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Do you guys even keyword research for kindle ebooks?

by Zodiax
11 replies
I was thinking of taking a new approach to writing e-books.

Many e-book authors have said that success does not lay so much on promotion but on quantity.

Like it's more of a numbers game.

The more books that you put out the more chance you have of getting exposure.

I don't feel like restricting myself to tedious keyword research, I just want to write what I am passionate about(personal development) on topics that I feel would help another person accelerate in their spiritual and mental growth.

I don't want to research stuff that I don't want to write about just to focus on $$$$.

I want to write self-help metaphysical books and get paid for it.

I keep getting this thought that if I write 100 e-books, eventually one of them will translate to profibility.

But, on the same token, I can write 100 books and get squat, and no exposure.

So, I am on the fence.

I have a lot to lose here, which is my time and emotions.

I want something good to happen if I successfully write 100 30-50 page self-help books and self-publish them on multiple platforms.
#ebooks #guys #keyword #kindle #research
  • Profile picture of the author Ghoster
    Many e-book authors have said that success does not lay so much on promotion but on quantity.

    Like it's more of a numbers game.
    This is not a great strategy for Kindle. Filling the marketplace with junk isn't going to do you or Amazon any favors.

    I know some marketers pay $200-$300 for a book that they get off of Odesk and then slap it up on Kindle. They might add 5-10 books a month. This requires a huge upfront investment, and to be honest, the quality at that price range is not going to be very good. A lot of the people who write ebooks at that price level are based in countries where English isn't the first language, and it shows. Nothing disrupts the flow of a novel or nonfiction book more than awkward phrasing.

    One thing about Kindle is that if your work sucks, your customers will let you know via public reviews. I don't know how many "Kindle Authors" I've seen advertising for fake reviews on black hat SEO sites, but it's been a lot.

    Once you're buying reviews to offset honest reviews, you know you've failed.

    Quality over quantity, for Amazon.

    Just write what you love, build a website and get cracking on social. That's all you need. Amazon provides incredible tools to help you, like GoodReads and Author Central.

    Finally, I think it VERY likely that Amazon will clean house soon. Remember, if the Kindle platforms become so full of junk that people start looking elsewhere for cheap ebooks, Amazon takes a hit.

    I think you should start with one very well-written book once you have your social platform and site set up. More than profits, you need fans.
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    • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
      Google Adwords can get pricey, do you recommend facebook promotion?
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      • Profile picture of the author Ghoster
        Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

        Google Adwords can get pricey, do you recommend facebook promotion?
        GoodReads ads are extremely effective, and they would be my first choice. They are pricey too, though.


        Facebook can work, but you have to target very carefully. Facebook users aren't in buying mode. That's why you need a website and some free content for them to land on. You want them to bookmark and follow you on social media.

        If you write fiction, give them some short stories. If you write nonfiction, provide high-quality, relevant articles. Put your best content behind an email sign up, but don't skimp on the free stuff. Turn them into fans, then buyers. In this industry, having a lot of fans can sustain you. You don't have to focus on the hard-sell so much.

        YouTube is extremely effective, and reasonably priced. TrueView In-Stream ads work well and don't cost an arm and a leg. You can also get huge amounts of free traffic. It's the second largest search engine, after all. Book trailers are great, but the market is a bit saturated. Get creative with YouTube and you'll see huge returns.

        I don't recommend AdWords for Kindle promotion at all.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jarrod
    Zodiax, there are definitely a lot of people on this forum I know that are making good money with Kindle. I've made a bit myself, but not killing it by any means.

    Understand that Kindle is a long-term biz, not something you're likely to make a lot of money with quickly. (There's nothing you said that makes me think you don't know this, but just want to be sure.)

    A common strategy is to write books in series, making the first book free (which you do by publishing on other platforms, making it free there, then telling Amazon about the lower price). Drive the traffic to the freebie, and if you can get a lot of downloads for it and your content is good, then some of those who read it will return to buy the next in the series.

