Metadata & Amazon Optimization

Service Description

Getting your first book onto Amazon is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. From categories and keywords to descriptions and backend metadata, the choices you make early on directly affect how easily readers can find your book and whether they choose to buy it. For first-time authors especially, small setup decisions can have a long-term impact on visibility and sales. With more than 10 years of publishing experience and eight years running an independent publishing imprint, I’ve helped authors navigate Amazon’s ecosystem from the ground up. My experience working with both independent publishing and traditional publishers, including Charlesbridge and Sourcebooks, has given me a strong understanding of how metadata, positioning, and discoverability work together to support a successful book launch. This service is designed specifically for first-time authors who want to make sure their book is properly set up for success on Amazon and other major retail platforms. We can cover: • Amazon KDP setup and best practices • Category selection and placement strategy • Keyword research and optimization • Book title and subtitle guidance (if needed) • Writing or refining Amazon book descriptions • Backend metadata optimization • BISAC categories and retailer alignment • Pricing strategy for launch and long-term sales • Series setup and cross-book linking • Print vs ebook optimization differences • Avoiding common first-time author mistakes • Improving search visibility and discoverability My approach is practical and jargon-free. You don’t need to be a marketing expert or understand Amazon’s technical systems—I’ll guide you through what matters most and why, focusing only on the decisions that have a real impact on visibility and reader engagement. Instead of guesswork, you’ll walk away with clear, actionable recommendations tailored to your book, your genre, and your goals. Whether you're publishing fiction, nonfiction, or children’s books, the focus is always the same: helping the right readers actually find your work. For first-time authors, strong metadata isn’t just a technical detail—it’s the foundation of your book’s discoverability. When done correctly, it helps position your book in front of the readers most likely to connect with it, giving your launch a stronger start and supporting long-term sales. The goal of this service is simple: to make sure your first book is not just published, but properly positioned to be found, understood, and purchased,