The video discusses a step-by-step method for conducting keyword research on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), aiming to identify profitable keywords within specific niches.
Here’s a summary of the strategies:
The Importance of Keyword Research and Implementation
Many publishers perform keyword research and implementation sub-optimally.
Effective keyword research and its implementation are vital for gaining visibility without needing to publish hundreds of books.
Most important is to publish a book where there is lots of demand.
Or at least some demand but not a lot of competition.
Think of it as a supply-demand mismatch.
Criteria for Keyword Research
Best Seller Rank (BSR)
This indicates the sales performance of books relative to others on the platform.
A lower BSR (closer to 1) signifies higher sales.
For a keyword to be considered good, it should typically have a BSR under 100,000, with anything closer to 1 being exceptional.
Number of Results
This reflects the competition.
Fewer results mean less competition, making it easier to rank in that keyword niche.
Using Amazon Best Sellers for Research
Navigate to Amazon Best Sellers, specifically the Kindle eBooks section, to understand what’s currently selling.
Identify niches and subcategories that align with your book’s topic or the area you wish to write in.
Use tools like DS Amazon Quick View for quick BSR and competition assessment.
Finding Profitable Niches and Keywords
Look for niches with lower BSRs indicating high sales volume and profitability.
Use tools like KDP Spy to analyze the sales rank, average BSR, monthly revenue, popularity, potential, and competition of books in your selected niche.
Pay attention to the total monthly revenue of top books in a niche and the color indicators in tools (like green for go) to assess the potential of a keyword or niche.
Utilizing Amazon’s Search Bar for Keyword Ideas:
Type relevant topics into Amazon’s search bar to get suggestions.
These suggestions are based on what customers are frequently searching for and can lead to profitable keyword ideas.
For each keyword or phrase, check the number of results (competition) and use KDP Spy or similar tools to analyze the BSR to determine profitability.
Analyzing Individual Keywords
When considering a keyword, assess the number of search results to understand the competition level.
Use keyword analysis tools to look at BSR and other important metrics to determine if the keyword is profitable.
Remember that while higher competition might indicate a profitable niche, it also suggests a harder entry for new books.
Pivoting Away from Keyword Tools
Keyword research tools are okay guides, but we don’t use them much because we find the data often inaccurate and not sourced directly from Amazon.
They argue that these tools offer a one-dimensional view of keywords and can act as a deterrent by making niches seem too competitive.
Understanding Amazon’s Search Results
A significant insight is that the number of search results for a keyword on Amazon may seem intimidating (e.g., showing 20,000 competing books), but it’s vital to understand that not all these books are directly targeting the keyword you’re considering.
The advice is to focus on how you position your book with specific keywords to reduce direct competition significantly.
Determining Main and Subtitle Keywords
The strategy involves writing down all logical variations people might search for within your niche and then manually checking these terms on Amazon to see the average Best Sellers Rank (BSR) of books appearing in search results.
The keywords leading to the best-performing books (in terms of BSR) are considered for the book’s title and subtitle.
The method emphasizes a more manual, hands-on approach to understanding what potential readers are searching for and how they are searching.
Launching and Monitoring the Book
Once the book is published with the chosen keywords, it’s important to monitor its performance, especially how it ranks for the main and subtitle keywords.
Use Amazon’s automatic ad campaigns initially to boost visibility and sales, which in turn helps with organic ranking for the keywords.
Noteworthy Tests and Observations
We once ran an experiment where we used a non-standard approach to keyword placement in a book’s title and subtitle.
We observed that while the book eventually ranked for various keywords, the process was slower.
This test underscores the importance of strategic keyword placement in titles and subtitles for optimal visibility and quicker ranking.
Quality Over Quantity
The overall message is that instead of producing a vast number of books with little success each, it’s more profitable and efficient to focus on fewer, well-positioned books in larger niches.
We want to emphasize the significance of launching quality books in well-researched niches with carefully selected keywords, ensuring that the books serve the demands and interests of potential readers.
Quantity is important too, but focus on a minimum threshold level of quality and learning Amazon KDP well before trying to go heavier on quantity.
Final Tips
The more you simplify your approach and focus on the numbers, the better your chances of success.
Continually adapt and look for less competitive niches or keywords with good sales volume.
Always aim for quality in your content, as this increases the likelihood of success in any selected keyword or niche.
The overall strategy emphasizes the importance of research, understanding market demand, competition levels, and focusing on niches where your books can realistically perform well based on their BSR and the total number of results for given keywords.
This methodical approach is aimed at building a sustainable and profitable business on Amazon KDP.
Related
