The knowledge centre
for serious authors.

Paid tools are useful, but you can build a strong keyword list with nothing but a browser and some patience.

1. Type your genre into the Amazon search bar and write down every autocomplete suggestion.
2. Do the same with your main theme, your setting, and your protagonist type.
3. Visit the pages of ten books similar to yours and note the phrases used in their subtitles.
4. Group the results into themes and remove anything that describes a different genre.
5. Keep the phrases that sound like something a reader would actually type, not something an author would write.
6. Revisit this list every quarter, since search behaviour shifts over time.

A launch plan is not a to-do list. It is a sequence, where each phase makes the next one easier.

1. Days ninety to sixty: finalise your cover, description, and categories. Nothing else matters until these are locked.
2. Days sixty to thirty: recruit early readers and begin respectful ARC outreach.
3. Days thirty to seven: publish teaser content, confirm your promotional partners, and prepare your launch week captions.
4. Launch week: focus on starting conversations rather than posting links. Ask questions. Share the story behind the book.
5. Days seven to thirty: collect and respond to reviews, run a small paid test, and track which channels actually drove sales.
6. Day thirty: review the data, write down what worked, and keep the top two channels running.

Early reviews matter, but not at the cost of your reputation or your compliance with retailer rules.

1. Identify readers who already review books in your genre, not random contacts.
2. Send a short, personal invitation that makes clear the review is optional.
3. Never offer payment or incentives in exchange for a review.
4. Track who received a copy and follow up once, politely, after two weeks.
5. Accept that some readers will not review, and that is fine.
6. Keep a record of your outreach so you can improve the next campaign.

A+ Content turns a plain product page into a brand experience. It is available to most authors through Author Central and KDP.

1. Decide on the three questions your modules will answer for the reader.
2. Sketch the layout on paper before opening the builder.
3. Prepare images at the recommended dimensions so nothing gets cropped awkwardly.
4. Write short supporting copy for each module. Two sentences is usually enough.
5. Preview the modules on mobile before publishing. Most readers will see them there.
6. Review performance after thirty days and swap out the weakest module.

Most authors measure the wrong things. Sales are an outcome, not a signal you can act on day to day.

1. Pick three numbers to track weekly: page visits, conversion rate, and mailing list growth.
2. Record them in the same place every week so you can see trends.
3. Change one thing at a time and wait at least two weeks before judging it.
4. Ignore vanity metrics that do not connect to a reader taking an action.
5. Review the data monthly and cut the activity with the weakest return.
6. Double down on the single channel that is already producing results.