Review: Straightforward guide to improving an author’s Amazon and Google presence
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 17, 2014
Pros: Unique and detailed information, Information applicable to places outside of Amazon, Easy to understand (if you have SEO/Amazon knowledge)Cons: Geared more toward the experienced Amazon writer rather the beginnerAs I have spent more time marketing and promoting books, I have come to appreciate the valuable insight that I have gained from this book (and the previous one in the series) on Amazon SEO. Before reading this book series, I never really paid attention to Amazon SEO, except for keywords. This book series taught me the error in that. Amazon SEO has a rather small, but very important role, in:helping readers find your bookhelping Amazon correctly categorize and organize your bookBoth options will help authors, if you attend to the other aspects of marketing (book cover, book content, social media, etc.).This book in particular focused on keyword research, an area that I rarely mentioned in the same word with Amazon. The book demonstrates that relatively minor changes (such as keywords in the title) can impact where a book may appear as well as how to estimate the level of competition that exists for a particular keyword or topic. In the my view, the most helpful (and detailed section) aspect of this book was competitive research. This is an area that needs more development , especially for self-published authors. Traditional publishers often have access to market research, but the self-publisher on Amazon doesn’t really have much. Messick’s book is a help in the right direction.There are two caveats I will make for thie book. The first is that you need to be familiar with the concept of SEO and how it works. Understanding that will help make the book easier to follow along with. It is possible to understand the book without an SEO foundation, but the concepts will make more sense with that foundation. The second caveat is that this book should not replace the other aspects of marketing and promotion. As I mentioned above (and must repeat for emphasis), the tips and recommendations will only help if you have a well-designed book, title, content, and platform. If you are just looking for a get-rich quick scheme, you will be sorely mistaken. This book will help you find ways to help readers find your book. The rest is up to you.