This document provides 21 ideas for becoming a bestselling author on Amazon, including proofreading the book, including a sample, creating a marketing plan, educating readers about Kindle, contacting reviewers, submitting to review sites, waiting for initial reviews before announcing, learning about Amazon link permissions, signing up for the Associates program, creating a hashtag, holding a contest, creating videos for YouTube and Google Hangouts, following blogs, targeting the local market, starting a Goodreads group, making a Facebook page, keeping the book updated, avoiding promotional stickers, making a SlideShare presentation, and learning from mistakes.

1. 21 Ideas to
Become a
Bestselling
Author on
Amazon

2. Idea #1
• Proofread your book – before & after formatting
 Check for:
– spelling mistakes
– syntax & grammar
– Inconsistencies
– Formatting
– flow & image placement

3. Idea #2
• Include a ‘Look Inside’ sample

4. Idea #3
• Create a marketing plan to cover Pre-launch, Launch & Post-
launch

5. Idea #4
• Educate your audience about Kindle’s Cloud Reader

6. Idea #5
• Research & contact top Amazon reviewers
– Contact those who offer honest & point-specific reviews
– Give them one compelling reason why they should review your book
– Keep your list for the next time you publish

7. Idea #6
• Submit your book to review sites

8. Idea #7
• Wait to announce until you have 6 reviews

9. Idea #8
• Familiarize yourself with Amazon link permissions
– This allows you to use the Amazon trademarks & logo on your own website
– Follow the rules for tagging & framing if your book is on Kindle

10. Idea #9
• Sign up for the Amazon Associates program & provide affiliate
links to your book

11. Idea #10
• Create a hashtag for your
book & launch
– Register it with Hashtags.org
– Have a Twitter party!

12. Idea #11
• Create a contest
– Base it on others sharing your book in some way
– Social media shares, like Facebook page
– Just be sure to follow all the platform & local laws
– Offer something people really want as a prize

13. Idea #12
• Create a YouTube video
– Talk about your book on camera
– Create a presentation, soundtrack and/or images that boost your presentation
– Make it short & impactful
– Upload slides to SlideShare.com

14. Idea #13
• Create a Google Hangout on air
– Live streaming video recorded to YouTube
– Talk about the topic of your book
– Invite others who understand or know about that topic as guests to the hangout
– Include a link to your book in the YouTube recording description and at the end of
the hangout

15. Idea #14
• Follow digital authority blogs & directories

16. Idea #15
• Don’t neglect your local market
– Send out press releases
– Send a review copy to local arts & entertainment editors
– Send review copy to local librarian & others in your niche
– Offer a book signing for independent book store
– Offer a niche-related free workshop

17. Idea #16
• Start a genre group on Goodreads

18. Idea #17
• Create a Facebook Author Page
– Build buzz
– Use 3rd party apps to lead to free chapters, contests & sign ups
– Answer questions about becoming an author
– Answer questions about your niche topic
– Acknowledge & thank people for their interactions
– Check in daily

19. Idea #18
• Keep your book updated
– Builds credibility & trust
– Especially if you’re in the technology niche
– Update as many times as necessary so long as the book keeps selling

20. Idea #19
• Don’t use promotional stickers on your book covers

21. Idea #20
• Upload a presentation to SlideShare
– Build slideshow around your best keywords
– Include quotes & images from the book
– Always keep the slides on topic, not about your book directly
– Finish with an invitation to view your book with Amazon link

22. Idea #21
• Learn from your mistakes

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