As an author, it can be disheartening when your book isn’t selling as well as you’d hoped. But don’t worry, you’re not alone, and there are plenty of strategies you can implement to turn things around. Here are some “relatively” easy, practical and actionable steps that can help boost your book sales and get your work into the hands of more readers.
Rewrite Your Amazon Book Description
Your book description is your pitch to potential readers. If it’s not compelling, readers might move on without giving your book a chance. Take some time to craft a captivating description that hooks readers from the first sentence. Focus on the main conflict, the stakes, and what makes your book unique. Keep it concise, engaging, and free of spoilers. Remember, this is your chance to sell your story!
Redo Your Book Cover
People really DO judge books by their covers, especially in the digital age. If your cover isn’t eye-catching or doesn’t properly represent your genre, it might be time for a redesign. Look at bestsellers in your category for inspiration. Investing in a professional cover designer can make a significant difference in attracting readers.
I’ve seen hundreds of covers that just don’t work. One of the biggest problems I see daily, in my promotion work is the title ‘s color, font or size. YOU know what the title of your book is, so you don’t have to “read it,” the problem is that anyone looking at the book DOES have to read it … and if they can’t, you’ve just lost a sale.
I can’t think of ONE good reason to use one of Amazon’s Generic book covers. It could be the kiss of death for your book. Read this: GENERIC BOOK COVERS Don’t Even Think About It
Change Your Book Categories
Choosing the right categories on Amazon can dramatically affect your book’s visibility. If your book isn’t selling, try changing its categories. Research other books similar to yours and see which categories they’re listed under. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the right fit that helps your book get noticed.
Amazon shows three categories, but accepts up to SEVEN categories for each book. What does Amazon do with the “unseen” categories? They use it to show YOUR book when visitors search for specific keywords or requests. By adding all 7 categories (you have to contact the help desk) you will be exposing your book to a lot more potential buyers.
Many of the thousands of available categories are hidden away. This is where Publisher Rocket or KDSPY really pays off.
Use New Keywords in Your Description
Keywords are crucial for helping readers find your book. If you haven’t already, do some keyword research to find terms that potential readers are searching for. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your book description and metadata. Tools like Publisher Rocket or KDSPY can be incredibly helpful for this.
Add a BIO if You Don’t Have One. Add to Your BIO if You Already Have One
Your author bio is another opportunity to connect with potential readers. If you don’t have one, create one. If you already have one, consider updating it with more personal details or recent accomplishments. Share your journey, your passions, and what inspired you to write your book. A relatable and engaging bio can help readers feel more connected to you and your work.
If you have a non-fiction book use your bio to sell yourself and your book(s). Does it matter if you don’t have a Ph.D or professional credentials? NO … as long as you spin your personal interest, your passion, and your results into a compelling reason for potential readers to hit the BUY button.
Fiction Books: Write a Short Prequel or Sequel
For fiction authors, writing a short prequel or sequel can be a great way to generate interest in your main book. You can publish it (99cents or at the most $1.99) to generate more income OR use it as a giveaway to build your newsletter subscriber list. Offering readers a taste of your world and characters can entice them to read more.
Your prequel or sequel should be about 1/3 the size of your main book. IF it is a prequel, it should lead directly to your main book. YES a cliffhanger.
Contact Podcasters and Suggest an Interview
Podcasts are a fantastic way to reach new audiences. Research podcasts that align with your book’s genre or themes and reach out to the hosts. Pitch yourself as a guest, suggest interesting topics related to your book. A podcast interview can boost your visibility and introduce your work to potential new readers.
Contact One or Two Authors in the Same Niche and Suggest a Marketing Partnership
Networking with other authors in your niche can be mutually beneficial. Reach out to one or two authors and suggest a marketing partnership. This could involve cross-promoting each other’s books, co-hosting events, or collaborating on a project. Partnering with other authors can expand your reach and introduce your book to their audience.
How to get started: Define a narrow niche for your book. For example, Billionaire Romances, or Dystopian Sci Fi. Find books in your niche and look for other authors writing in that niche. Start looking for contacts . Google their name or their books. Read their book information … they may give website, social media links inside their book. Be sure you have read at least one of their books before contacting them.
When you contact them and suggest a collaboration, give them some suggestions as to how your collaboration might work. One of the easiest ways to collaborate is to exchange Facebook posts, tweets or Instagram posts. If you both have blogs do n Editorial Review exchange.
As an author, your job is to write books. An author’s job ends when your book is written, edited, formatted and published. As a Self-publisher your job is to market and sell your books. This job NEVER ends for the lifetime of your books.
The easy-to-implement steps listed above are your starting point for improving the sales of a book. There is a lot more involved in building a self-publishing empire, and a lot more you can do to sell your books. For example …
ONE of the things you need to steadily work on is building your mailing list. This doesn’t happen overnight so if you aren’t already working on your list .. NOW is a great time to get started!
Have a fabulous day!
Melanie
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