More than 16% of retail sales in the United States occur online. Many people do most of their shopping without leaving their homes. This is especially true when the product they are searching for is a new book to read. Amazon is one of the primary venues that readers use to explore and purchase hard copy books.
Just because your book is available on Amazon doesn’t mean readers will find it or buy it. Successful authors understand the importance of promotional campaigns. When it comes to effective marketing on Amazon for books, there are several key issues to remember.
Focus on these issues for effective marketing on Amazon for books
How can you increase the conversion rate when advertising a book for sale on Amazon? The conversion rate is basically the number of people who purchase or download your book divided by the number of people who have visited your book page on Amazon. Multiply that total by 100 and you’ll know your conversion rate. Boost conversions with these effective marketing tools:
- Make sure the content you’re adding to your book page highlights your credibility as an author, as well as your story topic, with a description that immediately captures readers’ attention.
- Choose wisely when uploading an image of your cover design, which should include the title and subtitle, in addition to imagery that clearly reflects the genre and topic of your book.
- If using advertisements, make sure they include a specific all to action and are aimed at your target audience.
- The more reviewers, analysts and readers talking about you and your book on social media, the better; this sends signals to Amazon that proves your book was not written by AI. It also shows consistent external activity, which will increase the chances that your book will be prioritized for Amazon customers.
Remember that you cannot achieve effective marketing on Amazon for books by using a once-and-done approach. Visit, update, adapt, and monitor your retail page often. Clarity and consistency are the keys to success.
Avoid this pitfall
Many authors make the mistake of thinking that promotional gimmicks like giveaways are going to boost their book sales on Amazon. They are mistaken. In fact, giving books away for free is often counterproductive; readers grab the freebie but that merely creates a sudden, singular spike in traffic rather than consistent traffic and sales.
Instead, try offering a discount, one that piques readers’ interest while retaining the integrity and value of your book. This way, they’re still making a purchase, and if they like what they read, they’ll be willing to buy more books in the future.
