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How to Market Your Kindle Book

How To Market Your Kindle Book

You have dreams of having your Kindle book reach #1 in sales rankings. Yet as you stare at your listing, you have just 8 total sales in three weeks. It makes you question your desire to be a writer. You wonder if you’ve wasted your time.

You haven’t. The lack of sales is often from a lack of marketing – not from a lack of talent. When you know how to market your Kindle book properly, then you can maximize the number of downloads and sales that you receive. Here’s what you’re going to want to do.

#1. Take advantage of the 5 free giveaway days.

Why you use KDP, you’re allowed up to 5 free days for your book in any given period. People always love free stuff, especially if there is the promise of receiving something valuable for their time investment. Research shows that the best time to offer a free day is Monday. You can either start your free days consecutively Monday-Friday one week or have 5 free Mondays in a row.

#2. Keep the price of your book within reason.

Most authors who are selling a Kindle book will want to take advantage of the 70% royalties that are offered in some territories. To do that, you must follow the Amazon Pricing Structure practices, which includes a minimum price level for that royalty. Yet you do not want to overprice your book either. You want people to think of your book as a value investment instead of an expensive, overpriced item.

#3. Use calls to action throughout your book.

Even fiction writers can use a call to action at the end of their book to drive future readership. A simple line that says, “You can connect with the author each month through this newsletter,” with a link to the email signup page, can bring in some additional fans and followers. But don’t just leave it at the end. Sprinkle calls to action throughout the text, especially for self-help or advice books, to maximize this marketing benefit.

#4. Connect with your readers over social networks.

People are always on Facebook and Twitter these days. You can’t forget about Pinterest or Instagram. Professional networks on LinkedIn or Google Plus can create leads as well. Plus there are all of the smaller networks, blogging sites like Tumblr, and online forums where you can communicate with your readers. If you are active on these networks, then you’re going to create the potential for higher sales.

#5. Make sure your cover is compelling.

You can’t take a random picture and slap on some text from a basic photo editing program to give yourself a good cover. A compelling cover will draw the reader into the material and want to know more about it. It should be a high quality image, original if possible, and appear well on a variety of reading platforms.

#6. Target the places where Amazon markets Kindle books.

Amazon will market your book in places on the site like “More Items to Consider,” “Customers with Similar Searches Purchased,” and “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought.” Target potential readers who can really dominate these areas for you. High volume readers in your category are going to provide you with a better chance at beneficial placements in these areas.

#7. Edit your book. Then edit it again.

Poor grammar, spelling errors, and similar issues can creative negative reviews. Avoid these by comprehensively editing your book before publishing it with KDP.

#8. Consider creating a print-on-demand book from your digital footprint.

When your book is available in multiple formats, you are able to market to more potential customers. This has an added cost to it, but with enough work into your marketing plan, it could enhance your profits.

#9. Join the Amazon Associates program.

Join the referral program and put up listing links from your website or blog to your book. This can help you earn up to an additional 4% on each sale that you personally drive to your own book.

#10. Consider creating a limited-time discount for your book.

If you have used up your 5 free download days for your book, you may still be eligible to offer your book at a discount. Take advantage of the Countdown Deals to get your title noticed. If you see that Amazon is selling your book for a discount, promote this fact over your social media networks extensively.

#11. Get those reviews.

Ask readers to review your book. It will help.

Knowing how to market your Kindle book takes some work. There may be moments of trial and error. At the end of the day, you’ll be building up brand awareness for your book and for you as an author, and that can provide you with future marketing values you’ll be able to use as well.

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