10 Steps to a Kick-Butt Amazon Author Page

by Victoria M. Johnson

Is your Amazon Author page working hard enough for you?  Your author page on Amazon is your storefront 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Even when you're sleeping, readers from across the globe can land on your page and discover your work.  Does your content pique their interest?  Does it drive sales of your books?

First of all, if you are a writer or poet with works available for sale on Amazon, you must create an Amazon Author page.  There's no cost to you and it's easy to do.  Start here: http://authorcentral.amazon.com

The following steps are simple.  Keep in mind that the page is aimed at readers, people who buy books, fans and future fans.  Its purpose is to feature your books for sale and entice the visitor to buy.  Secondly, many readers want to know something about the author.  I've seen author pages that lead page visitors to other sites—away from the page where they can buy their book!

Elements of a kick-butt author page:

1.  Your photo.  I'm surprised by the number of pages I see without a photograph of the author.  Readers want to see you.

2.  Your biography.  Remember keep it reader focused.  This isn't the bio you use for classes you teach or fellowship applications.

3.  Your books.  Make sure all your books are added on your author page.  The instructions to do this are on the author central link above.

4.  Book related videos.  Most popular videos are book trailers, author interviews, and author readings or other book events.

5.  Your scheduled events.  If you participate in literary events in your community or away from home, you should always add the event to your page and select one of your books related to the event.  At one time I had three upcoming events and I highlighted one book for each.  It's another way for readers to find out about your bookstore appearances, booksignings, or readings.

6.  URL to your website.  I am mixed about this.  Many bestselling authors include their URL to their website.  Many do not.  Personally, I don't want to lead visitors away from the page where they can buy my books.  On the other hand, readers who want to know more about you may want to visit your website.  This one is up to you.

7.  Your blog posts.  It's easy to display your recent blog posts on your author page.  If you regularly post interesting content that entices readers to buy your books, then this can be a good thing.  Otherwise see item number six above.  (The same applies to displaying your facebook URL.) 

8.  Followers and Giveaways.  Readers can follow your page and amazon will notify them whenever you have a new release.  This feature is invaluable to reaching readers who already have an interest in your books.  Many authors offer a giveaway through amazon to lure entrants to visit and follow their Amazon page.  Details for offering giveaways are on the Author Central site: here.

9.  Link to your Amazon Author page.  In author central (upper right hand side) you'll find the URL to your author page.  Copy it and use it in all your author bios, in your books, your bookmarks, your website, etc.

10.  Share your author page in tweets, pins, posts, and updates!  You went through the work of creating a kick-butt author page, you may as well share it.

A sample kick-butt author page: 

Take a look at Melissa Foster's page.  It has all the elements above, PLUS, she offers a URL to sign up for her newsletter, and she has a URL to download her free books!  Notice, too, that her blog posts are aimed at readers.

 

Other examples:

Gina Ardito has a unique bio and when you scroll down towards the bottom you'll see an example of using the Upcoming Events feature.

 

Susan Aylworth has an engaging author photo as well as other intriguing photos of author events and places that inspire her books.

LeighMichaels writes both fiction and nonfiction books.  I like the way she describes both in her bio as well as her wonderful photos of herself writing. 

 

Do you have a kick-butt author page?  If so, give us the URL in the comments below so we can check it out.  If not, follow these steps and the examples of other authors.

Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma, (A 2012 Bookseller’s Best double finalist).  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride and a novella, Hot Hawaiian Christmas. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.