by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I have seen some pretty pitiful bios on Amazon…usually when I’m looking for contact info because there is no contact info on the author’s website or blog. This makes me realize that there might be a need for a basic reminder to check on your author page on Amazon.
Most writers are on the KDP dashboard a lot, checking on sales or adding new books. But how often do you check your author page to make sure it’s up to date and has all the information readers are looking for?
Contact Information to Include in a Bio:
Your newsletter signup link. This is a great way to announce releases and keep readers updated.
Include a link to your website. Your website will give readers another opportunity to sign up for your newsletter as well as give them a showcase of your available books and formats.
Include a social media link. I think some bios get a little link-heavy (especially since these links aren’t hyperlinked), but I think a listing of a Facebook or Twitter contact info can be good, especially worked in naturally. As an example, here is Lee Child’s:
Find out more about Lee Child and the Reacher novels on his official website: LeeChild.com, on Facebook LeeChildOfficial, on Twitter #LeeChildReacher, and YouTube leechildjackreacher.
While you’re there, is there anything else you need to do?
Update your bio? When was the last time you updated it there? I had to change mine recently as I was referencing myself as the mother of ‘two teenaged children.’ And I have a 21 year old. :) That’s now changed to ‘mother of two.’
Connect your blog to your author page? I like my author page to look dynamic and connecting your blog (if it’s kept updated) is a great way to do this.
Upload pictures? It can be a good way to help readers connect with you/your life/your pets.
Upload videos? Again, this is another nice way to connect. You could upload a video of you speaking to the reader directly about your series, do a reading, or even upload a book trailer.
Going a step farther, you can set up your author page on international Amazon sites:
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- UK – https://authorcentral.amazon.co.uk
- German – https://authorcentral.amazon.de/
- France – https://authorcentral.amazon.fr/
- Japan – https://authorcentral.amazon.co.jp/
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For further reading and step-by-step instructions on setting up these elements, see this article by Dave Chesson.
Have you checked in on your Amazon Author page lately?
Tips for a Better Amazon Author Central Page: Share on XPhoto on Visualhunt
My publisher sent out a reminder last year to update our Amazon profiles almost exactly the way you said to do. I am good to go!
You have a very sharp publisher!
I did indeed send an email to everyone after listening to a session from last year’s Publishing University. That newsletter signup is important and should come first.
You were smart to make sure that everyone was onboard with that!
Thanks for the reminder of Amazon Central, Elizabeth. It is a good place to have a presence, and there are several options for the way you can keep a presence there. I ought to look over my own author space and make sure it’s updated…
It’s easy to forget because we’re on the Amazon site so frequently…but just maybe not on our page there.
Great article as always!
Thanks, Dave!
Hi Elizabeth .. it’s always being aware, empathetic to what’s going on in the world, but more importantly being professional – as you are … thanks for this – cheers Hilary
Thanks for the kind words, Hilary! Have a great week. :)