How To Stand Out On Amazon

How to stand out on Amazon is a major challenge for self-published authors. With millions of books available on Amazon, it’s easy for new authors to feel invisible.

The good news is that authors don’t need a big publisher’s budget to grab attention. With the right strategies, you can make your book shine in a crowded marketplace.

Here are six key ways to stand out.

1. Covers That Convert

Your cover is your first impression, and on Amazon it has to work hard—even at thumbnail size. A strong cover instantly signals your genre and looks professional. Readers scrolling through hundreds of titles will pause if your cover feels familiar to what they already love, while still being eye-catching.

2. Compelling Book Descriptions

Think of your Amazon description as your sales pitch. Use the hook–conflict–stakes–cliffhanger formula, and format it with bold, italics, and line breaks to make it easy to skim. Remember: the first two or three lines are crucial, because that’s what readers see before going on to Read More.

3. Smart Keywords and Categories

Amazon is essentially a search engine for books. By choosing the right keywords—phrases readers actually type into the search bar—you can position your book where it’s most discoverable. Similarly, selecting categories strategically allows your book to rank higher and even hit bestseller lists.

4. Reviews and Social Proof

A book with reviews, even just a handful, has far more credibility than one without. Encourage early readers, beta readers, or a launch team to leave honest reviews. Social proof not only builds trust but also boosts your book’s visibility in Amazon’s algorithms.

5. Consistent Author Branding

Think beyond one book. A professional author bio, a recognizable photo, and covers that share a cohesive look will help readers remember you. When they finish one book, they should instantly recognise your next.

6. Promotions and Advertising

While organic discoverability is the foundation, ads and promotions can provide a boost. Amazon ads, BookBub, Goodreads, and email newsletters are all powerful ways to put your book in front of new readers.

Final Thought

Standing out on Amazon doesn’t happen by luck—it happens by design. By focusing on professional presentation, discoverability, and credibility, self-published authors can compete—and even thrive—on the world’s largest book marketplace.

Do you want to learn more about writing and publishing your book? Then join the Fast Self-Publishing Online Facebook group.

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Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Your Writing Excuses

You know your writing excuses are lying to you. Let’s be brutally honest: the biggest obstacle to writing your book in 30 days isn’t your job, your kids, or your bank account—it’s the comfortable little bundle of excuses you keep wrapped around yourself like a blanket.

You’ve told yourself:

1. “I don’t have time”

Of course you don’t. Nobody does. But you do have minutes—and that’s all you need. Fifteen minutes before work. Twenty in your lunch break. A half-hour before bed instead of scrolling. Do that every day and you’ve got 500–1,000 words. In 30 days, that’s a full draft.

Real people—parents, shift workers, full-timers—have done it. You’re not waiting for time to appear; you’re making it by deciding your book matters more than Netflix tonight.

2. “I’m not a writer”

Neither was J.K. Rowling before she started. “Writer” isn’t a title you’re born with—it’s an identity you earn by sitting down and writing.

Your first draft doesn’t need to be good; it just needs to exist. A bad first draft can be edited. A blank page? Not so much. In 30 days, you won’t just have words—you’ll have the proof that you are a writer, because you wrote a book.

3. “It’s too expensive”

If you think writing a book costs thousands, you’ve been sold a myth. Writing is free.

Editing can be affordable if you shop smart or swap services with another writer. Publishing can cost less than a decent dinner out—especially with self-publishing tools. The “too expensive” excuse often hides fear: fear of failure, fear of judgment. But fear doesn’t pay the bills, and it certainly won’t print your book.

Here’s the truth: writing a book in 30 days isn’t about finding perfect circumstances—it’s about starting anyway. The people who succeed aren’t those with more time, talent, or money. They’re the ones who decided that “someday” wasn’t good enough.

Your book isn’t going to write itself while you wait for the stars to align. In fact, the longer you delay, the more those excuses become your reality.

So here’s your challenge: for the next 30 days, trade your excuses for action. Write daily. Show up messy. Stay uncomfortable. Because at the end of the month, you can have a finished manuscript—or you can still have your excuses. But you can’t have both.

Facebook Group

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Marji Hill

Author and Coach

How To Publish Your Book 

Publishing your book doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the Self-Publishing Genius model, you publish your book professionally, affordably, and efficiently in five clear stages. Read on to learn how to take your manuscript from idea to global availability.

1. Write Your Manuscript

Everything begins with the manuscript. Don’t worry about perfection in your first draft—just get the words down. This is your creative stage, where the goal is to write your story or content from beginning to end. Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, memoir, or guidebooks, commit to daily writing and finish your draft.  

2. Prepare Your Manuscript for Publication

Once the manuscript is complete, it’s time to refine it. This stage includes editing, proofreading, formatting, and designing your cover. Editing ensures your message is clear; proofreading catches any lingering typos. Formatting prepares your manuscript for print and digital platforms, ensuring it meets professional publishing standards. A great cover design is essential—it’s your book’s first impression and can make or break your sales.

