How to Create a Strong Amazon Author Page
Every writer thinks that finishing their manuscript will be the hardest part of the publishing process…until they have to start promoting and marketing their book. It’s a must if you want people to read your work (after all, they won’t buy it if they don’t know about it), and it’s necessary whether you’re self-publishing or going the traditional route.
Don’t worry, though: There are plenty of resources to ensure your marketing journey runs smoothly. An essential element for authors who sell their books on Amazon is having an up-to-date author page on the site, which acts as a public profile where readers can learn more about their favorite writers, check out any other books they’ve published, and connect with them directly. It’s one of the most important elements of your marketing efforts as an author, so don’t neglect it. If you’re struggling with your marketing strategy, check out our book marketing packages.
What’s the purpose of an author page?
An author page is your chance to connect with your audience, let them know who you are, and solidify your legitimacy as a professional author. It’s a place where you can share book trailers, gain followers, and direct readers to your blog and social media accounts, as well as post updates on your work and any events you’ll be participating in, such as book signings, readings, or festival panels. In this sense, it’s a great way to direct existing and potential fans to more ways to interact with you and your work.
You can also link all your books that sell on Amazon, whether they’re print, eBooks, or audiobooks, essentially converting your page into your own personalized bookshop and getting more eyes on all of your work. People browsing through Amazon’s bookstore are already looking to buy books and possibly to discover new authors, and your profile is your chance to engage them and grow your fanbase.
That’s all fine, but where do you start?
Sign up for an Author Central account
The first step to setting up your author page is signing up for an Author Central account on Amazon. Author Central is the main hub for Amazon’s virtual bookstore, which gives you access to all your stats (sales, comments, and reviews) plus tech support. This information can be invaluable—your sales stats can tune you into who’s buying your books, while the reviews and comments can let you know what readers like and dislike.
Keep in mind there are multiple international sites for different world regions and languages, and you can open an account on each of them if you want to grow your audience globally. Keep an eye on the statistics for all accounts you create—some audiences may have different tastes from others.
If you think you don’t need access to this data and information, think again: Books don’t sell themselves. For self-published authors, it is especially consequential to be immersed in the current market since successful marketing comes down to research on stats, trends, and audience preferences. That’s what your Author Central account offers—you can use the information you glean from it to make your next book an even bigger hit.
Write your author bio
Now that you’ve got your account, it’s time to set up your author page. The most important element is your biography, so it needs to be flawless. If it feels like too much pressure, take a breath and remember that you have already published a book—you can definitely write an author bio. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to write your bio for you.
The first thing to keep in mind is that your author bio should sound like you and give the reader a good sense of who you are as a person. It’s true that many authors have stuffy, third-person bios on their profiles, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. You should be writing for your readers, for your target audience, and your voice should shine through in your bio the same way it does in your writing.
So, if you prefer a friendly, first-person bio, go for it. Write it how you want to be perceived—you can be formal or casual, serious or jocular. Don’t be afraid to share your achievements, awards, accolades, and special mentions; remember, this is your chance to convince a potential reader that you’re awesome and they should definitely buy your book. However, don’t brag about it—keep it humble and grounded. Don’t write your entire life story, either. Just provide basic information that you think makes you interesting or more likable and any important details that relate to you as an author.
Don’t forget to have your bio checked for errors, preferably by a professional editor or proofreader who can give you feedback and make sure there are no typos and mistakes before you post it. Consider asking friends and family to read it, too. They know you better than anyone and can tell you if you’ve missed anything or overshared. You could also have your bio test-read by strangers to see what kind of impression it makes.
What else can you include in your Author Page?
Besides your bio and links to your blog and social media, you can also add optimized descriptions to each of your books. Make sure to use keyword phrases to make it easier for shoppers to find your book based on themes, major plot points, locations, and other details that someone might search for when looking for their next read. Failing to add keywords can mean losing out on new readers, so be sure to take advantage of this feature. Reviews are another key detail you can add—these should be written by real people who have read your books, but you have control over how these reviews appear on your page. Choose the best ones and place them front and center!
Your Amazon author page is an indispensable part of your book marketing strategy, so keep it updated and optimized. Use its features to your advantage, add a photo of yourself (preferably one shot by a professional photographer), and let your social media followers know their reviews could end up on your main page. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, check out our book marketing packages that include book descriptions and keywords specifically for Amazon, an author bio, a blurb, and much more.
