Kindle Instant Previews (aka Look Inside)
Kindle Instant Previews allows you to embed full samples of your books directly onto your blog or website. The preview is similar to the Look Inside on your Amazon sales page. Look Inside lets customers preview samples of both kindle and print books before making a purchase.
Not only does the Look Inside Widget add functionality to your blog, it is a great way to sell more books … ON THE SPOT.
The Instant Book Preview Widget In Action:
Take it for a road test and check out these features:
- the option to go full screen
- the sample percentage indicator
- the option to read using a Kindle app.
- click on the widget you can increase and decrease font size
- you can turn pages by hovering your mouse over the widget and using your mouse wheel.
How To Embed An Instant Book Preview:
I’m giving very detailed instructions below. Once you do this one time, it should take less than 45 seconds to embed a widget. It’s easy!
On the Amazon site go to the Kindle version of the book you want to embed.
Click on the embed option. You will find it in the right hand BUY column.
When the widget setup panel pops up, click on Embed.
Copy the <iframe> code.
If you scroll down you will see a panel to add your Amazon associate code, you will also see an options link.
In the options panel you can change the size of the book widget. You can also hide the buy button … though why you would do that I have ZERO ideas … you want to sell your books right?
Now it’s time to add the <iframe> code to your blog.
First find the place you want your widget to be. Create an easy to find “place holder.” I usually add a long string of question marks.
At the very top of the editing panel … change views by clicking on TEXT
Find your place holder … the string of question marks.
Replace the question marks with the iframe widget code.
Almost done … go back up to the top of your editing panel and click on VISUAL.
You will now be able to see your widget in place. Note … since you are still in editing mode, the widget will not actually work. You have to save and PUBLISH your blog post (or page) before you can test it in action.
For more how-to information go to Kindle instant book previews .
Just a NOTE here about grammar. The look inside section of your book MUST be as grammar perfect as you can get it. If potential buyers see grammar mistakes here … they will assume there are grammar errors throughout the book. You WILL lose sales.
Get your grammar under control! Pro Writing Aid’s free editor allows you to check up to 500 words at a go. This is great for testing out the software and checking your first few book chapters … but after that free gets very tedious, just go for the Pro! You simply can’t beat the price!
.
One question people constantly ask me is “what should I put on my blog?“
One of the things I suggest is to highlight or sell other people’s books. For example, if you write mystery books … why not create a blog section with your favorite mystery authors? Feature your favorite books. Add a widget and a review, and make a few cents while you are at it!
Are you channeling buyers away from your own books? Unless you have written hundreds of books, the answer is NO. What else are mystery fans going to read while they wait for your next book? How else are you going to entice readers BACK to your website.
The Competition is going to be there whether you acknowledge it or not. Why not embrace your fellow authors and promote the ones in your niche? Who knows … you may end up collaborating with some of them.
Thanks for this great post. I saw this done on someone’s author site and wondered how they did it. I especially appreciate the detailed instructions since I am very new to all of this.
Thanks Henry. Hopefully I didn’t leave any holes in the instructions. If anyone has any questions, please DO ask! ~Melanie
Hi Melanie. I just did this on my website and it works like a charm. Thanks for the tip. Well done.
So happy it worked for you Michael! IT really IS EASY!
Hi Melanie,
mahoosive thanks for the fabulous advice. I cocked it up a couple of times but finally got there and I’m super pleased to have the new previews on my blog. I will be adding it to my website too.
I’m off to check out all your other nuggets of wisdom.
Thanks
Lisa x;-)
Hi Lisa, Glad to hear you persisted and got it working. Hope you find LOADS of useful nuggets. By the way … I was looking at your very elegant website and saw the news … CONGRATULATIONS on your new book contract!