3. Outsource to a Virtual Team of Professionals

You don’t have to do it all yourself. The Self-Publishing Genius model encourages authors to outsource key tasks to qualified freelancers. Hire an editor, proofreader, formatter, and cover designer through platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. This gives your book the polish it needs without you having to become an expert in every field.

4. List Your Book and Publish

Now you’re ready to publish. Upload your files to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark.

• Amazon KDP gives you high royalties (up to 70% on eBooks, 60% on print), global reach, and complete control over your content and pricing. Your book becomes available on the world’s largest book marketplace—Amazon.com and its international sites.
• IngramSpark offers access to over 40,000 retailers and libraries, including bookstores, schools, and institutions that may not order from Amazon. It increases your distribution network beyond what Amazon alone can provide.

By publishing on both platforms, you gain maximum reach and visibility.

5. Marketing

Marketing is where many self-publishers struggle, but it’s vital. Start with a strong launch plan: build an email list, create a launch team, and plan social media content. Use Amazon categories and keywords to boost discoverability. Promote through author websites, newsletters, podcasts, and local events. Remember, visibility drives sales.

Bonus: Print-on-Demand

Both Amazon KDP and IngramSpark offer print-on-demand (POD), meaning your book is printed only when someone orders it. You don’t need to pay for or store inventory, and there’s no risk of overprinting. This lowers the barrier to entry and makes publishing accessible to everyone.

Benefits of POD include:

• Zero upfront print costs
• No storage or shipping logistics
• Environmentally friendly (no excess stock)
• Fast delivery to readers worldwide

With the Self-Publishing Genius model, you can publish professionally and confidently. Follow these steps, trust the process, and share your book with the world.

Free Online Class

To learn more about publishing your book, register for my free, online, live class. Secure your place now by clicking the green button below.

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

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Writing On Steroids

Your writing no longer has to feel overwhelming or isolating. Supercharge your writing career with tools like ChatGPT at your fingertips. It’s like writing on steroids!

The entire process—from the seed of an idea to launching your book—is now more streamlined, affordable, and creative than ever before. Read on to learn how this powerful AI assistant can become your secret weapon at every stage of your writing and self-publishing journey.

1. Brainstorming & Idea Generation

Staring at a blank page? ChatGPT can help spark ideas for fiction plots, nonfiction topics, character development, or even chapter titles. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining a vague concept, you can bounce ideas around until something clicks.

2. Outlining & Structure

Once you’ve got your idea, ChatGPT can help you map out a clear, chapter-by-chapter outline. For fiction, it can guide you through classic story arcs or genre expectations. For nonfiction, it helps organise your knowledge into a logical, reader-friendly flow. It’s like having a developmental editor on standby.

3. Writing Support

Need help getting the words flowing? You can use ChatGPT to draft sections, suggest opening lines, or overcome writer’s block. Many authors use it to create rough first drafts and then revise in their own voice. It’s not about replacing your creativity—it’s about keeping the momentum going.

4. Editing & Refining

ChatGPT can assist with grammar checks, sentence clarity, tone adjustments, and rephrasing clunky paragraphs. You can also ask it to mimic a certain style, making your work more consistent. While it’s not a replacement for a human editor, it’s a smart first pass that saves time and money.

5. Blurbs, Bios & Descriptions

Stuck writing your back cover blurb? ChatGPT can generate several versions in different tones—from suspenseful to inspiring. It also helps polish your author bio, Amazon product descriptions, and metadata—all key elements in grabbing readers’ attention.

6. Marketing & Launch Planning

From writing social media posts and email campaigns to suggesting launch timelines and press release ideas, ChatGPT helps indie authors act like professional marketers—without the stress. It can even brainstorm lead magnets, bonus content, or book club questions.

In short, ChatGPT is like having a 24/7 writing assistant, editor, and marketing coach rolled into one. Used wisely, it empowers writers and self-publishers to move faster, stay motivated, and bring their best work to the world.

Free Online Class

If you need help writing and self-publishing your book, then learn more in my free, online, live class. Secure your place now by clicking the green button below.

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

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How To Finish Your First Draft

How to finish your first draft involves conquering distraction, perfectionism, and procrastination.

Writing a book is thrilling—until it isn’t. You start full of inspiration, but somewhere between chapter three and “The End,” distraction creeps in, perfectionism takes over, and procrastination steals your time.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The first draft is the most critical step, and also the hardest to finish.

But here’s how you can push past the mental clutter and get it done.

1. Distraction

Distractions are the enemy of momentum. One moment you’re writing, the next you’re deep in a rabbit hole, scrolling your phone, checking out social media or side-tracked by some other research.

Create a dedicated writing space, turn off notifications, and try writing sprints. Set an alarm clock for 25 minutes and write without stopping. You’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make when you permit yourself to focus.

2. Perfectionism 

Perfectionism is not your editor—it’s your enemy

Your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t even need to be good. It just needs to exist.

Think of your first draft as a piece of clay: you can’t sculpt a masterpiece without something to shape. Do not revise the same paragraph ten times. Write it once, move on, and return to polish it later.

