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Becoming an Amazon bestselling author is a dream for many writers, and the good news is that it's an achievable goal with the right strategy and mindset.
The title of "bestseller" carries a lot of weight—it boosts your credibility, enhances your visibility, and opens doors to new opportunities. Whether you're self-published or traditionally published, understanding how Amazon's ranking system works and how to leverage it is key to your success of becoming a bestselling author.
In this blog, I’ll share five essential tips to help you hit that Amazon bestseller list.
It’s actually easier than you think it is (if you have the right tools in your toolbelt) and that’s what I’m giving you here today.
1. Optimize Keywords and Categories
Just like with social media, the foundation of any successful Amazon book launch is selecting the right keywords and categories. Amazon’s search engine heavily relies on keywords to match your book with potential readers. If you use the wrong words, you will attract the wrong reader/client.
When choosing keywords, think about what terms your audience might use to find books like yours.
Sit at your computer, open Google and ask yourself, “What is my audience searching for on Google?” and then type that into the search bar. That’s how keywords are used. People search for words and phrases to find what they want.
For example, if you’re selling a mouse and you use a keyword phrase of “soft gray mouse,” if someone is searching for a soft gray mouse, your mouse is more likely to be found than if you just put the keyword mouse. Narrowing it down helps the search engines find what you’re selling a lot faster.
Did you know that Amazon is the third largest search engine right behind #1 Google and #2 YouTube (which is owned by Google)?
Since it’s a search engine just like Google, you must treat it like a search engine in order to be found more easily.
Use tools like Publisher Rocket to identify high-traffic, low-competition keywords.
When it comes to categories, don’t settle for just the obvious ones. Amazon allows you to list your book in up to ten categories if you request additional ones through Author
Central. The trick is to choose a mix of competitive and niche categories. A narrower, less competitive category gives your book a better shot at ranking as a bestseller.
FUN FACT
There are over 10,000 bestseller lists for Amazon Kindle books. That’s crazy, right? What does this mean? You have 10,000 categories to choose from. Some of those categories have less than 100 books on them. Since a bestseller is any book in the top 100 of a category, if you find those categories that have 100 or less books on them, you’re a shoe-in.
Here’s one caveat: make sure the categories you list your book in match the type of book you’ve written. For example, don’t put a personal development book in the basket weaving category just because you want to become a bestseller. If your personal development book talks about how basket weaving changed your life, there you go. If not, I recommend you not put your book in that category. It says a lot about your character if you try to cheat the system just to become a bestseller.
NOTE: you do have to sell at least one book to hit the bestseller rankings. After all, it’s called the best”SELLER” list for a reason. Everyone on the list sold something.
Okay! Now let’s get into the meat of it.
Tips for choosing keywords and categories:
Use long-tail keywords for better discoverability.
Research competitors in your genre.
Check the bestseller rank of books in your chosen categories.
Request additional categories from Amazon.
Monitor and adjust keywords post-launch.
2. Leverage Pre-Launch Strategies
A strong pre-launch can make or break your book’s chances of hitting the bestseller list. Building buzz before your book goes live is essential to create momentum and ensure those all-important early sales.
Start by rallying a launch team made up of loyal fans, friends, and family. These are the people who will help you spread the word, leave early reviews, and drive those first critical purchases. Utilize email marketing to offer exclusive pre-launch content or early access. Engage with your social media audience by sharing behind-the-scenes insights, cover reveals, and teaser quotes.
Pre-launch strategies that work:
Build a dedicated email list for your book.
Create a buzz-building launch team.
Use social media teasers and cover reveals.
Offer pre-order bonuses or exclusive content (I recommend doing this via a landing page where you can capture people’s email addresses. Then, a day before launch day, remind those on your email list that your book is being launched tomorrow at ____ time and ask them to buy a copy)..
Engage with influencers and bloggers in your genre.
3. Encourage Reviews
Amazon’s algorithm loves reviews, and the more reviews you have, the higher your chances of gaining traction. Positive reviews not only improve your book’s visibility but also build trust with potential buyers. Early reviews, especially verified ones, can significantly influence your book’s ranking and credibility.
To encourage reviews, consider offering free copies to your launch team or loyal followers in exchange for honest reviews. Be sure to include a call-to-action at the end of your book, asking readers to leave a review and another call to action inviting them to grab a free download of something so, again, you can capture their email address. You can also reach out to book bloggers and influencers who might be interested in reviewing your book.
Tips for encouraging reviews:
Offer free advance copies to your launch team.
Reach out to book bloggers in your niche.
Provide easy-to-follow instructions on how to leave a review.
Respond graciously to reviews, even the critical ones.
4. Drive Sales Through Promotions
Sales velocity is a key component in Amazon’s bestseller algorithm. The faster and more consistently your book sells, the more likely it is to climb the ranks. Running targeted promotions during your launch week can give your book the boost it needs.
Consider offering a discounted price or running a Kindle Countdown Deal. Promotions like these can incentivize more readers to buy your book, increasing sales and helping you reach new audiences. You can also cross-promote with other authors or participate in book bundles and giveaways.
One of the reasons I love collaboration books so much is that your Launch Team is built-in because all of the authors in the book promote the book.
Promotional strategies to boost sales:
Run a Kindle Countdown Deal or limited-time promotion.
Offer your book at a discounted price during launch week (if you do this, don’t forget to raise the price on the day you said you would).
Cross-promote with authors in your genre.
Utilize Facebook and Amazon ads to drive traffic.
Join book promotion websites and newsletters.
5. Promote on Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for driving book sales, but it requires a well-thought-out plan. Leading up to your launch, use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to create a consistent stream of content that piques interest in your book. Share personal stories, writing tips, or the inspiration behind your book to engage your audience.
Once your book is live, don’t stop promoting! Encourage your followers to share their thoughts, post pictures with the book and your book’s hashtag, and leave reviews. Social proof is incredibly valuable, and seeing other people excited about your book will encourage more sales.
Social media promotion tips:
Build anticipation with cover reveals and sneak peeks.
Use Instagram Stories to engage followers with behind-the-scenes content.
Host giveaways to drive engagement.
Create shareable posts with memorable quotes from your book.
Run targeted ads on Facebook and Amazon to boost visibility.
Closing the Book on This Topic
Becoming an Amazon bestselling author isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, consistency, and knowing how to work with Amazon’s ranking system. By optimizing your keywords and categories, leveraging a strong pre-launch, encouraging reviews, driving sales through promotions, and using social media to your advantage, you can significantly boost your chances of reaching bestseller status.
Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight, but with these tips, you’re well on your way to becoming the next Amazon bestseller.
For more tips on becoming an Amazon Bestselling Author, download a copy of our full guide “How to Become an Amazon Bestseller – Top Strategies Revealed” here.
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