If you've self-published your book or you plan to, one of the most valuable assets you can invest in is a great analytics tool. That's where Publisher Rocket comes in! (You can read about other analytics tools for authors here.)
After creating a high-quality book and preparing all your files for self-publishing, the next step is to get your book listed through a print-on-demand company (Like KDP or IngramSpark) or Seller Central (if you've chosen offset printing).
But lots of authors don't realize just how important it is to research your metadata before creating your book listing with one of those platforms.
What is metadata?
Metadata refers to the descriptive information about a book that helps readers and algorithms find and understand the book. It includes the book's title, subtitle, author name, publisher, publication date, ISBN or ASIN, genre, book description, keywords, and categories.
Search engines like Amazon and Google use metadata to match readers with books that fit their search queries. Accurate and well-researched metadata can significantly improve a book's visibility and discoverability online.
While certain parts of your metadata don't require research, (i.e. book's title, subtitle, author name, ISBN, etc) making sure you're in the right categories and are using the best keywords can make a big difference.
This brings us to Publisher Rocket! Let's start at the beginning:
What is Publisher Rocket?
Publisher Rocket is a powerful software tool designed to help authors maximize their book sales potential on Amazon.
It was created by Dave Chesson, a successful self-published author and marketer who has used his knowledge and experience to create a comprehensive tool that helps authors find profitable keywords, categories, and niches to increase their book’s visibility and sales on Amazon.
Key Features of Publisher Rocket
✨ Keyword Research Tool
The Keyword Research Tool enables authors to find profitable and relevant keywords for their books based on real-time Amazon data. It provides an extensive list of potential keywords, along with data on the competition and search volume for each keyword. This feature enables authors to optimize their book’s title, subtitle, and description with the right keywords, increasing their book’s visibility and discoverability on Amazon.
✨ Category Research Tool
The Category Research Tool helps authors find the most appropriate categories for their books based on their genre, competition, and popularity. You'll be able to see how competitive a category is and what types of books are in each category, which will help you find the best fit for your book and improve your book’s chances of reaching its target audience.
✨ Competitor Analysis Tool
The Competitor Analysis Tool enables authors to analyze other authors and books. By understanding how your competitors are positioning their books on Amazon, you can improve your own book positioning and sales potential.
Want to see Publisher Rocket in action? Check out the video below:
Advantages of Publisher Rocket
✔️ User-friendly
The software is available for Windows and Mac, and it’s easy to install and start using!
✔️ Easy to download and install
The software is available for Windows and Mac, and it’s easy to download and install.
✔️ Detailed analytics
Publisher Rocket offers several essential features, including keyword research, category research, competitor analysis, and AMS (Amazon Marketing Services) analysis.
✔️ Cost Effective
Publisher Rocket is not a free tool but the price is relatively low compared to other analytics tools and to the potential benefits it can provide in terms of increased book sales.
Disadvantages of Publisher Rocket
❌ One license per computer
This is my least favorite part about Publisher Rocket right now. I've been using my laptop more and more but you can only have the program/license actively working on one computer at a time. This means that I can't easily switch between my desktop and my laptop without purchasing the program again.
If you get a new computer and need to transfer Publisher Rocket from your old computer to your new one, it's not that big of a deal. But you can't run one license on two devices at once.
❌ Data is slightly delayed
I noticed when looking at my own book's sales and ranking that there is a slight delay to the data it will show you. This isn't surprising because algorithms need time to work but it does mean that sometimes, the numbers don't line up the way you might expect. As long as you keep this in mind as you research, it isn't a big deal.
❌ Amazon only
Publisher Rocket is designed specifically for Amazon, and it's not suitable for authors who publish their books on other platforms. Authors who publish on multiple platforms may need to use additional tools or software to optimize their book’s sales potential on other platforms.
While there are a few potential disadvantages to consider when using Publisher Rocket, they are relatively minor compared to the benefits it can provide in terms of increased book sales and improved discoverability on Amazon.
Overall, Publisher Rocket is a powerful and essential tool for authors who want to maximize their book sales potential on Amazon. Its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and real-time data analysis make it an invaluable resource for any author who wants to succeed in the highly competitive world of book publishing.
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