Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising discussion
Amazon Tips
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How to hit #1 on Amazon...
Correction, I just joined Library Thing... just feeling my way around now.
Hi Shirley!The best place to learn about Amazon Connect is on their website.
Try this link:
amazon connect
You need your publisher or someone else confirm your title. After that, you can post a "blog" which will appear on your book's amazon page.
Let me know if you need help!
Todd A Fonseca, author of The Time Cavern
Carole,My blog has detailed info on tagging, check it out here:
Tagging Instructions!
You can also click the "Submit My Book" tab on the blog if you'd like to join the others on the site.
Let me know if you have questions!
Todd
Mod
One tag for you would be "crime" since you call your book a crime novel.
If you want to be methodical, check out Todd's site, make a note of the tags his followers have chosen, check out how many clicks they have and which ones lead to a community.
Then, check out that community and see how popular it is.
:-)
Thanks guys, I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving here in America and a blessed week any way for every body else!
L,Yup, still accepting submissions on the blog. Most of the comments I moderate so if you do submit I have to approve them just to make sure there isn't too much spam on the site.
Thanks for checking it out!
Todd
Todd, that's great, I really appreciate this tip. I've posted my book and have tagged others' books. Love it. We can all help each other.
Authors: be sure to list your book in yet another location:
http://allthingspondered.com/forums
under the heading "Authors and Books".
-Best to all!
David Snape
To both Todd and Rowena,thank you both for your replies -- yes, I will go into Todd's blog and see what I can learn. When the time comes, (in December)if you are still open for books, Todd, I will be sure to submit my book.
My problem was how did one tag another person's book -- did one have to read it, buy it or review it? How else would you know what was in it to 'tag' it? Hopefully, I shall find my answers in Todd's blog.
Waving back to you Sue --- we'll be newbies together!
Todd,Hey I was wondering, I have posted your blog on a few pages, I was wondering if you have started seeing a different crowd of people yet?
KB
Kristin,David was certainly new having a dental hygiene book!
Todd
Carole,You don't have to buy a book to tag it (though for your tag to appear you must have purchased something from Amazon).
On the blog I include the summary of the books requesting tags so hopefully the authors requested tags are obvious from the blurb (eg, if its a cookbook and they ask for the tag "recipes" I'll post it on the site). However, tags, like "great book" I don't allow because these would only be legitimate for someone who has actually read the book.
Todd
Mod
No need to read, buy, or review (though you are very welcome to do all three not necessarily in that order!)
Trust our word, if we tell you a tag is appropriate then you just click the tags that everyone else has already agreed is an honest description of the book.
is "futuristic", "futuristic romance", "Romance", and a book with a "Happy Ever After" for instance.You don't even have to go to Todd's Tag My Book On Amazon thing. Just visit Amazon, scroll down any book's page for the tags, and in the left hand column of tags, you will see the most popular tags. Click in the box beside them, and if a check mark appears, you have concurred that the top rated tag is a good one.
:-)
Rowena Cherry
"futuristic", "fantasy", "futuristic romance" "space opera"
Mod
Thank you for the reminder!
Others, David's site is really cool. In my opinion, if we all commented on each other's books (I commented on Shirley's) even in a small way it's a case of the appearance of success breeding success.
I joined David's site... it looks interesting. I'm just waiting to have my post approved, but I think I already filled out the profile detail (my memory's terrible at the moment).
Thanks everyone for tagging Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy. Your thoughtfulness has made a big difference in my search engine status.Wishing everyone a most wonderful holiday season.
Dee Marie
Hi! I tried posting a second ago and for some reason, it didn't work. Oh well. Here goes attempt two... :o)I love this tagging idea. Absolutely wonderful! Especially for those of us who are self-published.
With that said, I have a couple of quick questions. Should I submit all 4 of my books or just pick one? Are submissions still being accepted, or have I waited too long?
Thank you for your time and everyone have a lovely day! :o)
~Jaimey Grant
David, Thanks for the opportunity.However......
I may be a fine writer, but I'm a lousy computer guy.I got as far as being notified that I'm registered. I can't seem to find anything else.Where do I go to jot down some info about myself and /or book.etc.How (where) do I avail myself of all the other goodies.Tagging ,getting tagged , adding to a thread, commenting etc.
My left brain is hurting. Thanks.
Joseph Cavano Half-Past Nowhere(CPCC.edu)
Just caught up on all the books & tags :)Rai
If you haven't bought anything on Amazon the tags you have people don't work??
I am by no means an expert on tagging, but here is how it seems to me to work in a marketing sense. So, let's say that I've read Fool Me OnceI liked the book and would like to read something else like it. By going to Amazon and scrolling down the book's page I can see the tags that other people have assigned to the book. By clicking on a tag link I can see other books which had the same element in common. Some of the tags for Fool Me Onceare amnesia, favorite books, hero police or fbi, romance with Christmas setting, mistaken identity, etc. So...by looking at the tags I could find books that were tagged similarly. This is a common way that I look for books, and I would expect that it is a common way that others look for books too.
