Imagine that you are an author and you used Amazon KDP for your first self-publishing experience. The keywords are your biggest and smartest tools for success in this journey.
The easiest way to understand what keywords are and how they work in the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is by the example of a fisherman.
- Think of the pool of potential buyers as the ocean on the self-publishing platform.
- The author is the fisherman – the seller.
- The keywords are the hooks with bait that the fisherman lowers into the ocean.
Hence, if the baits (the keywords) are catchy enough, more and more buyers will reach the author’s page and maybe even make some purchases.
We hope that this brief example has cleared the air. Now, let’s discuss the role of these catchwords in Amazon KDP in more detail.
Reflecting on Keyword Strategies for Effective Amazon Advertising
The keywords have several other names, such as buzzwords, catchphrases, tags, and key phrases. However, they all have the same functions.
· They act as a bridge between what users are looking for and the content readily available.
· They are the part of people’s searches that they usually write in the search bar.
· They help you increase the chance of your webpage appearing before the target audience.
· They push away all barriers in between and let the user find you before your competitors.
· Catchwords make sure that the search engine can understand and link your content to the search results. Basically, this is the Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
· They allow your page to rank higher in the SERPs and surely catch the potential user’s eye.
· Lastly, they bring organic traffic to the page.
Now, From the Perspective of a Self-Publishing Author
Imagine that you are an author and you used Amazon self publishing UK for your first self-publishing experience. The keywords are your biggest and smartest tools for success in this journey.
They help you understand the intent behind a user’s search. For instance, if the user is searching for epic fiction or Norse mythology, you know what the audience is looking for. Then, by analyzing these keywords, you can identify the types of content that readers are seeking, only to tailor your content accordingly.
Here’s How You Can Find Your Special Keywords in 4 Steps
So far, we have discussed the manifold benefits of using the right keywords for your Amazon KDP advertising campaign, but finding them as a self-publishing author can feel overwhelming. So, here is a solution: Think of them as the secret ingredient that helps connect your book with the readers who are searching for it. Then, they can be used to increase sales step by step.
1. Start with Your Book’s Core Themes
Before you head straight to identify keywords, pause for a moment and reflect on what your book is truly about. Is it fantasy? Is it a gripping mystery? Is it a romantic comedy or a horror one? Once you know to which genre it belongs, you are halfway there in pinpointing the relevant keywords that your target audience might search for.
2. Analyze Competitor Keywords
Next, look around for books that are similar to yours. Most importantly, the bestsellers. Start by doing your research and making a list, then examine the keywords that they have used in their advertising campaigns. For instance, you can look at their Instagram captions. Alternatively, you can also check their book titles, subtitles, descriptions, and categories on Amazon. If you are still not convinced and want to make additional efforts, you can try effective tools like Publisher Rocket. It gives you valuable insights into the most effective keywords related to your genre.
3. Use Amazon’s Auto-Suggest Feature
The third step is to notice how Amazon suggests searches as you type. For example, you write a comic, and it starts suggesting relevant comic book publishers‘ books to you. This is what you need to focus on because it is an easy way to discover popular keywords. All you have to do is start typing phrases related to your book and pay attention to the auto-suggestions Amazon generates. Since these are based on actual user searches, they can help you refine your keyword strategy.
4. Now, Continue Testing, Monitoring, and Adjusting
Last but not least, once you’ve chosen your keywords, implement them in your ad campaigns, book metadata, and descriptions. Apart from this, ensure you keep an eye on their performance metrics. Such as click-through rates and conversions. They will easily tell you a lot. In the end, alter or switch your keyword strategy whenever needed to maximize the KDP ad’s effectiveness.
The Frequently Asked Questions of a KDP Advertiser
Q. Should I use broad or niche catchwords in my KDP ads?
The broad keywords reach more people but may not always target the right audience. On the flip side, the niche words only attract readers specifically interested in your book topic. Thus, try using an effective combination of both instead of using either.
Q. Do catchwords affect Amazon’s organic book ranking?
Yes, it does leave an impact by categorizing and recommending your book to potential buyers. This means when the user searches for this special word, your script will pop up in front of them as a choice. Therefore, try using high-quality, targeted words for better visibility.
Q. How do I check if my keywords are performing well?
You can try monitoring your Kindle Direct Publishing ad dashboard for impressions, clicks and conversions. However, having high impressions and low clicks may weaken your catchwords. You may also want to use keyword tracking tools to see which words boost sales.
Q. Is it possible for too many words to hurt my campaign?
At times, it is possible that using more than enough words can dilute your budget and reduce ad effectiveness. So, it is better to focus on the most relevant keywords rather than flooding your campaign or including irrelevant ones.
Summarizing the Power of Keywords in KDP Ads
Keywords, or what we call the catchwords, play a huge role in Amazon KDP advertising. They not only help authors reach the right audience, but they also make sure that sales increase.
Hence, it is important to understand that choosing relevant ones only will improve visibility. This happens because when the words are appropriate, they make it easier for potential readers to find your book.
However, make sure that you are not only using broad or niche keywords. A balance is crucially required between both to avoid wasting the marketing funds.
