Authors: 8 essential KindleBoards tips

[Harvey]

KindleBoards Tips and FAQ for authors

Authors: get to know these tips and tools available on KindleBoards:

1. Forum rules. What are the forum rules for how I promote my book?

KindleBoards is a great place for authors to promote their work. But before you post, know our rules of Forum Decorum.

2. Clickable book covers in your posts. How do I put a linked book cover in my post?

You can make book cover links,and text links, for your book using our Link-Maker.

You can use it for items other than books, too - you can make image links for almost anything available on Amazon.

(We also have a U.K. version.)

3. Signatures. How do I make a signature that includes clickable images of my book covers?

Click here for a tutorial on how to make linked text and book cover graphics in your forum siggy.

4. Online samples of your books. How do I let readers open an online sample of my book?

One easy way is to use our sample page. Just put your book's ASIN into the following link:
http://www.kindleboards.com/sample/?asin=XXXXXXXXXX  

Got questions about this? Here's more info.

5. Profile page for your book. How do I get a profile page for my book?

A profile page is a clean web page for your book - with no distracting links or menu options. Everything on the page is all about your book. And, we've already provided it for your book - just put your ASIN into the following link:
http://www.kindleboards.com/book/?asin=XXXXXXXXXX

You can even customize it with an author control panel, to add other links to your book, video trailers, and more. Comments or questions? Chime in here.

6. Appear on our KB Books page. How do I get my book to appear on the KB Books page?

This is easy... you just have to customize your book's Profile Page using the author control panel, described above. This thread has more info.

7. Advertising on KB. How can I advertise my book on KindleBoards?

There are two ways, and they both have sign-up forms available at the bottom of any forum page:

  - You can sign up for your book to be our KB Featured Book with the form at the bottom of any forum page. (Here's more info.)

  - You can run a full 728x90 banner ad for your book on KindleBoards. (Here's more info.)

8. Recommend a book. Is there an easy way for readers (or me) to recommend my book through Facebook or Twitter?

Yes. Use our "Like it!" page: http://www.kindleboards.com/like

[SUZEPARIS]

WHAT IS MY ASIN? I am not certain what it stands for nor where to find it. Thanks.

[Harvey]

An ASIN is the 10-character identifier that Amazon uses to identify your book. You can see it in the "Product Details" area of your Amazon page. Example: the ASIN for the Kindle edition of "Half Broke Horses" is B002PMVQCW.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

KindleBoards Tips and FAQ for authors
How do I get a profile page for my book? A profile page is a clean web page for your book - with no distracting links or menu options. Everything on the page is all about your book. And, we've already provided it for your book - just put your ASIN into the following link:
http://www.kindleboards.com/book/?asin=XXXXXXXXXX
Comments or questions? Chime in here.

I am new and please bear with me. 
What do you exactly do with the profile page of your book?  Where do you use it for max exposure of your title.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

I am new and please bear with me. 
What do you exactly do with the profile page of your book?  Where do you use it for max exposure of your title.

I think I got it. It's cool and thanks a lot, Harvey. You mean something like this on these boards or other places on the web:
http://www.kindleboards.com/book/?asin=B003T9UX9M

[MikeAngel]

 ???Why create yet another serial number for each book? Why not simply use the ISBN number? Oh, maybe some don't have one for their book.

Never mind... 

[Harvey]

???Why create yet another serial number for each book? Why not simply use the ISBN number? Oh, maybe some don't have one for their book.

Never mind... 

Actually Amazon uses a unique ASIN for all of their products, not just books. It's basically their internal stock number.

[LeeleeSchubert]

Harvey, this is my first day on Kindle Boards and I think I broke several rules of the Forum Decorum. Where do I go to apologize?

Also, how do I get my signature at the end of my post?


Leelee

[LeeleeSchubert]

Oh, I guess it's already there...

