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I used HISTORICAL FANTASY as the genre for DEATH IN THE HOUSE OF LIFE.
Want to know how many other historical fantasies I am competing against like that?
Look in the upper left hand corner. You will see the answer: 11,210!!!
I am competing with two many other historical fantasies.
I need to show up on the first page or two of a search.
What to do?
Look in the left column and find TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE (274!)
Now, I will stand out and it is still a popular genre.
Remember THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE or OUTLANDER?
Guess what KEYWORD goes in my category section after I post this blog?
DARK FANTASY is a popular genre,
so I type in HISTORICAL DARK FANTASY and look how many I will compete with:
Hit the left cursor over the above image, look in the upper left hand corner,
and you will see the answer: 882!
And what is the #1 book ranging at?
Do the left cursor move again, look at the very bottom left,
and you will see: #829,074!
And what is DEATH IN THE HOUSE OF LIFE at?
Do the left cursor pivot and go the bottom left again:
#381,843 ...
yes, I know: terrible numbers,
but much less than the #1 DARK FANTASY.
It tells me that I can compete against the book.
Guess what KEYWORD I am going to put in my category section next?
Oh, and if you got anything useful from this post and want to make my day,
purchase DEATH IN THE HOUSE OF LIFE or its sequel THE STARS BLEED AT MIDNIGHT.
If you want to make little Hibbs' week,
gamble 99 cents on HIBBS, THE CUB WITH NO CLUE!
No hard sell ... just saying is all.
:-)
I've got to get back to Hibbs! I started his story before Christmas but the holidays messed up everything for me. And as soon as I'm finished I'll give it the great review it deserves.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for these helpful facts about keywords and categories on Amazon. I've got to fix my Amazon listing with this.
Yeah, if i had a book in this genre it would be so much worse than your's. At least your several thousand followers to purchase all your novels. Quite a few publishers I've been researching want an automatic fan-base from social media.
ReplyDeleteAMAZON always suggests I buy all your books!
ReplyDeleteI never looked at how to search for a book before, I usually know what I want when I get there. It's kinda like going to the store to get milk, I go in I come out with milk. Although my wife will call from time to time to get other things.
Helena:
ReplyDeleteThese Keyword tweaks can't hurt.:-) Hibbs is patient -- being patient is second cousin to doing nothing, and Hibbs loves doing nothing!
I pray this boosts your sales this new year!
Donna:
Several thousand followers? :-) You must be thinking of Alex!
I wish I had an automatic fan base, but I will settle for a few good friends like you.
David:
They do? Bless Amazon's silicon little heart! :-)
These keyword tweaks also get you into the column of "Those Who Bought This Have Also Bought the Following." Not a bad line-up to be in, right?
Thanks for visiting and chatting. I've missed you!
I shop like David does.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what keywords my publisher uses for my books or where they fall in searches.
Alex:
ReplyDeleteBasically, this is for self-publishers. With the reach of your blog, you really do not need tweaks. You have an army of ninjas!! :-)
The keyword tweaks help place your book alongside other popular ones with similar keywords. Nice to hang out with best-selling company, don't you know -- as the ghost of Mark Twain just told me! :-)
This was interesting, I had no idea amazon could do all that. And such good advice for authors. I loved all three of these books and recommend them to anyone who may read this.
ReplyDeleteHi Roland .. the Amazon thing is interesting isn't it .. and I now don't wonder about too much .. it's all algorithm driven around my hits .. I just try to hit sensible things! Now I'm bombed with clothes .. I guess they'll get bored with that now - as I won't be buying any for a while! Cheers oh yes and I get nudged about your books .. but I think I've got them all ..
ReplyDeleteCheers .. and I'd better check this week .. Hilary