Overview: What How do I get my book into more categories Really Means

When we talk about how do I get my book into more categories, we’re essentially exploring strategies to increase your book’s visibility on online platforms. Book categories act as virtual bookshelves, helping readers find books that match their interests. By strategically placing your book in multiple relevant categories, you maximize its chances of being discovered by potential readers, leading to increased sales and readership.

Many authors underestimate the power of effective categorization. It’s a crucial aspect of book marketing and discoverability, especially in today’s crowded online marketplace. Think of it as optimizing your book for search engines, but instead of Google, you’re optimizing for Amazon, Kobo, and other online bookstores.

Who This Is For and When It Makes Sense

This guide is primarily for self-published authors and authors working with small presses who have control over their book’s metadata. It’s particularly relevant if:

• You’ve recently published a book and want to improve its visibility.
• Your book sales are stagnating, and you need a boost.
• You’re preparing to launch a new book and want to optimize its discoverability from the start.
• You realize your book is currently in too few or inappropriate categories.

It makes sense to focus on category optimization when you’ve already taken care of the basics: a professionally edited book, an eye-catching cover, and a compelling book description. Think of it as fine-tuning your book’s presentation to attract the right readers.

How to Do How do I get my book into more categories Step-by-Step

1. Research Relevant Categories: Start by brainstorming keywords related to your book’s genre, themes, and target audience. Use these keywords to search for similar books on Amazon or other platforms. Note the categories these books are listed under.
2. Identify Subcategories: Once you’ve identified broad categories, delve into subcategories. Subcategories are often more specific and can help you target a niche audience more effectively. Amazon, for example, has a vast array of subcategories.
3. Log into Your Publishing Platform: Access your book’s details on your publishing platform (e.g., KDP).
4. Edit Book Details: Locate the section where you can edit your book’s categories. This is usually found under “Edit Book Details” or a similar option.
5. Select Categories: Choose the categories and subcategories that best fit your book. Remember, Amazon KDP allows you to select up to ten categories (using a trick detailed later).
6. Save Changes: Save your changes and wait for them to be reflected on the platform. This can take a few hours or even a day or two.
7. Monitor Results: Track your book’s sales and rankings in the chosen categories. If you’re not seeing the desired results, revisit your category selections and make adjustments.
8. Leverage the “Contact Us” Option: On Amazon KDP, you can request to be placed in up to 8-10 categories by contacting support and providing the browse node for the desired categories. This is an important, often missed, step.

The Category Optimization Compass Framework

To guide your category selection process, consider the Category Optimization Compass (COC) framework. This involves four key directions:

1. Genre Alignment (North): Ensure your categories accurately reflect your book’s genre. This is the most fundamental aspect.
2. Target Audience (South): Consider who you’re writing for. Choose categories that your ideal readers are likely to browse.
3. Keyword Relevance (East): Categories should align with relevant keywords that readers might use to search for books like yours.
4. Competition Level (West): Aim for categories where you have a reasonable chance of ranking well. Avoid overly competitive categories, especially when starting out.

By considering all four directions of the Category Optimization Compass, you can make informed decisions about which categories will best serve your book.

Options Compared

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Choosing overly broad categories: This makes it difficult for your book to stand out. Instead, focus on subcategories and niche categories.
• Selecting irrelevant categories: This can attract the wrong readers and lead to negative reviews. Always ensure your categories accurately reflect your book’s content.
• Ignoring keyword research: Keyword research helps you identify categories that potential readers are actively searching for.
• Failing to monitor results: Track your book’s sales and rankings in different categories to see what’s working and what’s not.
• Not utilizing all available category slots: On Amazon KDP, aim to eventually fill all ten possible category slots.
• Setting categories and forgetting them: The book market changes, and so should your categories. Review them periodically.

What Most Guides Miss About How do I get my book into more categories

Many guides on how to get your book into more categories focus solely on the initial selection process within the publishing platform. They often miss these crucial points:

• The power of browse nodes: Amazon uses “browse nodes” to organize its categories. Knowing how to find and use these nodes is essential for requesting specific categories from KDP support.
• Genre blending strategically: While it’s important to be accurate, strategically blending genres (e.g., a historical romance with elements of mystery) can open up new category opportunities.
• The importance of competitive analysis within categories: Don’t just look at the top books in a category; analyze the books ranking in the top 20-50 to gauge your chances of ranking well.
• That the category landscape changes: Amazon regularly adds, removes, and modifies categories. Stay informed and adapt your strategy accordingly.
• Leveraging categories for ad targeting: Once you’ve optimized your categories, you can use them to target your Amazon ads more effectively.
• The hidden benefit of lower competition sub-sub-categories: Drilling down into extremely niche subcategories can result in fewer sales overall, but a higher *conversion rate* for those who do find your book.

