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From your point of view, what's the formula for a Kindle bestseller?

by ckbank
12 replies
What do YOU think are the elements that create a bestseller on Kindle? Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't fiction generally sell a lot more?
#bestseller #formula #kindle #point #view
  • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
    Originally Posted by ckbank View Post

    What do YOU think are the elements that create a bestseller on Kindle? Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't fiction generally sell a lot more?
    Fiction is a very good seller and, depending on genre vs some non-fiction topics, may be more evergreen...

    There are a number of big selling authors who have outlined their methods... both in blogs and in discussions over at Writers Cafe

    Writers' Cafe

    Here are a few threads to get you started:

    Milestone: 2 Years of Writing, 200,000 books sold + a baby

    Hugh Howey and Wool: How the self-pubbed sci-fi writer relates to fans. - Slate Magazine

    The February Sales Thread - Check out RobertJCrane's posts for some serious inspiration

    RobertJCrane QUOTE - I'll start with this - last February I sold 8 books and made $10.89. Yep. Twelve short months ago.

    This month I sold 9,494 books and made roughly $29,500.

    Imagine where you could be twelve months hence.

    END QUOTE

    Here is an interview that has a LOT of valuable info

    SPP 032 – How to Sell a Metric Crap-Ton of Books, with CJ Lyons

    There are several common practices...

    Put out the best writing you can, and improve as you go.

    Write multiple books for the same readership. They can be series or not...

    Put your focus on writing new stuff, rather than on promoting or marketing... (That said, CJ Lyons is a bada** marketer ;-) )

    Build a body of work and create your author brand.

    HTH,
    Tink

    PS - If you go over and spend time at WC, be aware that the WF has a bad reputation over there, so read and watch before signing up to post...
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    • Profile picture of the author playerrich33
      Great stuff. I am sorry that I have not run into you sooner. I have been writing on Amazon Kindle for 6 months now. I also have 4 books on ACX. At present I have one I am trying to get into Kindle Singles. I have sent you a PM. Keep writing everyone.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dana Forsythe
        Oh boy, I'm afraid that there is no simple answer to that! :-)

        I use many methods that collectively work. I do tend to sell more fiction than non-fiction, however they are at lower prices. With either category, the key is marketing. Unfortunately amazon has become saturated and it is no longer as simple as just posting a book and forgetting about it. Only established authors can do that.

        Do press releases, twitter posts, and things like that. A great great great resource is fiverr.com! I use them constantly for book promotions!
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    OK so, here is the main recipe.

    First, you need to get big name bloggers to give you some reviews. Well, their time is valuable so that will cost you. If the big name ignore you. Hey, go after middle tier bloggers that still get some traffic 1000 uniques or more. Mostly, this biased propaganda will create a lot of buzz on opening day - like a movie. A poor opening day and your book is toast, so make sure to do a lot of promos.

    Big name bloggers can help you. It is your job to dine and wine em. These bloggers get advanced copies. They do not pay. Yeah, you are the one who pays. HARD WORK = SUCCESS!

    Well, on opening day get at least 20 of your friends to buy your book and that should be enough if your niche is narrow. The key is to be top ten in your genre. People will begin to see you. Sales will start to catch fire now.

    If all goes well, your book will be placed at the top in the HOT NEW RELEASES and then sales will hopefully zoom. Please remember that amazon uses many metrics:
    1. Sales
    2. Reviews
    3. NEWness
    Look at the last one. It is very important to you. Would you buy an SEO e-book that was published nine years ago? I do not think so. Content must be fresh to rank high on HOT NEW RELEASES. Hey, that is what is important to amazon. Books are ranked on newness.

    Therefore it is important to sell a lot in the first few days and to build up an impressive image. That will determine who makes it into the HOT NEW RELEASES.

    Let us imagine that you are in. Here is the important part that you need to focus on. The image size is 61 X 81. Oh wow, that is a tiny icon. Most images look fine in full size. However, in 61 X 81 they look like crap.

    That tiny icon is what will make or break you. People do judge a book buy its cover. Make sure it is just absolutely amazing!
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  • Profile picture of the author LexiB
    There's some good advice here already listed but I'm just curious why people do just do Kindle books? Is the strategy to just put as much content up as quickly as possible to see if something sticks? I don't know anything about it.

    I'm asking because paperbacks are so much easier to get value out of (for the writer). And they are much easier to promote.
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    • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
      Originally Posted by LexiB View Post

      There's some good advice here already listed but I'm just curious why people do just do Kindle books? Is the strategy to just put as much content up as quickly as possible to see if something sticks? I don't know anything about it.

      I'm asking because paperbacks are so much easier to get value out of (for the writer). And they are much easier to promote.
      I don't, but the question specifically asked about Kindle ;-)

      My answer certainly can and should be applied to other platforms
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    • Profile picture of the author ckbank
      Originally Posted by LexiB View Post

      There's some good advice here already listed but I'm just curious why people do just do Kindle books? Is the strategy to just put as much content up as quickly as possible to see if something sticks? I don't know anything about it.

      I'm asking because paperbacks are so much easier to get value out of (for the writer). And they are much easier to promote.
      LexiB, thank you for mentioning paperbacks. I just formatted my question in this way, because lately I've been reading how people are making great money on Kindle and how the barriers for entry are so low. And I didn't think of paperbacks, because of the changing industry. I mean people are even talking about not having bookstores in the near future. I know Barnes and Noble is going to close many of it's stores.

