Extremely helpful. This is the most practical guide to Amazon ads for authors that I've found on RUclips. All the other videos, the hosts spent a lot of time "hyping" their information, but this video actually provided step-by-step information. So appreciated!
I am a not yet published newby and I have watched read books about Amazon ads and watched videos too but this is the first video that I really understand. At last, it all makes sense, when my first book comes out, thanks to this video I will know how it works and what to do when it comes to my turn to advertise. Thank you. Your clarity has lifted a vail from me. I can see it clearly at last.
I've just discovered this channel and I think this is the best channel on amazon ads. You are a fabulous presenter. One thing I'm confused is: you said a person spent $1 to make $3-4; the total ad spent was about $1100 and sales for that was about $4200. But sales is not profit, we need to substract the print cost of the book and ad spent, right? Do you have or can you make a video that focuses on math calculations to get the profit number?
You are right but don’t forget that there are also sales that don’t register on the ad dashboard but are contributed to from ads (some come in as organic and some as hardcover sales on Ingram Spark if you are running ads to paperback but also have linked hardcover listings that don’t count on the dashboard). Brand recognition and sales of other books in your bookshelf can also contribute. It is good to gather all this information and get a true ROI for sure!
Do you have to create the text inserts in a different software then insert them in your video or do you does your video editing-creating software have that option? What do you use? I like your occasional BIG TEXT inserts!
My video editor does that for me. I’m not sure what she uses but I do sometimes create with Camtasia and you can add text. Same with iMovie and others.
This was a very helpful video. What is a good ACOS to have? Yours is really low and amazing, but mine are between 60-70%. I just started running ads, but I am trying to bring the ad spend down. Also, where it says "sales" is that the total book cost or net profit cost that is going to you?
ACOS is not the most important metric and can actually be quite misleading. If you use Ingram Spark, for example, none of those sales show up in your ad dashboard. I had one author who sells thousands of hardcover childrens books through Ingram and even those he has a high ACOS, it isn’t really once you factor other sales in. Your ads also drive organic sales as well. Just try turning off ads and watch your kdp sales tank… even though you thought you were bringing a ton of organic sales in. It is hard to explain why, but it is true. So my best advice is add up your royalties every month (kdp, Ingram, seller central if you have it), profits on your website sales or at events. Once you have that amount you brought in, subtract your expenses (ad spend, event fees, promotions, etc.) and the amount that remains is your profit for the month. Keep track of that and work on ways to continue growing that.
Thank you for your great video. It is very useful and gives us hope (I mean for the begginers in Amazon ADS). I have a question about your data in video. Your SPEND is 1181$, SALES - 4256$, and ORDERS 332. That means the price for 1 book is around 12$. Asuming your royalty for one book is around 4$, your profit is: 1328 - 1181$ =147$, and if you earn 5$, it is 479$. When you say that for 1$ invested, you gain 3-4$, what do you mean? Sales or profit?
Very helpful video, many thanks. One question: When doing a Sponsored Ads - Manual targeting - Keywords Ads, can you use ASIN numbers as your keywords? I think I understood that as a "yes" in the video, but just looking to confirm. Thank you.
April this was super helpful! As usual you are sooo generous with your content! We just released our Dzogchen books for kids on Amazon, and were bestsellers in new releases in Buddhism Children's Books and so I was wondering how to go about advertising as a next step! I think we'll start with that phrase and like you say have new ideas as we go along! Thank you, from Celine
Before advertising make sure you have built up some reviews (25 or more ideally) so you have some social proof and also add A+ content (see my videos on that if you don’t understand what that is or how to do it). Then… start Amazon ads. If you want to set up some time with me I’ll help talk through it with you. Visit my site at www. Selfpubmadesimple.com.
Thank you, exactly what I needed to hear. After the expense of self-publishing I’m anxious to make my money back. Adds can be frustrating at first. I’ll hang in there!
Extremely helpful. This is the most practical guide to Amazon ads for authors that I've found on RUclips. All the other videos, the hosts spent a lot of time "hyping" their information, but this video actually provided step-by-step information. So appreciated!
That makes me happy to know that my tutorial helped you!
April, this is an OUTSTANDING video! Thank you for the time and energy you invested to make it. Happy writing! 😃
You’re welcome!
I am a not yet published newby and I have watched read books about Amazon ads and watched videos too but this is the first video that I really understand. At last, it all makes sense, when my first book comes out, thanks to this video I will know how it works and what to do when it comes to my turn to advertise. Thank you. Your clarity has lifted a vail from me. I can see it clearly at last.
Thank you John. That is a great complement and making hard things simple is what I strive to do!
one of the better videos on this subject! Thanks!
Aw thanks Ingrid!
I followed your advice, April, and went from my orginal Amazon search which hit 100,00 down to 448! Thanks!
Keep practicing and you’ll do great!
Good job!
That’s great progress Heather!
