January 8, 2020– I know that we’ve covered Metadata before in a previous blog post, but I wanted to reiterate the importance of it in the process of becoming a best selling author. Let’s start from the beginning; what is Metadata and why does it matter?
Metadata is everything connected with your book including the description, the title, if it’s a series, keywords, categories, and more. Metadata matters because this allows readers and prospective readers to find your book and ultimately purchase it. There are hundreds of thousands of works being uploaded PER DAY around the world! This is why properly organizing your Metadata is CRUCIAL to your success if you want to be heard amongst all of that noise.
Online consumers unknowingly access book metadata when searching online, making your book easier to discover including the readers who already know about you and the readers who are just discovering your book. Metadata also tells librarians and booksellers where to shelve your book! The ISBN assigns categories that are standard in the publishing industry and also allows digital stores like Amazon to locate it online.
Here are some tips to help:
- Pick the right keywords and phrases that apply to your book. What would readers type into the search bar if they were looking for a book like yours? Use keywords that can easily be included in your description, title website etc.
- Write an excellent book description. Make sure it’s intriguing and grabs your audience. Think of it as an elevator pitch for your book. The description of your book is the MOST important aspect of conversion (turning discovery into a sale).
- Be consistent. Spell your name exactly the way it is on your book cover. If you use a middle initial or hyphenate your name, this must be done consistently with each book for as long as you’re an author. Being consistent allows more links to you and your work and this will allow you and your books to be easily searched.
You want as many qualified (reading your genre) readers as possible to find your book. Excellent metadata, along with great book marketing, and captivating writing, will help with the rest. Your book’s metadata is vital to your success and has a MASSIVE impact on your book sales. Quality metadata is the difference between achieving bestseller status or missing out on an opportunity to reach a reader.
This post is the TIP of the iceberg when it comes to Metadata and how to use it! There is so much more to it.
If you’ve decided that becoming a best selling author is one of your writing goals for 2021, then let us help! Join our best seller bootcamp here: Best-Seller Bootcamp January 4th-31st – Pandamonium Publishing House
