Amazon KDP Keyword Research Guide That Actually Helps (Find $10k/Mth Book Topics)

Keyword Research Process for Amazon KDP

Introduction to Keyword Research

• The speaker introduces their keyword research process that has generated over $100,000 and sold 7,000 audiobooks.

• A free Amazon KDP course and an Amazon ads master class are mentioned as valuable resources linked in the description.

Understanding Key Terms

• Keyword: Defined as what people search on Amazon; interchangeable with book topics.

• The distinction between keywords and book topics is explained, emphasizing specificity (e.g., "stock market investing for teens" vs. "stock market investing for beginners").

• BSR (Bestseller Rank): Indicates how well a book is selling compared to others on Amazon.

Common Mistakes in Keyword Selection

• Many authors incorrectly choose a book topic first and then look for keywords afterward; this approach is discouraged.

• Emphasis on finding a profitable book topic or keyword before creating the book to ensure it can perform well.

Focused Book Creation Strategy

• The strategy involves creating a book specifically targeting one main search term to rank effectively on page one of search results.

• The speaker asserts that 90% of sales will come from this focused main search term if there is demand.

Effective Publishing Approach

• The method works for both high content and low content books by identifying topics that are already selling well.

• Creating high-quality books based on existing demand ensures visibility and sales when properly launched.

Market Dynamics and Competition

• The speaker believes that the Amazon KDP market isn't oversaturated; there's always demand for new content.

• By understanding customer needs and positioning products accordingly, competition diminishes significantly.

Marketing Simplified

• Minimal marketing is required since the focus is on placing books directly in front of interested customers who are already searching for those topics.

Finding Untapped Topics

• The process begins with exploring bestseller categories on Amazon, with an upcoming twist introduced for 2025 to uncover untapped opportunities.

Finding Untapped Book Topics

Introduction to Topic Discovery

• Identifying untapped topics with low competition is challenging, but the speaker will provide a method for doing so.

• A specific tool is necessary to view bestseller ranks; options include DS Amazon Quick View (free) and Book Beam (paid).

Tools for Research

• Using an incognito or private window on Amazon helps avoid skewed search results based on personal shopping history.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a keyword research spreadsheet to record potential topics.

Keyword Research Process

• Spend ample time exploring bestseller categories on Amazon to identify book topics; quick searches may not yield profitable keywords.

• Investing one to three weeks in thorough keyword research can lead to discovering unique and profitable book ideas.

Strategies for Finding Unique Topics

• The speaker suggests looking beyond surface-level categories by clicking into books, which reveals deeper insights and less common topics.

• Engaging deeply with Amazon's recommendations allows researchers to uncover interesting subjects that are not widely recognized.

Examples of Potential Topics

• Some examples of identified topics include "Core Exercises for Seniors" and "Anti-inflammatory Diet."

• By clicking through related books, additional unique topics such as "Middle School Study Guide" and "Guide for Women with ADHD" were discovered.

Keyword Research for Book Topics

Finding Potential Book Topics

• Focus on deep keyword research by exploring various books rather than sticking to surface-level categories. This method helps uncover hidden topics that may not be widely recognized.

• Utilize the Niche Finder tool in the Book Beam web app to identify successful book categories based on specific parameters, such as bestseller rank and number of reviews.

• Set parameters like a bestseller rank of 1 to 30,000 and around 150-200 reviews to find books that are selling well but have low competition.

Validating Book Topics

• Look for newer topics (published within the last 6 to 12 months) with low reviews, indicating potential market interest without overwhelming competition.

• Examples of promising book topics include "ocean scene coloring book" and "easy weeknight dinners," suggesting emerging niches worth exploring further.

Importance of Keyword Validation

• The keyword validation process is crucial; it involves confirming that people are actively buying related books while ensuring manageable competition exists.

• Two key metrics for validation are traffic/demand and competition/visibility. These metrics help assess whether a topic is viable for new publications.

Metrics for Assessing Keywords

• Use search volume data from the Book Beam tool to evaluate keywords. Record bestselling books with ranks under 50,000 and ideally fewer than 150 reviews as indicators of demand.

• Identify "dead books" (those with over 25 reviews but poor sales performance). A high number of dead books compared to winning ones suggests a lack of market interest in that niche.

Analyzing Competition and Visibility

• Examine search results closely; ensure that the listed books align with your intended topic. For example, if searching for "diet cookbook," all results should relate directly to diet cookbooks.