That said, it makes sense to tag your own books with words that other people would assign to books like yours...so that if someone likes books with fbi agent heroes they would find your book when looking for books with that tag.
Quite simply tags are a way of helping readers to find your book. Tags can be anything that you think would help a reader find the book.
Good gravy! Something, somewhere, somehow clicked, and I went to your blog, Todd and submitted my book. I thought I'd already done that when I joined your discussion group in October, but I guess not! Thanks for everything. I'm just chugging along in slow mode, I guess! :-)Bess McBride
Hi all, wow thanks for adding to the tagging site (I'm out of town until Sunday so it will tag me a few days when I get back to add everyone's books - sorry for the delay...).Also, check out the books from the group that I've reviewed on the blog. All are impressive and worth a look (I've also posted their reviews on amazon, b&n, goodreads, mobileread...)
Have a great turkey day!
Todd
Mod
On David's site (all things pondered?) look for the Authors and Books thread. It's the one with over 30 replies. That's where you, as an author, go to add your book or books as a separate thread/topic for each book.
Best wishes
Rowena Cherry
Mod
Just to expand on your remarks, Amazon has "Communities". If there are several tags for any topic or genre, there will be a community for it. The tagged word becomes a link.
Book pages lead to "Communities" and relevant discussions. The Romance Community is huge. If you ever wondered why Stephanie Meyers's books are in the sidebar of the Romance Community discussion board, it is because her fans are efficient taggers, and she has more tags for "Romance" than anyone else.
I'm moderately high up in the "Futuristic Romance" community (thanks to Todd), although if I received ten more tags of "futuristic romance" for Forced Mate or Insufficient Mating Material or Knight's Fork I might even bump Jayne Castle!
I suspect that having a good number of tags increased your chances that your book will be paired in one of those Amazon "Buy Both for a discount" deals with a best-seller you'd really like to be paired with.
Hi Rowena, I wasn't savvy to the fact that tags also led to communities...how cool. I do enjoy the communities feature on Amazon and have for a long time searched and taken part in discussions on Amazon within communities. I didn't do it through following tags though...I didn't know it was possible. Seems like there is something new and cool at Amazon all the time...though maybe this is not new at all.
Does make sense to tag, tag, tag.
Incidentally, I am adding tags for futuristic romance and other things that look clearly applicable for your books. Sadly I haven't read any of them, but can tag them according to genre by looking at the descriptions, and I will do that.
Thanks for alerting me to the connection between tags and communities. I am currently teaching a workshop on marketing...I definitely see a lesson coming on the importance of tagging.
Mod
If I can help (for attribution) let me know! Meanwhile, If I could only get 7 more "futuristic romance" tags for Forced Mate, my cover would be the icon for the genre.
If you don't subscribe to the free newsletter from penny@amarketingexpert.com, you really should. Her advice is priceless and free.
Thanks for that Rowena. I didn't subscribe to that email, but I do now.
Thanks Rowena, I hadn't subscribed to the newsletter but had listened to the podcast. I've now subscribed to the newsletter too. Thanks.
Mod
You are both very welcome. If I were starting over, with a modest, but uncommitted budget, I'd definitely work with Penny or with S. Aviles or one of the professionals, or even with COS Productions.
Mod
Amazon-Connect ?
http://www.amazon.com/connect
Email for help: connect-help@amazon.com
Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry
Hi Rowena,I just sent you a friend request on Amazon :)
Here is the link to my profile, I always welcome friends there, too!
Rai Aren's Amazon.com profile
Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands
www.secretofthesands.com
Thanks also Rowena for the recommendation for Penny's newsletter, I have also subscribed :)Rai
I think this should be a link to my Amazon profile, if anyone wants to add me as a friend :o)Amazon profile for Gina Collia-Suzuki
Todd and all others who have contributed,I've been lost in this string today - huuuge thank yous. My book Where Hearts Prosper was released today. At least that's what my publisher tells me. In reality the only difference from yesterday to today is that the book is available for sale instead of for pre-sale. I'm feeling a sense of panic that nothing will happen unless I get to work big-time. This string has helped me feel a little less hopeless.
I listed my book on Todd's site (thank you again) and am about half-way through tagging the other books. I wanted to mention that after tagging Todds (he deserves to be first) I started at the bottom and I'm working my way up. I plan to get to them all, so in the end it shouldn't matter, but it's a long list and it feels better giving the newer folks the first shot.
There are so many good suggestions here I'm eager to implement them all, but I guess I'd better pull myself away to start dinner.
Thanks again for all the support, I'm so glad to have found this group!
http://suzannevreese.com
Where Hearts Prosper
Mod
I just went to your Amazon site. You have common tags, but do not seem to have suggested any searches. You need to do that. This is where you start at your tag site, then click a link to suggest a search term.