Awesome. Great job!
Great job!
Hi, love the video, but I don't see the creative section with the ad preview. Is that discontinued? Thank you
You need to select Custom Text ad and not Standard Ad. The custom text gives you the ability to see that.
@@SelfPubMadeSimple Thank you, April. I will take a look.
@@SelfPubMadeSimple Oh, I see. I think it's only available in American ads, definitely not in the UK.
I've just discovered this channel and I think this is the best channel on amazon ads. You are a fabulous presenter. One thing I'm confused is: you said a person spent $1 to make $3-4; the total ad spent was about $1100 and sales for that was about $4200. But sales is not profit, we need to substract the print cost of the book and ad spent, right?
Do you have or can you make a video that focuses on math calculations to get the profit number?
You are right but don’t forget that there are also sales that don’t register on the ad dashboard but are contributed to from ads (some come in as organic and some as hardcover sales on Ingram Spark if you are running ads to paperback but also have linked hardcover listings that don’t count on the dashboard). Brand recognition and sales of other books in your bookshelf can also contribute. It is good to gather all this information and get a true ROI for sure!
thank you SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!
You’re welcome Deja!
The new interface has Ad groups now when you set up a campaign. How do we deal with that? Thanks!
I just leave it with one ad group. Keep it simple!
Do you have to create the text inserts in a different software then insert them in your video or do you does your video editing-creating software have that option? What do you use? I like your occasional BIG TEXT inserts!
My video editor does that for me. I’m not sure what she uses but I do sometimes create with Camtasia and you can add text. Same with iMovie and others.
@@SelfPubMadeSimple Thank you.
This was a very helpful video. What is a good ACOS to have? Yours is really low and amazing, but mine are between 60-70%. I just started running ads, but I am trying to bring the ad spend down. Also, where it says "sales" is that the total book cost or net profit cost that is going to you?
ACOS is not the most important metric and can actually be quite misleading. If you use Ingram Spark, for example, none of those sales show up in your ad dashboard. I had one author who sells thousands of hardcover childrens books through Ingram and even those he has a high ACOS, it isn’t really once you factor other sales in.
Your ads also drive organic sales as well. Just try turning off ads and watch your kdp sales tank… even though you thought you were bringing a ton of organic sales in. It is hard to explain why, but it is true.
So my best advice is add up your royalties every month (kdp, Ingram, seller central if you have it), profits on your website sales or at events. Once you have that amount you brought in, subtract your expenses (ad spend, event fees, promotions, etc.) and the amount that remains is your profit for the month. Keep track of that and work on ways to continue growing that.
Thank you for your great video. It is very useful and gives us hope (I mean for the begginers in Amazon ADS). I have a question about your data in video. Your SPEND is 1181$, SALES - 4256$, and ORDERS 332. That means the price for 1 book is around 12$. Asuming your royalty for one book is around 4$, your profit is: 1328 - 1181$ =147$, and if you earn 5$, it is 479$. When you say that for 1$ invested, you gain 3-4$, what do you mean? Sales or profit?
I was referring to sales but you are correct that it is not all profit.
@@SelfPubMadeSimple Ok. Thank you 🙂
@@virgilruncan you’re welcome!
Very helpful video, many thanks.
One question: When doing a Sponsored Ads - Manual targeting - Keywords Ads, can you use ASIN numbers as your keywords? I think I understood that as a "yes" in the video, but just looking to confirm.
Thank you.
You would use a product ad to target Asins not keyword. You could use an asin but people don’t usually search for asin numbers.
@@SelfPubMadeSimple Thanks!
April this was super helpful! As usual you are sooo generous with your content! We just released our Dzogchen books for kids on Amazon, and were bestsellers in new releases in Buddhism Children's Books and so I was wondering how to go about advertising as a next step! I think we'll start with that phrase and like you say have new ideas as we go along! Thank you, from Celine
Before advertising make sure you have built up some reviews (25 or more ideally) so you have some social proof and also add A+ content (see my videos on that if you don’t understand what that is or how to do it).
Then… start Amazon ads. If you want to set up some time with me I’ll help talk through it with you. Visit my site at www. Selfpubmadesimple.com.
@@SelfPubMadeSimple Thank you so much you are a star! I'll be in touch
Thank you, exactly what I needed to hear. After the expense of self-publishing I’m anxious to make my money back. Adds can be frustrating at first. I’ll hang in there!
Yes, you can do it. Grab time on my calendar if you'd like some help! calendly.co/april-cox/free-consult
Yes. Keep at it. Grab time on my calendar if you’d like to chat! Www.selfpubmadesimple.com
You’ve got this!
You can do it!
You can do it!
I’m there ! :-D
Awesome!
Awesome!
Awesome!
Awesome!
Great!
these sound effects are very annoying
Sorry - thanks for the feedback.
@@SelfPubMadeSimple i liked the content otherwise. Keep it up