This document provides 21 ideas for becoming a bestselling author on Amazon, including proofreading the book, including a sample, creating a marketing plan, educating readers about Kindle, contacting reviewers, submitting to review sites, waiting for initial reviews before announcing, learning about Amazon link permissions, signing up for the Associates program, creating a hashtag, holding a contest, creating videos for YouTube and Google Hangouts, following blogs, targeting the local market, starting a Goodreads group, making a Facebook page, keeping the book updated, avoiding promotional stickers, making a SlideShare presentation, and learning from mistakes.
6. Idea #5
• Research & contact top Amazon reviewers
– Contact those who offer honest & point-specific reviews
– Give them one compelling reason why they should review your book
– Keep your list for the next time you publish
9. Idea #8
• Familiarize yourself with Amazon link permissions
– This allows you to use the Amazon trademarks & logo on your own website
– Follow the rules for tagging & framing if your book is on Kindle
10. Idea #9
• Sign up for the Amazon Associates program & provide affiliate
links to your book
11. Idea #10
• Create a hashtag for your
book & launch
– Register it with Hashtags.org
– Have a Twitter party!
12. Idea #11
• Create a contest
– Base it on others sharing your book in some way
– Social media shares, like Facebook page
– Just be sure to follow all the platform & local laws
– Offer something people really want as a prize
13. Idea #12
• Create a YouTube video
– Talk about your book on camera
– Create a presentation, soundtrack and/or images that boost your presentation
– Make it short & impactful
– Upload slides to SlideShare.com
14. Idea #13
• Create a Google Hangout on air
– Live streaming video recorded to YouTube
– Talk about the topic of your book
– Invite others who understand or know about that topic as guests to the hangout
– Include a link to your book in the YouTube recording description and at the end of
the hangout
16. Idea #15
• Don’t neglect your local market
– Send out press releases
– Send a review copy to local arts & entertainment editors
– Send review copy to local librarian & others in your niche
– Offer a book signing for independent book store
– Offer a niche-related free workshop
18. Idea #17
• Create a Facebook Author Page
– Build buzz
– Use 3rd party apps to lead to free chapters, contests & sign ups
– Answer questions about becoming an author
– Answer questions about your niche topic
– Acknowledge & thank people for their interactions
– Check in daily
19. Idea #18
• Keep your book updated
– Builds credibility & trust
– Especially if you’re in the technology niche
– Update as many times as necessary so long as the book keeps selling
21. Idea #20
• Upload a presentation to SlideShare
– Build slideshow around your best keywords
– Include quotes & images from the book
– Always keep the slides on topic, not about your book directly
– Finish with an invitation to view your book with Amazon link