Welcome to Waller Publishing, where we’re not just about publishing your book; we’re about propelling it to new heights. Today, we’re diving into one of the most critical aspects of achieving bestseller status on Amazon: selecting the right categories. And who better to guide us than 8-time #1 Bestselling Author, Mel Waller?
Why Category Selection Matters
The Amazon marketplace is vast, with millions of books competing for attention. Choosing the right categories for your eBook isn’t just about where your book fits; it’s about where it can shine. Here’s how Waller Publishing, with insights from Mel Waller, can help you navigate this crucial step:
Step 1: Understanding Your Audience
Before we even look at categories, we need to understand who your book is for. Mel Waller emphasizes, “Knowing your audience is key. What are they searching for? What categories do they frequent?” This insight helps in targeting categories where your potential readers are most active.
Step 2: Researching Categories
- Keyword Research: We’ll use tools to find out what keywords are popular in relation to your book’s theme. These keywords often correlate with categories.
- Competitive Analysis: Mel suggests looking at books similar to yours that are already bestsellers. “What categories are they listed in? How can we do better or differently?”
- Amazon’s Category Structure: Amazon’s categories are hierarchical. We’ll guide you through selecting both broad and niche categories where your book can stand out.
Step 3: Strategic Category Selection
- Primary Category: This should be where your book naturally fits. But remember, Mel advises, “Think about where your book can be a big fish in a small pond.”
- Secondary Categories: Here’s where strategy comes in. We might choose categories where there’s less competition or where your book can offer something unique.
- Avoiding Oversaturation: Some categories are so crowded that even a great book might not rise to the top. We’ll help identify less saturated categories where your book has a better chance.
Step 4: The Mel Waller Method
Mel Waller has a unique approach:
- Cross-Category Appeal: “Look for categories outside the obvious. If your book is about leadership but has a spiritual angle, why not list it in both business and spirituality?”
- Seasonal and Trend Categories: Books can ride waves of interest. If your book aligns with current trends or seasonal interests, we’ll capitalize on that.
- Feedback Loop: After initial placement, we monitor sales and rankings. If a category isn’t performing, we adjust. This dynamic approach ensures your book is always in the best position to succeed.
Step 5: Execution and Monitoring
- Uploading to KDP: We’ll ensure your book is correctly categorized during upload, following Amazon’s guidelines to avoid any issues.
- Continuous Optimization: Bestseller status isn’t just about initial placement. We’ll keep an eye on your book’s performance, making tweaks as necessary.
Why Choose Waller Publishing?
- Expertise: With Mel Waller’s insights, you’re not just getting standard advice; you’re getting strategies that have worked time and again.
- Personalized Approach: Every book is unique. Our category selection process is tailored to your book’s content, audience, and market conditions.
- Support Beyond Selection: From cover design to marketing, we ensure every element of your book’s presentation aligns with your chosen categories for maximum impact.
Conclusion
At Waller Publishing, we believe in not just publishing books but in crafting bestsellers. With Mel Waller’s proven strategies and our dedicated team, we’re here to help you select categories that don’t just fit your book but catapult it to the top of Amazon’s charts. Ready to aim for that bestseller status? Let’s talk about how we can make your book the next big hit.