7 ways you can harness the world’s largest ecommerce site to generate visibility for your business, even if you’re not a published author!
With more than 75 million unique visitors just in March 2011, you can’t ignore the impact Amazon.com can have on your online visibility. Therefore I ask, “are you using Amazon to boost visibility for your business?” If not, here are a few ways to consider:
1. Create a public profile. If you’ve ever bought anything on Amazon, then you have the opportunity to create a profile page. This is the bare minimum I recommend you do since your profile page gets linked every other place you participate on Amazon. Add your picture, a bio, a link to your blog, and select the information you want visible to the public: wish list, birthday, reviews, etc. Tip: For business visibility purposes, use your REAL NAME, not a pseudonym.
2. Post reviews. This is probably the most obvious way to get seen on Amazon. When you post a review, you can link it to your profile page so others can learn more about you.
3. Create lists. If you have reading lists you recommend to your clients and customers, post it on Amazon. When someone lands on the page for a book or product you recommend, your list shows up, again, an opportunity for folks to learn more about you. And, they may be your ideal client if they’re looking for a book you recommend.
4. Create tags. Every product/book page includes a feature for you to add your own tags. If you have your own books (Kindle included), add tags that reflect the key words you want to be found for, including YOUR NAME. Tags show up on your public profile. (Click on the image to see it full size.)
5. Publish your reports and ebooks on Kindle. This is easier than you may think and instantly gives you “author status.” Rather than extolling the benefits of publishing your content on Kindle, here’s a post with a link to a free, no opt in webinar showing you step by step how to publish on Kindle.
6. Set up your profile on AuthorConnect. If you have books in hardcover, softcover and/or Kindle then this is a MUST. This is not the same as the profile you created in #1, as an Amazon customer. This is your Author Profile which gives you much greater visibility and reach. You’ll see on my Author page a bio, head shot, my Twitter feed, links to recent blog posts (yes, another place to syndicate your blog content!), a list with images and links to all my books, and a discussion area where you can create connection and assist your readers. You can also add photos and videos, as well as events.
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7. Loan your Kindle books. This may not seem like a visibility play, but look at it this way: you have an opportunity to create a connection and selflessly serve your clients don’t worry about “lost” sales. if you own a Kindle, you’ll see that some (not all) Kindle books are available for lending. Periodically offer your community the opportunity to “borrow” one of your Kindle books. They can only be loaned one time, so it’s first come, first served. Bonus tip: when you set up your own Kindle books, make sure to allow lending as well. Why not share the good stuff you teach in your books?
I see a lot of lost opportunity on Amazon. While writing this post I cruised around looking for author profile pages and sadly, didn’t find them for a lot of prominent authors nor for colleagues I know who have books and Kindle ebooks.
No doubt there are more ways to leverage Amazon to boost your online visibility. What tips would you add to this list? Post them in the comments, please!
(P.S. My latest report in now available on Kindle for only $.99 (99 cents!): How to Use Images to Grab Your Reader’s Attention and Enhance Your Business Blog)
