How to Self Publish a Book in Profitable Categories

About this video

Dale explains that Amazon categories drive discoverability and that authors should not leave placement to chance. In KDP you choose up to two BISAC categories, but Amazon uses those choices plus your keywords in a machine-learned algorithm to place the book, sometimes into a third category and sometimes into a category you did not intend. He says a book can actually have up to 10 browse paths (categories) for each format, Kindle and print, though not every book will fit 10. His two-part vetting system is: 1) Use bklnk.com’s CATFINDER — paste the ASIN of a top-selling competitor in your niche to see all its browse paths; 2) Check each path in Publisher Rocket’s Category Search to see the sales rank needed for the #1 and #10 spots in that category, and judge whether you can realistically compete there. He stresses only using relevant categories — he gives a werebear romance in a children’s category as a wrong, shallow bestseller win — and recommends starting with about eight paths. Once you have the list, contact KDP via Contact Us > book details > categories, ask them to remove/add specific browse paths for your ASIN, and expect fulfillment in about 24 to 72 hours by email.

Key takeaways

• You choose 2 BISAC categories in KDP, but a book can have up to 10 browse paths per format (Kindle and print)
• Amazon combines your BISAC choices and keywords algorithmically and may add a third or an irrelevant category on its own
• Use bklnk.com CATFINDER with a competitor’s ASIN to discover the browse paths that work in your niche
• Vet each path in Publisher Rocket by checking the rank/sales needed for #1 and #10 to avoid categories you cannot compete in
• Request category changes through KDP Contact Us with your ASIN and the exact browse paths; Dale recommends starting with about 8 and says it typically takes 24-72 hours

Episode details: published December 4, 2019 · 11:44 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Dale L. Roberts’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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