5 Metrics to Measure Your Self-Publishing Success [INFOGRAPHIC]

At the end of the day, a business has to be profitable to stay afloat. That’s true of real estate, lemonade stands, or any venture out there, including self-publishing. And the only way to keep growing is to know the numbers. When you’re building your own business for the first time, you might feel pulled in a million different directions and struggle to know where to place your focus. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to five metrics that you can use to measure your self-publishing success. 

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#1: Let’s Get the Obvious Out of the Way — Book Sales 

A recurring deposit or royalty check is probably a pretty good indication that you’re doing something right with your publishing business, but don’t just look at the overall number! Look closely at the reports inside your KDP dashboard to see how your sales compare across the different book formats and which markets your books are doing the best in. The more specific, the better. Certain formats tend to do better than others in certain niches. 

For example, it makes sense that audiobook versions of books by motivational speakers tend to do pretty well because the narration adds a personal element to the reading experience. You simply won’t know until you look at the numbers! 

For the record...it’s okay to have hunches when deciding on your next move for your publishing business, but until you have the data to back ‘em up, they’re just guesses. 

#2: Reviews, Reviews, Reviews 

Getting your first 50 reviews for a newly launched book can be tricky, but we cannot overstate how important it is! The more reviews your book has, the more likely it is to sell itself. 

Fun fact: Even a BAD review can boost your credibility as a publisher by showing potential readers that real humans are reading your book. And one poor review won’t make a dent in an ocean of five-star reviews, as much as it might hurt the first time it happens to you. 

Don’t sweat the small stuff, and keep going!

Read about how to get more book reviews on Amazon here. 

#3: How Engaged Are Your Readers? 

Putting a book review request inside your book is a great litmus test for how much your readers trust you. If they feel like the information you shared has been worth their investment, they’ll be 10x more likely to spread the word and help others connect with your book. 

Here are some quick tips for your Call-to-Action (CTA) book review page: 

• Keep It Simple: Use clear, straightforward language to request a review. Example: "Enjoyed the book? Share your thoughts with a review on Amazon!"
• Explain the Impact: Briefly convey how reviews help increase visibility, help other readers find the book, and support you as an author/publisher. 
• Guide Them: Include a direct link to the review page to make leaving a review as easy as possible.
• Thank Your Readers: Express genuine appreciation for the time spent reading your work and considering leaving a review.
• Be Honest, Not Pushy: Encourage honest feedback. Readers appreciate authenticity and are more likely to respond positively.
• Time It Right: Place your CTA at the end of the book, where the reader’s engagement and satisfaction are likely the highest.

There are tons of free QR-code generators like QRFY!

#4: Frequent Flyers 

A loyal and engaged readership is the best sales and marketing tool of all. These are the readers who become superfans from Book #1 and go on to buy Books #2-#7 in a series. They leave glowing reviews and tell all their friends and family about what they learned from you. They buy box sets and bundles of your books and make sure they have a copy in each format. 

The more your Author Central Profile following grows, the more you can be sure you’re on the right path. 

#5: Secrets of the BSR — Best Seller Rank 

Just like the “New Releases” and “Top 10” shows/movies on Netflix get extra attention, the books with a higher BSR on Amazon tend to make more book sales. 

Although Amazon says that new releases don’t get any special treatment, basic human psychology says otherwise. Most of us have fallen victim to “Shiny Object Syndrome” at some point because we all love new things that capture our attention. 

Here are some ways to increase your BSR on Amazon without breaking any of their terms of service: 

• Launch Strategy: Plan a strong book launch made of the pre-launch, launch, and post-launch. 
• Consistent Marketing: Keep the momentum going with regular marketing efforts. Don’t just set it and forget it!!!
• Amazon Ads: Invest in Amazon advertising to drive clicks and sales from an audience you might not reach organically. 
• Optimize Keywords: Regularly review and update your book’s keywords throughout its description for better search visibility and relevance on Amazon.
• Seek Reviews: Don’t stop prioritizing reviews until you hit at least 100+ per book. 
• Price Promotions: Run limited-time price promotions to boost sales volume and make your book more accessible to a wider audience.
• Bundle Books: Offer your books as part of a bundle or series to encourage multiple purchases and increase overall sales volume.

Note: You will have to enroll your book in KDP Select to access promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions. It’s worth it!

Your Self-Publishing Story Starts Here 

Here are five rapid-fire reasons you might be ready to start self-publishing today: 

1. You’re tired of having a boss. 
2. You’re constantly stressed about your family’s finances. 
3. You’re scared you might not have enough money to retire. 
4. You don’t want to be tied to your desk anymore. 
5. The thought of waking up five years from now and nothing changing is nightmare-inducing. 

‍Come see the #1 Amazon blueprint in action! You never know. This one no-cost webinar might just change your life (and bank account).