How a Newly Published Crafts Book Becomes a #1 New Release in 6 Days
Imagine how you would feel if your newly published crafts book became a #1 New Release on Amazon within a week of going live, before it got any reviews?
When it happened to my new book this week (the book with the yellow cover below), I was over-the-moon excited.
But fair disclosure: I expected it.
In fact, I had a plan and a system for the book to hit #1.
There are several moving parts to publishing your crafts book on Amazon, but today's tip is about the fastest way to earn that #1 New Release badge and why it matters, despite comments that bestseller rank doesn't mean anything on Amazon.
Hitting #1 does make a difference and it has nothing to do with ego or bragging rights. It's called social proof.
When shopping online, which products are you most likely to buy? For most of us, it's the top sellers, because so many others have already bought, we imagine the bestseller is also the best product.
How my book got to the top of New Releases within a week of going live.
Whenever I write a book, one of the early tasks is to make a list of relevant book categories on Amazon.
Amazon allows you two categories at set-up time. Many authors choose their two and let it go at that.
But you can ask for 8 more categories (if they are relevant) and within a day or two, Voila! your book is in 10 categories!
Want to show up in even more categories? You can ask for 8 additional categories for each different format. In other words: 8 more for your Kindle edition, 8 more for your paperback, and 8 more for your audiobook. Just make sure your categories are relevant!
When you pick categories with low competition, it only takes a couple of sales to get your book to show the #1 New Release badge. Note that Amazon refreshes its algorithm every hour so you might be #2 in a category at 10am and by noon, your book might show up as #1 or vice versa.
Here are the main categories I considered for: Teen's Guide to Making and Selling Upcycled Arts and Crafts. ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732026467)
Crafts
Teens and Young Adults
Recycling
Environment
Parenting Teenagers
Body, Mind & Spirit for Young Adults
The thing is, even though those broad categories are relevant, they are also highly competitive.
My goal was to get the book into 8 subcategories that were relevant and with low-competition.
I used 2 tools to speed the discovery process. The first is a free tool at: https://www.bklnk.com/categories_2022.php Type in the ISBN or ASIN of any book similar to yours and you'll get a list of all that book's categories.
The second tool is Publisher Rocket, (paid software $97) for self-publishers including a category discovery tool. But unlike the BKLNK.com tool, Publisher Rocket tells you how many sales you need to make to hit #1 bestseller in a given category. A very cool feature! By the way: I am not an affiliate for Publisher Rocket, I just like it.
The category discovery tool pulled up, Books ‹ Teens ‹ Art, Music & Photography < Sculpture and also revealed that my book would only need to make around 3 sales a month to be #1.
I found other relevant subcategories, to add to my list. When I had enough to choose from, I narrowed down the choices to 8 subcategories. I then sent an email request through the Amazon KDP help desk.
In case you also have a book and you want to add 8 more categories, here are the steps:
Click on the Help option from anywhere in your KDP account:
On the left menu bar, scroll to the bottom and click on "Contact Us"
Again on the left menu bar, select the top option: "Amazon Store & Product Detail Page."
Then select “Update Amazon Categories”
Then in the box, you'll see instruction for requesting your 8 additional categories:
Usually, I get an email from Amazon support by the next day or two, letting me know that my book will now show up in those categories.
If I've done my homework, I can earn that coveted #1 badge. That is:
written a good book
chosen low-competition categories
dressed it up in a book cover that stops the scroll
added a description that poses a problem/solution path with my book being the solution.
Ideally, you also have a mailing list and you announce the book to your list and ask readers to leave reviews. Just as with your handmade products, positive reviews are the secret sauce to making sales!
Even without reviews, your book may sell, though at a slower pace. I get the ball rolling by running low-bid Amazon ads. Ad performance improves as book buyers leave positive reviews.
If you have chosen your low-competing categories like I described above, you will find yourself with a #1 New Release badge which, when you run ads to your book, helps convert shoppers into readers and loyal fans.
There you have it -- the fastest path to becoming a bestselling author!
The above is a small sample of what you will achieve from taking the FREE Masterclass on Self-Publishing Craft Books coming in early March. Keep your eyes open for more details coming soon.
Have a great week,
James
PS: the FREE Masterclass on Self-Publishing Crafts Books airs in early March. A sign-up link will be available next week.