Amazon’s Algorithms and Branding

Marketing is a huge part of being published — even for traditionally published authors. So, what are things to avoid, and what are things to lean into?

I share a lot of notes from various panels, but one thing I don’t share is full workshop notes. Panels involve discussions between several speakers and are never the same twice. Workshops often have slides and handouts, and are presented by a solo speaker — and the contents of that talk belong to the speaker. So, while I’m not going to give away all of the tips from these workshops at Imaginarium 2023, I am going to share a few takeaways. These are notes from “Understanding Amazon’s Algorithms” by Chasity Bowlin and Tenita Johnson’s “Brand, Book, and Bestseller.”

1 – Keywords are king

Putting your keywords in your book blurb is the best way for Amazon Algorithms to pick them up (at least this week). See what keywords are popular in your genre and subgenre — and get specific.

These are more important than reviews. And if bad reviews aren’t affecting your sales? Don’t worry about them.

2 – Genre Hopping is Hard

While some writers can make it work, and going genre adjacent can sometimes work, it’s rebuilding your audience each time. Especially when it doesn’t overlap with your earlier works. You can lose readers, or get bad reviews for failing to meet expectations.

3 – Maximize Your Revenue Streams

Leverage what you’re good at and give your audience solutions. For non-fiction writers, you leverage your knowledge, whatever you are the subject matter expert in! For fiction writers, often what you are leveraging is a series of books or shared world. Whether you’re a non-fiction writer of craft books or a fantasy writer, good at world-building? Sell your book. But maybe also give talks and classes on crafting — or world-building.

4 – Narrow Your Appeal

Trying to please everyone ends up with a story that upsets no one but has no passionate supporters. Find your niche and lean into it!

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Obviously, the workshops covered a lot more, in a lot more depth, but that’s not for me to share.