Work beyond the publishing phase on Amazon Kindle
Browse the Internet and you will find the steps to publish an e-book using the Amazon Kindle platform. You have to write something, create a cover and enter all the necessary details in your Amazon account, from availability to price, but the work does not end there.
When it comes to self-publishing on Kindle, there are other important steps you shouldn’t forget. These replace pressing the “Publish” button:
1. Initial promotion of the book
On the Amazon Kindle platform, reviews serve as social proof. These will help legitimize not only your book, but also your identity as an author (in this case, a seller as well). It will be a good idea to send copies of the digital resource to your friends and family. See if you have existing followers and ask them if they are willing to review your new release as well.
If you’re having a hard time finding people willing to give you a review, go to online review forums (there are plenty) and get what you need for free. If there are readers who have already bought your new book, ask them to write a review, but don’t force anyone.
Expect about a quarter of all readers to give you an honest and ethical review. Do not focus on getting 5 stars and nothing less. When it comes to Kindle, having different ratings and reviews will improve your authority.
2. Official launch of the book
Start your Kindle book only after you’ve made multiple revisions. The official launch of the book is the time to really showcase his work and publicize it to reach as many people as possible. Just like any other product launch, you need to make the event engaging, unique, and memorable.
Start by emailing your family and friends with a link to the new eBook. If you have a blog up and running, let your subscribers know. Use your social media accounts to further market the book. Always remember to have a link available that your contacts can easily click to direct them to your Amazon page.
Also take time to advertise in relevant forums. This is your time to keep busy. Spread the word about your book as best you can. If you have a working budget, you can also consider using social media ads and such.
3. Track regular metrics
Once your book is available for everyone to buy, be sure to track your sales metrics. Note how many copies you have sold. Keep an eye on your metrics, especially during the first three months after your eBook launch.
Use a simple spreadsheet to track your progress. On the Amazon Kindle platform, you’ll get access to a KDP report, but it will only show you month-to-date sales. If you need slimmer tracking figures, like daily sales for example, you need to track this yourself.
It’s also a good idea to track readers by location. This information may be useful for future releases; think of it as consumer research of some sort.