You then have to write a short essay about why your tag is relevant to your book. Amazon reviews it, and few days later, it appears.
The tags on the Amazon page may not reflect what you have requested. You could add more than you have. How many of your tags link to a "Community"?
Communities are "good". They are the niche market for novels, and it isn't impossible to rise to the top in those searches.
"Romance" as a tag/Community is not going to do you much good. Let's be realistic. You are never going to bump Stephanie Myers, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz etc. Romance is hugely populated! You will probably get 12 tags from Todd's group, tops.
That's why Todd's tip about "memoir" is so insightful.
Thank you for tagging
also
and
when you come to them.They are doing quite well in the "futuristic romance" niche, thanks to what I've learned from Todd.
Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry
Wow thanks Rowena - I was just trying to figure out the suggested searches thing. So much to learn...! I'm afraid I'm drawing a blank on Todd's tip about 'memoir'. I'm sure I read it, or was supposed to read it, but I'm afraid I'll need to ask for more direction. Thanks again!
Hi Gina - I am happy to have you as a friend now on Amazon!Hello Suzanne - congratulations on your book's release - very exciting. I wish you great success with it, I know how hard it is just to get to this point :)
Rai
Hi peoples, I'm trying to catch up as I have been away, hubby had a big opp in another state, we just got back. I love this group, so many great tips. Keep them coming, they are very much appreciated. Blessings and hugs to all, CJ
Mod
Go back to the beginning of the discussion to Todd's posting. He included a link to his Tag You're It site (not on GoodReads). Follow Todd's links and then directions.
:-)
Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry
Hello everyone!I just completed the tagging with Amazon and I hope it works!
But just in case it didn't feel free to visit my website www.mgmarsh.com to learn more about my murder mystery novel!
The tagging only works if you've actually bought a book from Amazon, so even if you tag books like a mad thing those tags won't register if you've never bought anything. I just wanted to point that out because I can't remember for the life of me if it's already been mentioned.
Rowena,You are so helpful - thank you. I'm just crushed that you don't think I can beat out Nora and Stephenie in romance ;), but I think I have a good chance in the family relationships category, so hopefully I didn't mess things up too badly.
Gina - thanks for mentioning the purchase thing. I voted with my original amazon registration, but then I made a new one before signing up for Amazon Connect, (they warned me that all my past purchases and comments would be visible, and I decided to play it safe and start from scratch - not that I think I've done anything to worry about, but you never know. I have a long history with Amazon and a short memory.) Anyway, the check marks under that new registration just wouldn't stay! Dang, I guess I need to buy something. That is such a hardship.
In case anyone didn't know, it's also necessary to make a purchase before reviewing anything on Amazon. Just learned that one too.
Mod
One purchase seems to go a long way with Amazon, though. If your books are going to be sold overseas, it makes sense to use an amazon overseas branch to purchase and ship books directly to the overseas reviewers. Then, you can tag abroad and add reviews, etc.
Don't forget that you can add photos (customer images) and also neat little notes giving secret insights into your cover or award icons or whatever you want to upload.
Talking of buying books, someone told me that authors should buy a copy of their own books every few months from Barnes and Noble online in order to keep the book "listed" on the B&N online site. I don't know if this is true, but don't forget that Amazon isn't the only online merchant worth supporting.
B&N has a book club and forums, too!
Rowena Cherry
futuristic romance
Forced Mate Insufficient Mating Material Knight's Fork
Suzanne,Welcome aboard. I saw your post on the blog and will add soon (spent a couple hours last night updating but didn't get to yours yet).
Thanks also to those who have purchased The Time Cavern. I've had very nice sales the last month and I appreciate the support.
Shameless plug: Still time to buy a copy to give out for the holidays! (wink).
"[The Time Cavern:] is an intelligent youth literature combination of adventure, fantasy and science" -- Aileen Cho, Associate Editor, McGraw-Hill
This is so cool. On the Amazon site for The Secret Life of Bees (one of my favorite books) there are only two tags - me and my book. I have no idea how helpful that will be, but it can't hurt. That's thanks to the reverse tag area on the website. I also have five great books show up on my site saying someone linked my book to those. Again, don't know what it'll do in terms of sales, but it's neat. Thanks again Todd!
Hey, guys & gals. I'm new on this discussion group so it may take me a while to catch up. From what I've been able to read so far, it's great info.I'm in the middle of edits for my book 2 of The Turquoise Legacy, Flames on The Sky. Book 1 is out in May from The Wild Rose Press. Check out my books and trailers on my website at http://www.lindalaroque.com/
I'm really interested in this Amazon tag thing and all your other ideas. Hopefully I'll catch up soon.
Linda
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You're not the only one. I have been fascinated to read about this 'tagging.' I have no idea how it works. I understand that you give your book key words -- but when people say they 'tag' others -- just what do they do? My crime novel is coming out next month and will be available on Amazon. So, I feel I should be learning all I can before that date. If you come to grips with what we should be doing, I'd love to hear from you.