• Consider the number of pages available on relevant topics; fewer pages indicate less saturation, making it easier to rank higher in search results.

• Be cautious about competing against authority figures—books with over a thousand reviews can be challenging due to their established presence in the market.

Keyword Validation Process

Understanding Keyword Effectiveness

• The speaker discusses the challenge of competing with authority figures in book sales, emphasizing the need to validate keywords effectively.

• A good keyword example is "good energy cookbook," which has a high search volume of 40,000, indicating strong interest but not revealing the complete picture.

• The validation process involves checking for books with a BSR (Best Seller Rank) of 50,000 or less and fewer than 150 reviews; five such books were identified.

• The speaker counts dead books—those with 25 or more reviews that are not selling—finding about 14 on page one of search results, highlighting market saturation.

• Analyzing pages reveals that many books are unrelated topics, suggesting low competition; even minimal success (one review) can lead to visibility on page three.

Competition Analysis

• The analysis shows that as long as a new book garners at least one review, it can rank well due to low competition on page one.

• The focus shifts to identifying where competition dies off; many related titles have low reviews and aren't selling well.

• Only one authority figure exists in this niche—a book with over a thousand reviews—indicating potential for new entries into the market.

• Despite some metrics showing dead books, there are numerous titles with low reviews still making sales; thus, they may not be significant competitors.

• If a new book achieves around 100 reviews and is properly launched with an appealing cover, it stands a good chance of success.

Final Thoughts on Keyword Selection

• Adjusting metrics like dead books can reveal promising keywords; if most metrics are green (positive), it's likely a viable keyword opportunity.

• Caution is advised against using trademarked terms like "good energy," despite its illustrative value in keyword validation discussions.

• A spreadsheet designed for tracking these metrics will help identify winning keywords efficiently by focusing on those that yield all green indicators.

Keyword Research for Book Publishing

Importance of Traffic and Demand

• The traffic and demand section is crucial; if it's poor, the rest of the analysis is irrelevant. A good keyword must have high demand to ensure book sales.

• Look for evidence of successful books with low reviews in a niche. This indicates that there is potential demand despite competition from poorly performing titles.

Analyzing Competition

• Focus on identifying winning books in your category. If several low-reviewed books are selling well, it suggests a strong market presence.

• Utilize a spreadsheet to evaluate keywords effectively. It helps determine whether a keyword has potential based on existing book performance.

Common Mistakes in Book Marketing

• Many authors fail by publishing in niches without demand, leading to ineffective marketing strategies. Understanding market needs is essential before launching any marketing efforts.

• A free spreadsheet tool can help assess keyword viability, ensuring you focus on topics with proven interest.

Competing Effectively

• To compete successfully, analyze existing authority figures and saturation levels within your chosen niche. Aim to create better quality content than what's currently available.

• Don’t shy away from competition; as long as competing books have fewer than 200 reviews, there's room for new entries that can outperform them.

Strategies for Success

• When launching a book, aim for high-quality production and effective marketing strategies to rank well on page one of search results.

• After achieving initial rankings, continuously optimize your book's presentation (ads, cover design, product page), which will enhance conversion rates over time.

Real-world Application and Results

• Successful launches often lead to increased sales as more reviews accumulate; higher review counts correlate with better sales performance.

• A recent personal success story illustrates how entering a high-demand topic can yield significant earnings quickly—over $8,000 shortly after launch during an off-season period.

Future Outlook

• Anticipate seasonal trends; certain niches like exercise see spikes in interest at specific times (e.g., New Year resolutions).

• By preparing strategically ahead of peak seasons and focusing on quality content creation, authors can maximize their chances of success when traffic increases.

How to Sell Books Organically on Amazon KDP

Strategies for Organic Sales

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of selling books organically on Amazon KDP, highlighting that minimal ad spend can lead to significant profits.

• A free Amazon KDP course is available, which provides valuable insights and strategies for authors looking to succeed in self-publishing.

• The mention of an "Amazon ads master class" suggests additional resources for those interested in learning about effective advertising techniques.

• The speaker encourages viewers to subscribe for more straightforward and practical advice regarding Amazon KDP, indicating a commitment to ongoing education in this area.

• The video concludes with a call-to-action, inviting viewers to explore the provided links for further learning opportunities.