Many new authors think that once their book is live on Amazon, they can sit back and watch the coffers fill. 

Not true. 

Publishing on Amazon or other platforms simply hosts your book. While Amazon has a search function, your book will only appear if it’s well set up and researched on the backend. Search for: romance, thriller, or fantasy. 

However, think about this: 

Currently, Amazon’s catalogue in the USA comprises approximately 40 million physical and digital books. Of that, an estimated 55% is fiction, and the balance is non-fiction. These are estimates, as Amazon does not release these figures publicly. 

With that in mind, the chances of your book simply appearing in a search are slim, and the factors that help your book appear on the first page of a search are a mix of: 

• Keywords  

• Relevance  

• Sales activity  

• Reviews  

• Click-through rate  

• Category ranking  

• Metadata optimisation  

There are many ways to help your book gain attention once it is live on Amazon and other publishing platforms. 

 

Here are a few: 

1. Optimise Your Title and Subtitle 

Maximise the use of keywords, outcomes, and niche topics in both your title and subtitle. This helps your book appear in searches. 

 

2. Research Those Keywords and Phrases

In the backend of your Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) profile, you will need to add keywords for each book you publish. These help customers find your book, and there are, of course, popular search terms used for different genres. 

It is important to note that these trends change frequently. Therefore, authors should revisit their KDP profiles annually or utilise our services to optimise them as needed. 

 

3. Choose the Correct Amazon Categories

Choosing categories that are both niche and highly relevant to your book can really help it stand out. 

There is even a way to identify underpopulated categories, giving your book a better chance of appearing more frequently. 

 

4. Books Are Literally Judged by Their Cover

A professionally designed book cover is one of the top marketing tips we can give. While AI can generate a book cover, it often falls short when handling the various upload versions required by Amazon and other platforms, as well as print-ready formatting, which can create additional headaches. 

Get a real human designer to research your genre, understand what readers in that category are drawn to, and design with that in mind. 

 

5. Update Your Author Profile on Amazon

Often, a reader may come across your book or have it recommended to them, but they still want to know more about the author, especially with non-fiction books. 

An updated, story-driven author profile is important. 

Think of your AmaThink of your Amazon Author Profile as your publishing LinkedIn profile.ls and Promotions. 

 

Think about: 

• Launch campaigns  

• Free promotions  

• Paid advertising campaigns  

• Expanded distribution options  

These can all help your book gain traction. 

 

7. Social Media, Websites, and Promotions

While there is much beyond Amazon, set up a professional website and social media accounts, even if simple. For authors, depending on your genre, are: 

Non-Fiction 

• LinkedIn  

• META  

• TikTok  

• X  

Fiction 

• META  

• TikTok  

There are some caveats, though, such as understanding exactly what your non-fiction book is about and who the target audience is. 

In addition, consider: 

• Podcasts — your own or appearing as a guest on others  

• Speaking engagements at conferences, webinars, panels, workshops, and libraries  

• Media features in online magazines, business publications, and niche industry platforms  

• Building up a mailing list and sending regular updates  

• Using video content — even voiceover videos, if you do not want to appear on camera.  

• Hosting a book launch, either online or in person  

If in person, remember it does not have to be at a bookstore like Exclusive Books. You can host it at home, at a coffee shop, or at a restaurant. 

Platforms such as Goodreads and BookBub are also excellent for marketing and discoverability, as many readers use them for recommendations. 

 

8. Reviews

This is GOLD and should never be ignored. 

Ideally, get your book into the hands of as many readers as possible and encourage them to leave reviews on Amazon. 

You can also participate in ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) programmes, where you send out either an almost-complete manuscript or an early version of your book to readers who review books professionally or recreationally. 

These readers then leave genuine reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and similar platforms. 

For non-fiction, your ARC reader list could target thought leaders or subject experts in your field, while fiction authors should focus on readers and reviewers active in their book’s genre. 

Those reviews help Amazon’s algorithm and increase your book’s visibility. 

 

As you can see, simply uploading your book to Amazon is only one part of your incredible author journey. 

Reach out to The Word Architect today to discover how our self-publishing services can elevate your author journey. Take the next step—contact us now for personalised guidance and support.