Give yourself grace—your future self will thank you for just getting the words down.

3. Procrastination

Beat Procrastination with structure and micro-goals.

Procrastination thrives in vague goals. Saying “I’ll write this week” is too open-ended. Instead, set specific, small goals: “I’ll write 500 words in two hours  and I’ll complete this before lunch”, or “I’ll finish a 2000-word Chapter 7 by Friday.”

Reward yourself when you hit those goals—whether it’s a favourite snack, a walk, or a guilt-free Netflix episode.

Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your pace steady.

4. Your Why

Reconnect with your why.

When the grind wears you down, remind yourself why you started this journey. Is it to share your story, help your business, inspire others, or finally say “I wrote a book”?

Print your “why” and stick it near your writing space. Every time you feel like quitting, look at it. Let it be your anchor.

Finishing your first draft isn’t about having more time or better talent—it’s about building a habit, being kind to yourself, and showing up consistently.

So take a deep breath, open your document, and write the next sentence. You’ve got this.

Free Online Class

If you decide that writing and self-publishing your book is for you, learn more about it in my free, online, live class. Secure your place now by clicking the green button below.

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

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Non-Fiction Book Research

Writing a non-fiction book requires more than just inspiration—it demands thorough and accurate research. Whether you’re writing a biography, self-help guide, or history, the strength of your content depends heavily on how well you research your subject.

Here are some effective strategies for non-fiction book research to help you gather solid, credible material for your next project.

1. Start with a Clear Outline

Before diving into research, create a rough outline of your book. Break it down by chapters or themes and identify what questions need answers. This will keep your research focused and prevent you from getting lost in unrelated information.

2. Use a Variety of Sources

Don’t rely on just one type of source. Use books, academic journals, reputable websites, podcasts, documentaries, and interviews. Aim for a balance between primary sources (original documents, first-hand accounts) and secondary sources (analysis or commentary from experts).

3. Organised Notes

Organising your notes boosts productivity and clarity. Start by categorising content by topic or project. Use digital tools or notebooks with clear headings, bullet points, and dates. Colour-coding can highlight priorities. Regularly review and update your notes to keep them relevant and useful for future reference. Stay consistent and structured.

4. Interview Experts

Direct interviews can add depth and credibility to your writing. Reach out to professionals, academics, or people with lived experience in your subject area. Prepare thoughtful questions and be respectful of their time. Always ask for permission to quote them in your work.

5. Evaluate Source Credibility

In the internet age, not all information is reliable. Stick to trusted publications, peer-reviewed journals, and authoritative voices in the field. Avoid unverified blogs, forums, or social media unless you’re using them as examples of public sentiment or trends.

6. Stay Up-To-Date

If your topic involves current events or trends, make sure your data is up to date. At the same time, give historical context where needed. Understanding how things evolved helps readers grasp the full picture.

7. Know When to Stop Researching

It’s easy to fall into a research rabbit hole. At some point, you need to move from gathering information to writing. Set deadlines to transition from research to outlining and drafting.

Good research sets your book apart and builds trust with your readers. With a thoughtful, organised approach, you’ll be able to deliver content that’s both informative and compelling.

Learn More

If you decide that self-publishing your book is for you, learn more about it in my free, online, live class. Secure your place now by clicking the green button below.

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

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Publish On A Budget 

Publishing your book doesn’t have to be expensive. You can publish on a budget.

In fact, with the right tools and a bit of resourcefulness, you can publish a professional-looking book for no cost; certainly for under $200.

But you have to decide your budget.

DIY

If you have the right skills you can publish all yourself. You don’t have to outsource a lot of the work.

If you’re an artist, you can create your own cover. If you’re tech savvy, you can do your own formatting. You can self-edit by using AI. Learn as much as you can from free resources and figure out which parts of the process you can do without hiring someone. 

If you DIY its possible to publish your book for zero cost.

Let’s break down the process – step by step.

Writing the manuscript

Writing your book is free if you’re using tools like Google Docs or Word.

Editing

For editing, instead of hiring a professional editor right away, start with self-editing using tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid (both have free versions) or experiment with AI.

Another way to get your book edited is to swap services with other writers.

Formatting

You don’t need expensive software to format your book. You can get your book formatted on Fiverr for under $100.

Book Cover Design

A compelling cover is key—but you don’t have to spend hundreds. You can use Canva with its free book cover templates.    

Publishing Platforms

Amazon KDP allows you to publish both eBooks and paperbacks with no upfront cost. You only pay a portion of your royalties after you make sales. For wider book distribution you can use IngramSpark which is free 

Marketing

You can start building buzz about your book for free. Use social media, create a basic email list with Mailerlite, and connect with readers on platforms like Goodreads. Reach out to book bloggers, join Facebook author groups, or offer Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) in exchange for honest reviews.

Publishing on a budget is totally doable. With smart planning and the right tools, you can release a book you’re proud of—without breaking the bank.

Next Step

If you are ready to write and publish your book reserve your free ticket now for my exclusive online class.

Kickstart your self-publishing journey.

Register for free right here by clicking the green button below.

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