Book Metadata and Title Metadata are Invaluable Tools for Self-Publishers.
Book metadata and title metadata fall under the heading of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), as part of your marketing plan. Think about the title of your book, the different sections and chapters. The book in the image has sections marked with ribbon markers. You build a table of contents so that readers can find subject matter more easily. The same is true when you put your book on your website, or sell it on Amazon.
Self-publishers need to be found, and book metadata is just one of the tools to accomplish more book sales.
Book Metadata is how Search Engines find Your Book
Whether your book is on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, your website, or all of these and more, you need to use title metadata to be found. After all, unless you are a known author or prominent in your field, is the average book buyer going to look for you or your book by name? They are more likely going to search for a genre, subject matter, and the further dial into searches. Self-publishers need to be found, and book metadata is just one of the tools to accomplish this, which means more book sales.
Book Industry Study Group
Head on over to the BISG. There you will find the BISAC Subject Headings List. Determine a major heading and a specific heading.
For example, I am finishing the design for two different books about individual fine artists. I am working with a New York Art Gallery. The books are written by the same author. The author, or publisher in this case, would choose “Art” from this BISAC list, and then select “ART016030 ART / Individual Artists / Monographs”.
You can join as a free member. Remember to read their End User’s License Agreement if you will use the subject heading in title metadata on your site and on Amazon.
Amazon and Book Metadata
Sign up for an author account at Amazon. When you list your book, make use of the keywords that will help searchers to find your book. Use the same keywords for the book on your site as well as on Amazon. If you have a hot topic with keywords like “paleo” or “autoimmune”, you will be found more easily. What keywords can you use to be found in search engines?
Have a Website
Self-publishers need their own website with their own domain. Create your website before you print your book. You need to start building traffic. Authors will have pages and posts that include the book metadata and title metadata. We use WordPress on the Genesis Framework.
Don’t forget to use title metadata as part of the name of any images included on your website.
In Conclusion: Words of Advice
We encourage self-publishers to print the finest books with us, taking advantage of the custom options we offer. Then, sell it on Amazon. Distribution is expensive and quite often not productive. It is disappointing to self-publishers when they discover that they can retain their profit, as well as better books with custom options.
Don’t ever settle for just royalties! Be sure to get a quote from Star Print Brokers!