    PS-I'm all into that metaphysical stuff too.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ghoster
      Originally Posted by Jarrod View Post

      Zodiax, there are definitely a lot of people on this forum I know that are making good money with Kindle. I've made a bit myself, but not killing it by any means.

      Understand that Kindle is a long-term biz, not something you're likely to make a lot of money with quickly. (There's nothing you said that makes me think you don't know this, but just want to be sure.)

      A common strategy is to write books in series, making the first book free (which you do by publishing on other platforms, making it free there, then telling Amazon about the lower price). Drive the traffic to the freebie, and if you can get a lot of downloads for it and your content is good, then some of those who read it will return to buy the next in the series.

      PS-I'm all into that metaphysical stuff too.
      One note:

      Amazon won't always mark your book down, and sometimes it takes them months to get around to it. It's not dependable.

      Series are great, and Amazon has a dedicated program where you can pitch a serial to them. If they accept your proposal, you set your publication date and release your story one part at a time.

      Amazon promotes these serials heavily.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jarrod
        Originally Posted by Ghoster View Post

        One note:

        Amazon won't always mark your book down, and sometimes it takes them months to get around to it. It's not dependable.
        Quite true, I should have included that. Thanks for pointing out.
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  • Profile picture of the author munstersg01
    Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post


    I have a lot to lose here, which is my time and emotions.

    .
    I strongly believe if your mind can perceive it you can achieve it;if you really think that it is something you can do go for it.

    There are many people who are doing series and making a success with them.

    Some of your books may do better and some may not do so well, enjoy the journey. Take one book at a time. With each book learn from that experience and do better the next book.

    At the end of the day even if I get to the top of the niche based on research but the book quality is low I may get tons of bad reviews it is believe that I will still not get much sales. Unless people really want to see if my book was that bad.

    One thing to note sometimes it is not all about sales but also reputation and branding, imagine how would an introduction like "Zodiax the author of over a 100 books and authority on metaphysics" sound like?

    If you have the passion for it, go for it. Writing a 100 books or even outsourcing 100 books is no joke. It is definitely a commendable and interesting project.

    Case study to share from 1920s Emanuel Haldeman-Julius is the creator of the little blue books each little blue book sold for 25cents. He published these little blue books on a variety of topics and he made millions out of them. Not all the books sell as well.

    You can read more about his story here Emanuel Haldeman-Julius : Pocket Series and the Little Blue Books

    If you have a kindle or a kindle app installed you can download some of the little blue books published by him for inspiration (a couple of titles are free).

    Little reports sell and can sell big time, depending on how you market them.

    Wishing you the very best
    Danny
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  • Profile picture of the author elusian
    I do both. I target my passions and do keyword research. This is especially important when choosing your title, as well as when you are creating your book description. It also lets you know if there is an actual market for the product. You could have a passion for a certain type of fish, for example, but if only a tiny percentage of the population has even a passing interest you probably will not turn a profit.
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    • Profile picture of the author celente
      Originally Posted by elusian View Post

      I do both. I target my passions and do keyword research. This is especially important when choosing your title, as well as when you are creating your book description. It also lets you know if there is an actual market for the product. You could have a passion for a certain type of fish, for example, but if only a tiny percentage of the population has even a passing interest you probably will not turn a profit.
      I would look for buying keywords with 100 - 500 searches a month. LOW COMPETITION. they are getting harder and harder to find, but they are out there, and when you find them, they are liquid gold! :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    Keyword should get over 1000 clicks per month on ad words, or more. Look for high competition keywords that are not cheap as in pennies. That means people are willing to pay. For example, save money on your car insurance.

    Go to amazon. I like a 20,000 - 40,000 score. This is on book number one in a genre.

    Right now on Kindle Unlimited there is a book for FREE - How to Find Profitable Niches, that I rec.

    Too much competition is not good for you. However, you do need a certain amount of traffic to be a success.
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  • Profile picture of the author onlineleben
    check out stevescottsite.com (not affiliated).
    He writes a lot about how he is making money with Kindle books. Lots of case studies. Also his kindle books are good to read and always on topic. check out the site and learn a lot.
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