign, and Vellum are some popular options.

What are some formatting tips for self-publishing your book on Amazon?

Formatting your e-book and physical book in a clear, consistent manner is key when self-publishing on Amazon. One way to do this is by creating a table of contents. This is a simple way to organize your chapters for readers.

If you’re using KDP Publishing, consider following their recommended style and formatting guides. This will help you correctly outline your title page and chapter titles.

At the end of the day, all books generally follow the same formatting outline. Therefore, it’s important your title, copyright, and dedication pages are in the correct order.

Be sure to also include a book description or author bio on the back of your book. Book blurbs are another component you can consider adding when formatting your book. They are short promotional pieces that also usually go on the back of the book.

Why is correctly formatting your book important when self-publishing on Amazon?

Formatting your book correctly is important because it demonstrates a level of professionalism. Your book’s format is essentially the look of your book. Everything from page numbers to line spacing to paragraph breaks are a part of formatting.

When readers buy a book, they expect it to have a certain look. This includes having properly spaced headings, paragraphs, and margins along with a standard font style and size.

Books that are formatted incorrectly can deter readers because they can appear disorganized and hard to read. In fact, certain publishing services, including KDP, will not upload book files that are incorrectly formatted.

As a result, the formatting of your book ultimately influences your book’s readability. If your formatting is disorganized, your book will be hard to follow, and readers won’t be happy.

Costs of self-publishing your book on Amazon

For many independent authors, self-publishing is a cost-effective option to share their book with the world. However, there are fees that can add up quickly if you’re unaware of these costs within the publishing industry. Understanding the different costs associated with self-publishing can help you stay within your budget.

Where do costs associated with self-publishing your book on Amazon come from?

The costs of self-publishing your book on Amazon mainly come from all the editing and formatting you do before uploading your book to the Kindle store. Copyediting, line editing, and developmental editing can cost anywhere between $30 to $60 per hour.

Likewise, hiring a professional cover creator for your book design cover typically costs between $500 to $800. Depending on the experience of the designer, this price can be higher or lower.

As a result, when you self-publish a book, you have control over your budget. So you can hire editors, proofers, and designers within your price range.

Finally, self-publishing your e-book or print book on Amazon is free. However, depending on which royalty plan you choose, Amazon will deduct a small fee for every book sale you make.

For example, there are delivery fees when you publish a Kindle e-book. If you choose the 70 percent royalty rate, delivery fees are per megabyte.

On the other hand, if you self-publish a hardcover book or paperback book, then there are printing costs associated with each book sale. These costs can range from $0.85 per book to $2.15 per book, depending on the number of pages and type of ink you use.

What can you potentially earn on your Amazon self-publishing royalties?

Amazon has two royalty options: the 35 percent royalty rate and the 70 percent royalty rate. To qualify for the 70 percent royalty rate, your book must be enrolled in KDP Select and must satisfy the pricing requirements.

If you choose the 70 percent royalty agreement, you can price your book between $2.99 and $9.99. As a result, you can earn between $2.09 and $6.99 on each book sale.

How much does it typically cost to self-publish a book on Amazon?

In general, most indie authors spend around $2,000 to self-publish their book on Amazon. This usually comes from editing, formatting, and design costs.

On top of this initial investment, independent authors usually have a separate marketing budget for their book promotion. Running Facebook and Amazon ads can cost a couple hundred dollars a month depending on the type and frequency of ads you generate.

How to market your self-published book on Amazon

Whether you’re publishing a children’s book, print book, or e-book, marketing is a key component to generating book sales.

Why is it important to market your book when you self-publish on Amazon?

Your book can be amazing, but without the right kind of visibility, readers will have a hard time finding your book. As a result, marketing is a vital component of the self-publishing process.

Because Amazon lists millions of e-books and print books across their site, it’s especially important to market your book to the right audience. This high volume of options can cause your book to get lost amid the competition.

However, if you accurately identify your target demographic and create curated ads toward this audience, you can sell your book to a loyal readership.

How can you increase your self-published book sales on Amazon?

There are several ways you can increase your self-published book sales on Amazon.

First, you can match your book description to Amazon’s keywords. Reviewing Amazon’s keyword practices and guidelines can help your book rank higher on the Kindle store. For instance, choosing keywords that accurately portray your book’s content will help customers find your book.

Next, conduct different marketing campaigns to generate more book sales. Amazon has a bestseller campaign that allows you to create special sales for your book on specific days. These types of limited promotions are great incentives for new readers.

Another way you can increase book sales on Amazon is through book reviews. Books that have positive reviews are more credible to potential readers.

Reach out to family and friends and ask if they would be willing to reach your book and post a review. This is a simple way to have some book reviews when you first upload your book to the Kindle store.

What platforms can help you market your self-published book?

Social media is a great platform for marketing your self-published book. By posting consistently across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, you can build a community of followers who discuss your book. This is also a great way to expand your book’s online reach.

You can also host an online book tour across your social channels to promote your book online. Consider hosting different types of events for your social media accounts. For example, you can host a free giveaway on your Instagram page, a Q&A on your YouTube channel, and a discussion on Twitter.

Blogging is another marketing strategy that can help you promote your book. Creating an author page on your blog is a great way to establish your brand as a writer.

You can also use your blog for book reviews. Consider dedicating an entire page on your author website to testimonials. This is a great way for new readers to see positive feedback regarding your book.

Finally, Amazon also has marketing programs you can use for your book promotion. Some of these services include offering a free preview of your book, preordering your e-book, and purchasing ads to run across Amazon.

Working with Elite Authors

Self-publishing your book on Amazon is an exciting step in your writing career. Whether you’re an experienced author or new to the self-publishing process, there’s a lot of factors to consider.

Luckily, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. At Elite Authors, we’ve helped over 10,000 authors publish their dream book. From book cover designs to formatting to marketing with KDP, we’ll help you every step of the way.

Contact us today and our team of professionals will help you craft the perfect book.

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