      Also, do you believe self-publishing brands an individual as a lower quality author? I know there are bestselling self-publishers, but even out of all the self-publishing bestselling authors, I've only heard of a few being offered book deals and even they haven't been able to become household names.
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      Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.
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      • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
        Originally Posted by ckbank View Post


        Also, do you believe self-publishing brands an individual as a lower quality author? I know there are bestselling self-publishers, but even out of all the self-publishing bestselling authors, I've only heard of a few being offered book deals and even they haven't been able to become household names.

        Not any more. Things have changed dramatically in the last 18 months.

        I would advise anyone getting a Legacy publisher offer to have the contract looked over by the appropriate flavor of lawyer. The terms are getting worse and worse...

        We are rapidly reaching the point where being Legacy published may be an expensive vanity and cost the indie publisher thousands of dollars... if not more.
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        • Profile picture of the author ckbank
          Originally Posted by TinkBD View Post

          Not any more. Things have changed dramatically in the last 18 months.

          I would advise anyone getting a Legacy publisher offer to have the contract looked over by the appropriate flavor of lawyer. The terms are getting worse and worse...

          We are rapidly reaching the point where being Legacy published may be an expensive vanity and cost the indie publisher thousands of dollars... if not more.
          Thank you TinkBD. I love your freebies. One last question. :p How does one find a decent editor?
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          Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.
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          • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
            Originally Posted by ckbank View Post

            Thank you TinkBD. I love your freebies. One last question. :p How does one find a decent editor?
            Here is an answer for fiction ;-)

            First thing, decide what kind of editor you need/want...

            NetRead: How To: Editors: Types of Book Editors

            Skip over acquisitions editor LOL

            These days, friends don't let friends sign publishing contracts... at least, not without a good lawyer and a strong dose of reality!

            As an author/indie publisher, you do these yourself:

            Project Editor

            Schedules all aspects of the editorial process, which can include hiring the editorial team
            Responsible for setting and maintaining editorial standards
            Insures communication between members of the editorial team, including the designer


            Production Editor

            Responsible for the entire production process, including scheduling and tracking
            Responsible for hiring a designer and acquiring estimates from printers
            Assures that books are well printed and delivered


            These below are all types that you may or may not decide to use.

            Developmental Editor

            Collaborates with the author from an early stage to develop a publishable work
            Work can include asking the author for additional content, restructuring and rewriting passages in accordance with a particular format or style, and/or excising content that does not fit a book's focus
            Establishes a skeletal style sheet with sample pages to be used by copyeditor

            Copyeditor

            Corrects errors in grammar, usage, and consistency
            Queries the author with questions about conflicting statements or facts and incorporates the changes

            Proofreader

            Scours the typeset manuscript for typos and other errors

            My recommendation, evaluate your weaknesses and hire editors to help with those specific issues...

            As more $$ come in, consider investing in additional editors to hep you develop...

            I would start my search with word of mouth recommendations... pricing can vary dramatically.

            AND... be sure that you factor turn around time into your production schedule
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            • Profile picture of the author ckbank
              Originally Posted by TinkBD View Post

              Here is an answer for fiction ;-)

              First thing, decide what kind of editor you need/want...

              NetRead: How To: Editors: Types of Book Editors

              Skip over acquisitions editor LOL

              These days, friends don't let friends sign publishing contracts... at least, not without a good lawyer and a strong dose of reality!

              As an author/indie publisher, you do these yourself:

              Project Editor

              Schedules all aspects of the editorial process, which can include hiring the editorial team
              Responsible for setting and maintaining editorial standards
              Insures communication between members of the editorial team, including the designer


              Production Editor

              Responsible for the entire production process, including scheduling and tracking
              Responsible for hiring a designer and acquiring estimates from printers
              Assures that books are well printed and delivered


              These below are all types that you may or may not decide to use.

              Developmental Editor

              Collaborates with the author from an early stage to develop a publishable work
              Work can include asking the author for additional content, restructuring and rewriting passages in accordance with a particular format or style, and/or excising content that does not fit a book's focus
              Establishes a skeletal style sheet with sample pages to be used by copyeditor

              Copyeditor

              Corrects errors in grammar, usage, and consistency
              Queries the author with questions about conflicting statements or facts and incorporates the changes

              Proofreader

              Scours the typeset manuscript for typos and other errors

              My recommendation, evaluate your weaknesses and hire editors to help with those specific issues...

              As more $$ come in, consider investing in additional editors to hep you develop...

              I would start my search with word of mouth recommendations... pricing can vary dramatically.

              AND... be sure that you factor turn around time into your production schedule
              Wow. Thanks so much. For once I've met a person on this forum who is able to answer nicely and without any smart@## remarks.
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              Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    Without a doubt, it starts with a great quality book on a topic that people want to read. However, that is where MOST people stop, and that is only the first step.

    Once you've got that step, it comes down to building your author brand. Now THIS is the key. THIS is what separates the big money authors from everyone else. It takes strategy, time, and effort, but that's a good thing because most people either don't know how to do this or won't put in the time so it makes it easier for those that do and will.
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