KDP Marketing Guide

Before you hit publish, you need three things ready: a cover that beats the page-one competition, a description that sells (hook, benefit bullets, social proof, call to action), and a list of pre-launch readers — even 10 — who will buy and review in week one.

Categories decide which 'best-seller' lists you can rank on. Keywords decide which searches you appear in. Together they're your two visibility levers. Request up to 10 categories via KDP support, choose niches narrow enough to actually rank in, and run the seven keyword fields through real research (see our KDP keyword research guide).

Ask your network. Use a review service that complies with Amazon's policies (no incentivized reviews). Add a 'one-page ask' at the back of the book with a direct review link. Aim for the first 10 reviews in the first 30 days — they unlock ad efficiency and the social proof that lifts conversion.

Start with Sponsored Products auto campaigns to harvest the search terms Amazon thinks you're relevant for. Promote those into manual campaigns at controlled bids. Add product-targeting campaigns against complementary bestsellers in your niche. Budget $5–$10/day per book and adjust weekly based on ACOS vs your royalty.

A+ Content (visual modules in the description) lifts conversion 5–15% on average — set it up day one. Price test (e.g. $9.99 vs $12.99) every 30 days. If you write series, the second book multiplies the first because Amazon promotes read-through and you double your shelf space.

Refresh keywords and ad campaigns every 60–90 days. Run a Kindle Countdown or Free Promo each quarter to spike sales velocity. Build an email list with a free chapter or printable. Cross-promote a new release to readers of your older books — your back catalog is your best marketing channel.