Monday, April 13, 2020

Tips for Using Publisher Rocket

After seeing a post about this program on Elizabeth S. Craig’s site, I decided to investigate. Within a day, I’d invested the $97.00 and downloaded it.

What does Publisher Rocket do?

From their website:
Find Keywords that Readers Actually Type Into Amazon
Discover Bestselling Book Categories in Seconds
Learn About Other Authors & Their Sales
Find Profitable AMS Keywords Fast

I’m going to focus on the keywords as that’s the part I’ve used the most.

Keywords are so important – they are how people find your book when doing a search. So, being able to narrow it down to the BEST keywords people are using NOW that will gain your book the most traffic is priceless. It is based on Amazon algorithms and is constantly updating, so the information is fresh.

Here’s the best way I’ve found to use the keywords feature:
  • First, write down all the keywords you are currently using (or will use) for your book. Include both single words and phrases. Phrases work best, but when trying to find the best ones, entering a single word also pulls up a large variety of phrases in Publisher Rocket.
  • Second, go to your book’s page on Amazon and copy the categories your book is ranked in.
  • Third, click on those rankings and check out the categories of other similar books and write those down.
  • Finally, brainstorm any other words or phrases that might apply to your book.

Once you have a list of 15-20 words/phrases, open Publisher Rocket and start entering them. You’ll get a list like this:

Now, click on Analyze for phrases that fit your book. It will show you how many books have that tag, how much they collectively make a month, how many Google searches a month, how many Amazon searches a month, and the competition ratio.

What is really key are the last two numbers. You want as many Amazon searches as possible coupled with a competitive score that is low – the farther away from 100, the better. Here are some phrases that rank pretty well:

The secret is to comb the list of phrases that pops up with each search and analyze all that apply – then from that point, start brainstorming other phrases. Sometimes it’s a simple adjustment that makes the difference – self-help to self help – and changing up some of the words in the phrases.

Once you have a list with at least 7 really good phrases, go into your distributor’s site and add those key phrases. (Also pick a #8 & #9 phrase, as some distributors allow more than 7.)

What’s eye-opening is how far off some keywords really are! The words/phrases you are using now might not show up in but 100 searches a month - or the competition is so stiff, no one will ever find your book!

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee. At the moment, it’s a one-time fee for the complete program and all upgrades. However, they state it will be going to a monthly subscription in the future.

Do I recommend it? You bet I do! Thank you, Elizabeth.


What do you use to come up with keywords/phrases? Would you consider using Publisher Rocket?

(Not to be confused with this Rocket, who really doesn’t help with the publishing!)


And hope you are following Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. on Facebook as we are posting videos of the authors reading their books all month long.

30 comments:

Pat Hatt said...

haha but I'm sure he tries to help.

Hmmm sounds like a good one indeed. Getting more views is a win. I admit I have become kinda lazy with key words.

Bathwater said...

Interesting, the way things are done these days are so different.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

When I first began, I'd used a lot of single words, but going back through all of our books with Publisher Rocket, I realized single words were not good to use.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

We want people to find our books!

Mason Canyon said...

Sounds like a great tool to use. Love the idea of the authors reading their books in videos.

DMS said...

This sounds like a fabulous tool- since we hope and need people to find our books. I hadn't heard of Publisher Rocket before- but would like to look into it. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
~Jess

Yolanda Renée said...

I've been looking for the secret to keywords. Thank you! This is awesome!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane - this sounds such an extra help to Elizabeth's first post on Publisher Rocket.

Well - Rocket will comfort you when you don't quite get something right!!

Take care - Hilary

L. Diane Wolfe said...

You will love it.

Natalie Aguirre said...

This sounds like a great tool for authors. Glad you're finding it helpful too.

J E Oneil said...

That does sound useful. I definitely want to learn about its other features.

Liz A. said...

I've seen similar for my knitting shop on Etsy. Keyword tools are very valuable.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I love Dave Chesson. But I've imposed a budget on my book habit for now, so don't tempt me!!!

Sherry Ellis said...

How interesting! It will be interesting to see how much of a difference that makes in sales.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Wow. That sounds like a great tool! Thanks for the review!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Almost every book in DLP's catalogue has been adjusted, so it should help!

Sandra Cox said...

Wow. Fascinating. Thanks for the heads up.
Love your Rocket:)

Denise Covey said...

Yes I have it and am studying its usefulness for when i publish. Great marketing tool. Thanks for explaining it.

emaginette said...

No doubt worth doing. Thanks for taking us through how to use it.

Anna from elements of emaginette

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Isn't she adorable? We say Star is adorkable though.

Sandra Cox said...

Please keep us posted on how this goes.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Have N95 mask and staying safe!

Tonja Drecker said...

Rocket is probably more of a secret helper in a subtle way ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane (and Rocket). Rocket the Cat looks like he's a good helper. Thank you for sharing this. Some good food for thought.

Stay healthy and safe,
Elsie

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Interesting. I had no idea it was so complicated. I bet Rocket can do it. Take care.

Lynn J Simpson said...

Interesting! I didn't know there was such a tool. And how come it took me this long to discover your facebook page?! Look forward to seeing all your content there too!

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Shannon Lawrence said...

Are you sure furry Rocket doesn't help? The kitty looks helpful. I hadn't heard of this, but I'd consider using it as a publisher or if I had more books out.

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H. R. Sinclair said...

That's very cool. (I bet the gray rocket is very helpful in other ways :-) )