[Harvey]

I think you're okay - thanks Leelee. - Harvey

[Rosina]

I am dazed, confused and new. But beginning to find my way around the Writers' Cafe and grateful for any help

[Harvey]

Updated the OP to provide a link to the new Facebook / Twitter book recommendation page on KindleBoards.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

KindleBoards Tips and FAQ for authors
7. Recommend a book. Is there an easy way for readers (or me) to recommend my book through Facebook or Twitter?
Yes. Use our "Like it!" page: http://www.kindleboards.com/like

This is totally new and neat tip I have seen. Thanks a million Harvey.

Here I got the URL but don't know what to do with it.
http://www.kindleboards.com/like/index.php?Keywords=Dr+Sukhraj+Dhillon&Action=Search&ItemPage=1

Just share this URL or something else to do with it. Excuse my ignorant about promotional stuff. Thanks.

[Casper Parks]

Thanks for this wonderful site. Looking forward to getting to know it and people here.

[ThatGurlthatlife]

I love my new signature. I quick copy and past of HTML or BBC code and every forum post now offers everyone the option to read the first five chapters of my book just by clicking, follow me on twitter, check out a complete author bio, and see my cover and pages comes to life with animation. It automatically attaches to every email that I send through google chrome, and I'm currently trying to see if there is a signature app on my droid where I can use this same signature
Technology is really amazing! I basically just typed into google what I wanted to do and found three easy sites that did it for me within minutes! I'm still trying to get the hang of the marketing game, but this definitely helps!

[kempton.mooney]

Thanks for the tips, very helpful. I did not know about the sample and book pages.

I do wish Amazon would just use an ISBN rather than their own internal ASIN, but I think it is one of their many techniques to control the traditional supply chain. It makes everyone have to conform to their standard. But I digress...

Just to show that I learned something, here's a sample from my book:
http://www.kindleboards.com/sample/?asin=B0050OJ4GC

And here's a profile page:
http://www.kindleboards.com/book/?asin=B0050OJ4GC

[Harvey]

Looks good, Kempton!

[GerrieFerrisFinger]

Hi, I'm one of the new Kindle authors feeling my way around the site. I've already learned a few things and I'm going to work on doing a signature.

[Lee Rogers]

Harvey, two questions from a newbie to the boards:

1. How is the NEW link (in the white box) generated in posts on the front page of any forum, and what is the purpose?

2. What does "Topic you have posted in" icon mean (in left column). I got this on a post and I don't know what it means. It did not seem to apply to that post.

Thanks

[Harvey]

Harvey, two questions from a newbie to the boards:

1. How is the NEW link (in the white box) generated in posts on the front page of any forum, and what is the purpose?

That "NEW" icon appears for any threads that have new posts since the last time you viewed the thread. Once you view the latest page of posts in that thread, that icon goes away.

2. What does "Topic you have posted in" icon mean (in left column). I got this on a post and I don't know what it means. It did not seem to apply to that post.

Thanks

That icon appears for any threads in which you have made a post.

[Meb Bryant]

Harvey, I just saw my profile page. I'm embarrassed to say, I got teary-eyed. Thank you, sir.

[Theresaragan]

okay, I think I'm getting this. Thanks so much for all of the great info.

[Harvey]

Harvey, I just saw my profile page. I'm embarrassed to say, I got teary-eyed. Thank you, sir.

Thanks, Meb! Your covers look great in that large format:

http://www.kindleboards.com/book/?asin=B004XMQKSW
http://www.kindleboards.com/book/?asin=B0055T7FZ4

[Meb Bryant]

Thank you, Harvey! My daughter, who owns a design/marketing company, designed the covers for me because she loves me, and I babysit the munchin. lol Munchin was my technical adviser for the Monster Spray child.

Meb

[Tara Maya]

I love my new signature. I quick copy and past of HTML or BBC code and every forum post now offers everyone the option to read the first five chapters of my book just by clicking, follow me on twitter, check out a complete author bio, and see my cover and pages comes to life with animation. It automatically attaches to every email that I send through google chrome, and I'm currently trying to see if there is a signature app on my droid where I can use this same signature
Technology is really amazing! I basically just typed into google what I wanted to do and found three easy sites that did it for me within minutes! I'm still trying to get the hang of the marketing game, but this definitely helps!

Your signature is very cool!