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Writer's Haven => Marketing Loft [Public] => Topic started by: VanessaC on December 30, 2018, 10:18:44 PM

Title: Basic guide to AMS / Amazon ads?
Post by: VanessaC on December 30, 2018, 10:18:44 PM
Does anyone know of any handy (and free!) guides for AMS / Amazon ads?

I've tried looking at the help section on KDP but although it's good at describing what they are, I remain confused.  (I'm easily confused about tech stuff, marketing, and so on ...)

Unfortunately not in a position to pay for a course like Mark Dawson's at present - hopefully in future - but wondered if there were any reputable "how to" guides that others here had found useful?

Thanks
Title: Re: Basic guide to AMS / Amazon ads?
Post by: ashleycapes on December 30, 2018, 10:47:23 PM
Have you seen this one, Vanessa?

https://kindlepreneur.com/ams-book-advertising-course/


I think the blog post used to be mostly written info (or I'm mixing it up in my meomory with something else) but Dave is a pretty ace guy and I think the videos are all still relevant in explaining some of the key first steps. There's an attached course that's free but the article and short vids are a good start, I reckon :)
Title: Re: Basic guide to AMS / Amazon ads?
Post by: VanessaC on December 30, 2018, 11:27:06 PM
Have you seen this one, Vanessa?

https://kindlepreneur.com/ams-book-advertising-course/


I think the blog post used to be mostly written info (or I'm mixing it up in my meomory with something else) but Dave is a pretty ace guy and I think the videos are all still relevant in explaining some of the key first steps. There's an attached course that's free but the article and short vids are a good start, I reckon :)

Thank you!  That looks ideal - short, bite-sized chunks and very clearly explained. 

Title: Re: Basic guide to AMS / Amazon ads?
Post by: LilyBLily on December 30, 2018, 11:58:02 PM
Mark Dawson has a short free Kindle book on AMS ads available on Amazon, but the big changes in AMS/AA probably are not reflected in it; that is, it may not have been updated. Key is the change in the dashboard options when setting up the ads. Another very significant change is the AA suggested bids are two to three times higher than before--and in live ads those high keyword bids seem to be sustained. Which puts being able to advertise on AA economically at risk, IMO.

I've been doing these ads successfully for the past two years and have achieved consistent sales on titles that were doing nothing and I have gotten sales for new stand-alone titles in well-defined markets. Those ads stopped spending much money a few months ago but still produce sales. My most recent ad, however, which I started this week, has acted like a Facebook ad--spent a huge amount of money without good results, and with enormous keyword costs. This is not the way these ads used to work. The AA dashboard of course doesn't show any sales at all yet, but my KDP dashboard clearly shows them, and they are pitiful.

I'm fine with pay to play. That's what I've been doing for the past couple of years. But when the dollar amounts and the results go wacky, I'm concerned.

I've recently experimented yet again with FB ads and I can't say they're performing any better than they ever have, that is, they cost too much for too little result. This despite endless efforts to improve my sales copy and visuals and getting the best advice from numerous FB ad gurus. 
Title: Re: Basic guide to AMS / Amazon ads?
Post by: Tom Wood on December 31, 2018, 12:14:52 AM
David Gaughran gives away his book Amazon Decoded:

https://davidgaughran.com/

It may need some updates to reflect recent changes in AMS/AA, but he stays pretty current.