Actual Sales Numbers from Amazon Best Sellers

amazon-best-seller
by CJ McDaniel // March 29  

What does it take to become an “Amazon Best Seller”? How do I reach the top of Amazon’s best sellers list?

It doesn’t matter HOW you ask the question, it’s impossible to get a straight answer. Commonly, you will hear: “There is no way to know, because Amazon doesn’t make their book sales numbers public.” But the truth is, plenty of people know. Every person who has become an Amazon best seller knows. But they don’t want YOU to know. In the average reader’s mind, there is no distinguishable difference between an Amazon Best Seller and a New York Times Best Seller. This is exactly why people don’t go flaunting their numbers, because they don’t want every Tom, Dick and Harry to know what is common knowledge to every author: It is much easier to become an Amazon Best Seller than it is a New York Times Best seller. I have spent months hunting down other people’s exact sales numbers, but it doesn’t matter who you ask, you always get the same answer: “We are not currently releasing exact numbers on our book sales.”

It IS hard to become an Amazon Best Seller, but not as hard as you might think. It is extremely discouraging to prepare for a book launch and not know what your target goal is, but I have good news, I am going to share those top secret numbers with you! But first, let me define an Amazon Best Seller.

You might think that if you are in the top 100, you are a bestseller. I disagree, as there are some small categories that don’t even have 100 books, so I personally wouldn’t be impressed with being number 99!

You could refer to yourself as an “Amazon Best Seller” if you get in the 10th place in a category, why not shoot for 5 and above just to get a real sense of accomplishment?

The number 1 spot is really something to be proud of, and some purists believe you can only claim the title of “best selling author” if you reach the top spot in your category.

So here’s the “Secret Sauce”:

100 books in a given day will usually get you in the top ten of your category.
500 books in one day will most likely clench the number one spot in your category.
I know an author who recently topped multiple categories with less than 400 books sold in a day.

So, it won’t be easy, but if you promote well, and convince your body of followers that your new book has worthwhile information, you CAN do it!
Feel free to contact us with your best-selling book numbers, and I will include them in the article.

If you are getting ready to “go for the gold,” consider our book cover design services. We have worked with New York TImes, Amazon, and Barnes and Nobles Best Selling Authors, so we know how to design a cover that converts browsers to buyers.

About the Author

CJ grew up admiring books. His family owned a small bookstore throughout his early childhood, and he would spend weekends flipping through book after book, always sure to read the ones that looked the most interesting. Not much has changed since then, except now some of those interesting books he picks off the shelf were designed by his company!