20Books to 50K Conference Takeaways
Keywords: Dave Chesson & Scott Paul
- In an Amazon search, book #1 gets 2x more clicks than book #2.
- Sub-categories “are golden.” Use them!
- Determine if your keyword is a “buyer” term by looking at the book’s best seller rank number on the sales page and entering it into the Kindle Best Seller Calculator.
- Look at factors like review recency, keyword in the title, famous author, knowledge and marketing skills of the author, age of the book to determine if the book category is too competitive.
- Editor’s Note: I do use Dave’s KDP Rocket to analyze keyword searches and competitiveness although this could be done manually.
Marketing Your Books for Free, Bryan Cohen
- Use your skills (network) — What can you bring to the table? Figure out your “superpower” and utilize it to reach more readers.
- Use your characters (copy) — Establish the character, focus on their journey & leave in a cliffhanger.
- Using your storytelling (funnel) — Tell stories about your first book, your struggles and ask relatable questions.
Rule #1: Be a Creator, Not a Follower
Rule #2: Always Start and End with Character
Rule #3: Share the Real You with Your Readers
“You must think you can do it. You must believe you can do it. You must think and believe you deserve it.”
Honoree Corder
7 Steps to Write Better Books Faster, Joe Nassie
99% of story problems come down to structure
Story Engine Phases:
- Preparation Phase- introduces hero, setting and problem
- Game Changer #1 (20–25%)- event that forces the hero out of his/her everyday life
- Reactive Phase- hero reacts to the events in an emotional manner (stumbling about, not in control)
- Game Changer #2- hero learns something that gives him/her a focus on the story problem and opposition
- Proactive Phase- based on knowledge in GCM#2, the hero goes on the offensive, actively tries to find a solution (tries and fails, tries and fails) as stakes continually increase
- Game Changer #3- hero gets the final piece of the puzzle
- Conclusion Phase- hero makes a last, all-or-nothing attempt to win the day/solve the story problem
Notes on Writing Premise:
Begin with an idea and then your write premise. The story premise validates the idea, short summary of book and includes hero, story problem and stakes, and possibly the opposition.
Answer these questions to write the premise:
- What does the character want?
- What drives the character toward that goal?
- How will they change during the course of the struggle?
- Facebook doesn’t want your ads to look like ads…use a picture only
- Use stock photos that contrast with the Facebook feed rather than your book cover
- Long ad copy works well and forces Facebook to add the “read more” tag which lets it know people like it thereby lowering CPC
- Tell a story in your ad, show off storytelling skills. What is the quirky thing about your character? Consider using those traits for character-focused ads
- Relevancy should be 7 or above
- Targeting other authors doesn’t seem to work in romance as well as other genres, try general interests instead
Better Writing Through Stronger Narrative, Maxwell Drake
- Use stronger verbs
- Avoid bland linking verbs
- Avoid filtering- force the reader to feel the story through the POV
Ex. I could feel the demon’s hot breath licking the back of my neck VERSUS The demon’s hot breath licked the back of my neck.
Filtering words: Could/decide/experience/felt/feel/hear/realize/watched
4. Write in an active, not passive, voice
5. Don’t tell the reader how to react (unexpectedly, surprisingly, etc.)
6. Let the reader see it, don’t make them guess
7. Make it personal
8. Let your dialogue “speak,” use ut to show more of the story
9. Let the reader hear it, don’t tell the reader what they hear
10. Kill the adverbs
11. It is OK to tell sometimes. . .