Keywords - A Science

Hello readers! Long time, no blogging! I hope this finds you all well!

Since we spoke (typed, read) last, I have been trying to think up ways to get my books more exposed. New covers, new descriptions, new advertising.... the (boring) list goes on and on....

Tonight I got to thinking about keywords. Keywords meaning phrases and search terms people type in at the top of the Amazon.com page to find the exact type of book they are wanting to read. As a writer, you'd think that this would come easy. Sure, think up 7 phrases that you MIGHT think a reader would put.... well, that's simple.... as a reader, what would I put? If you haven't already learned this about me, I'm not like the average person.... I usually like things that most people don't. If a critic likes a movie, I hate it... and vice versa. So, that tactic of thinking like other readers did not work.

Amazon gives you the option to put seven keywords when updating/uploading your books. Seven seems like a lot, seven seems like not much at all - it's all in the eye of the beholder. So, what do readers often search when looking for a book? Are they broad terms that will bring up tens of thousands of results? (Kindle books, romantic books, ebooks... These are more genre specific that would have tons of options falling under that umbrella.) Then you think of more specific terms. (Firefighter romantic suspense, drug addiction fiction, organized crime romance.) Being more specific is good, but also bad. How many people are going to search that exact term? The reason I ask is this - those more specific terms are geared toward the books that I have already published. The Firefighter Heroes Trilogy, Murphy's War, and Reformed are the three specifically tied to those keywords... The broader terms are also geared toward them, but how many other books will pop up as well?

I'm slowly learning that keywords are a science. What might work this week might not work next week. They change just like people change. It's a new challenge, but I'm actually having fun with it. Right now I have some specific keywords listed under my books -

-Firefighter Romance Ebooks
-Firefighter Romantic Suspense
-Drug Addiction Fiction
-Organized Crime Romance
-Crime Drama Romance

Of course, I get 7 keywords per book, so this isn't all of them, but it gives an example of some of the things I've put to try out. If they don't work, I'll try something new. That's all I can do!

 I know as readers, most don't care, but next time you go to Amazon in search of a book, keep in mind that keywords can and are a big deal to writers. It's not the sole way to get a book exposed, but lately, it's a way to get it on the first or second page of the search result after you type in your phrase. Next time I'm looking for a specific book, I'll think about this as well.

--Happy Reading!
J.R.

New Release - Fire Escape - Book Three: Troubled Heroes Series

After taking much longer than I had anticipated, Fire Escape - Book Three: Troubled Heroes Series is now available! Here is the book blurb:

Michael McGinnis has finally escaped the clutches of alcohol, and with his brother Casey doing well in rehab, for the first time in his life, he dares to hope that what only seemed like a fantasy a year ago - a life with Eva as his wife, a child or two, and a job he was born to do - will become a reality. But Viper reaches out even from prison, and sets out to shatter Michael's dreams. With help from outside sources, he frames Michael for a string of arson cases. Desperate to clear his name, Michael becomes a fugitive, staying one step ahead of the law, but one step behind the real arsonist.

Saturday night when I was editing, it was perfect. Right when I went to the KDP website to begin uploading the manuscript, I received an email from a reader stating how much they loved the book (Through Smoke, Book one in this series) and how they understand how important character development is. I have been in a feedback drought lately, and was thrilled to hear from someone. She went on to state that she would be reading the sequel, Backfire. I just had to let her know that her timing was perfect, and that the third book would soon be available in literally a matter of hours.

I apologize for the delay in finishing - I have put reasons (excuses) toward the end of the book in a special note to all of you.

Happy reading! Stay warm out there - spring will (hopefully) be here soon! And as always, I'd love to hear from you all! Hate the book or love it, sending me a quick email, tweet, or comment on Facebook will help me improve!

Kindly,

J.R.

Why Go Free ?

This past week has been amazing in regard to my books.  Through Smoke went free on Monday, February 4^th and was free through the 6^th.  I run freebies from time to time to try to get some exposure, but this particular promo had perfect timing.  It was a great experience.  While the downloads came in, that was a great feeling, but the best part of it all is knowing how many new readers I’m gaining.  My author page had several new ‘likes’ and I have received several emails.

As a writer, it is a natural high to hear from people who read their material.  Each download that showed up on my sales report meant a possible person who might like my stuff. Of course, it could be a complete 180 and it could mean people don’t like it – but that’s the name of the game. Not everyone is going to enjoy what you write and publish.  That’s one thing as an author I have to still accept.  Sure, getting that review that wasn’t too glowing stings a bit, but that’s part of the job.  Even best selling authors like Steven King and Nicholas Sparks get those.  (Now I’m going off on a tangent not intended for this particular blog update! Haha!)

This week has officially been the most successful week since I have been published – and not necessarily just downloads and purchases of my books, but the fact that I am gaining new readers.  I write to entertain, and knowing that so many people have my book ready to go on their Kindle brings a smile to my face.  I’m not in this to get rich – I’m in this to offer joy, wisdom, happiness, or whatever other emotion a person might feel when reading Through Smoke, Backfire (Sequel to Through Smoke), Dance With the Devil, or Fight for Absolution.  While these books are intense in nature and can run through every emotion a person can feel, I hope when someone finishes them, they feel it was worth their time (and money). 

I don’t know what made this free promo so successful compared to other times that I ran it.  It could be timing, luck, or both.  Regardless, I owe a HUGE THANKS to all of you readers out there who take their chances with indie authors.  It has become a huge market that has caught on like wildfire, so it can feel like a massive sea full of millions and millions of book choices.  So again, I greatly appreciate everyone who has bought, downloaded, and read my stuff.  It makes this all worthwhile!

Happy reading to you all, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you!