Quick Checklist

• Research relevant categories using keyword analysis.
• Identify appropriate subcategories for a more niche audience.
• Log in to your publishing platform (e.g., KDP).
• Edit your book details and select initial categories.
• Save your changes and wait for them to be reflected.
• Monitor your book’s performance in the chosen categories.
• Locate browse nodes for desired categories
• Contact platform support (if applicable) to request additional categories using browse nodes.
• Periodically review and adjust categories as needed.

Real-World Example

Let’s say you’ve written a historical fiction novel set during the Victorian era, featuring a strong female protagonist who investigates a series of mysterious deaths. Initially, you might place it in the broad categories of “Historical Fiction” and “Mystery.”

However, by using the Category Optimization Compass and performing keyword research, you realize that readers interested in strong female characters also search for “Women’s Historical Fiction” and “Victorian Mysteries.” You also discover a subcategory called “Historical Mysteries Featuring Female Detectives.” By adding these more specific categories, you significantly increase your book’s chances of being discovered by your target audience. Furthermore, you contact KDP support and, using the browse node information you found, requested placement in 6 more relevant sub-categories, pushing your total to 8.

Related Guides on This Site

• Book Marketing Strategies for Self-Published Authors
• How to Write a Compelling Book Description
• Choosing the Right Keywords for Your Book

Conclusion

Mastering how do I get my book into more categories is a crucial step for any author looking to maximize their book’s reach and sales. By following the steps outlined in this guide, leveraging the Category Optimization Compass, and avoiding common mistakes, you can significantly improve your book’s visibility and connect with more readers. Remember to regularly review and adjust your category selections to stay ahead of the curve and ensure your book remains discoverable in the ever-evolving online marketplace. Take the time to implement these strategies, and watch your book’s potential unfold. Consider this an ongoing process, not a one-time task, and you’ll reap the rewards.

FAQs

Why is it important to categorize my book correctly?

Categorizing your book correctly is crucial because it helps potential readers find your book when they’re browsing online bookstores. Categories act as virtual bookshelves, allowing readers to narrow down their search based on genre, themes, and other criteria. If your book is placed in irrelevant categories, it’s less likely to be discovered by your target audience.

<h3>How many categories can I choose for my book on Amazon KDP?</h3>

<p>Initially, Amazon KDP allows you to choose only two categories directly during the book setup process. However, you can request to be placed in up to ten categories by contacting KDP support after your book is published and providing the browse nodes for the desired categories. This significantly expands your book's reach.</p>



<h3>What are browse nodes, and how do I find them?</h3>

<p>Browse nodes are numerical codes that Amazon uses to identify specific categories and subcategories. To find browse nodes, you can browse the Amazon website as if you were a customer and navigate to the desired category. Then, look at the URL in your browser's address bar; the numbers following "node=" are the browse node for that category. Alternatively, third-party tools can help you find browse nodes.</p>



<h3>Can I change my book's categories after it's been published?</h3>

<p>Yes, you can change your book's categories after it's been published. Simply log into your publishing platform, edit your book's details, and select new categories. Keep in mind that it may take some time for the changes to be reflected on the platform. For Amazon KDP, contacting support is the most effective way to change categories and add more.</p>



<h3>How often should I review and update my book's categories?</h3>

<p>It's a good practice to review and update your book's categories every few months, or whenever you notice a significant change in sales or rankings. The book market is constantly evolving, and new categories may become relevant over time. Regularly reviewing your categories ensures that your book remains discoverable.</p>



<h3>What if my book doesn't fit neatly into any existing categories?</h3>

<p>If your book blends genres or doesn't fit neatly into existing categories, consider using a combination of broad and specific categories. You can also contact platform support and suggest a new category if you believe there's a genuine need for it. Think creatively about how readers might search for books like yours.</p>



<h3>Are paid services that help with category selection worth the investment?</h3>

<p>Paid services can be helpful, especially if you're short on time or lack expertise in category optimization. However, it's important to do your research and choose a reputable service. Be wary of services that make unrealistic promises or guarantee specific results. Often, the steps outlined in this guide are sufficient.</p>



<h3>How do I know if my category choices are effective?</h3>

<p>The best way to gauge the effectiveness of your category choices is to monitor your book's sales, rankings, and visibility in those categories. If you're seeing an increase in sales and your book is ranking well, it's a good indication that your category choices are effective. If not, consider revisiting your category selections and making adjustments.</p>