Research - Write & Sell Erotica

Hey there! If you're feeling overwhelmed about where to start with keyword research for your erotica books, you're not alone. It can feel like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it's actually pretty straightforward—and it's one of the most important steps you can take to sell more books and grow your audience. Below, I've broken it down into clear, actionable steps to help you get started. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to go from "totally lost" to confidently researching keywords and optimising your work for success. 1. What Is Keyword Research Anyway? Keyword research is finding the specific words or phrases (a.k.a. "key words") that your readers are most likely to type into search bars when looking for books like yours. These keywords help your book show up in search results on Amazon (or other platforms), giving you a chance to reach the right audience. Why Does It Matter for Erotica? Erotica is niche and specific. Readers often look for very particular tropes or themes like "billionaire BDSM" or "lesbian shifter romance." If your book matches what they're looking for but doesn't have the right keywords, it may never get found. It boosts visibility. Without proper keywords, even the best-written erotica might get buried under the avalanche of other books. It connects you to the right readers. Keywords ensure the people who find your book are already interested in that type of story. Think of keywords as a bridge between your book and your ideal reader. 2. Why Is It Hard for New Authors? Many first-time authors don't know where to start or: Use keywords that are too general (like "romance" or "erotica"). Miss out on including important niche-specific phrases. Overlook how much competition exists for commonly searched terms. Don't worry, though—this guide is going to help you pick better keywords that actually work. 3. Getting Started with Keyword Research You don't need fancy tools or expensive software to get started. Here's what to do: Step 1: Identify Your Niche Before you start hunting for keywords, figure out exactly what you're writing. The erotica market is diverse, and knowing your niche is key to connecting with readers. Ask yourself: Is your story focused on a particular trope? (e.g., enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance) Does it include popular themes like vampires, shifters, or BDSM? Are you writing for a specific audience? (e.g., LGBTQ readers, older couples) ✅ Example niche: Steamy billionaire BDSM erotica with a forbidden romance angle. Step 2: Use Amazon's Search Bar Amazon is both a bookstore and a giant search engine—so it's a free and fantastic tool for keyword ideas. Go Incognito. Use a private browsing mode to avoid biased suggestions based on your personal preferences. Search for Tropes. Start typing phrases related to your story into Amazon's search bar. Look at the autocomplete suggestions Amazon gives you. Example search term: "Billionaire BDSM..." Suggested autocomplete phrases might include things like "forbidden billionaire BDSM romance" or "billionaire BDSM short reads." Check the Competition. Click on some of these suggested keywords to see what books are showing up. Note down which ones have a lot of reviews (high competition) versus more niche options. Step 3: Use Free and Paid Tools While Amazon is great, other tools can help you further your research. Free: Google Keyword Planner, Reddit (search popular themes in erotica subreddits), trends reports from sites like Pornhub (no joke, their data on searches can give you insight into what's popular). Paid: If you're ready to invest, tools like Publisher Rocket can show you search volumes and competition for specific keywords on Amazon. 💡 Pro Tip: Start with free resources until you've got a better grasp of what works for you. 4. Common Mistakes to Avoid When starting out, it's easy to make a few rookie mistakes. Here are the big ones and how to avoid them: Mistake #1: Using Keywords That Are Way Too Broad ❌DON'T Use generic categories like "erotica" or "romance". Millions of books compete for those terms, and yours will get buried. ✅ DO Go niche. Use precise phrases that target the right readers, like "reverse harem college romance." Mistake #2: Ignoring Trends ❌DON'T skip researching current trends or popular tropes. If your book aligns with a hot trend, use that to your advantage (e.g., monster romance is huge right now). ✅ DO Stay updated by checking bestseller lists in your genre or active communities like r/EroticaAuthors. Mistake #3: Keyword Stuffing ❌DON'T Squeeze a ton of keywords into your title or description. It looks spammy and turns readers off. ✅ DO Use only 1-2 targeted keywords naturally in your book title and metadata. Practical Tips for Keyword Success Once you've found your keywords, here's how to use them effectively: Integrate Keywords Into Your Title and Subtitle: For example, instead of "Forbidden Desires," try "Billionaire's Forbidden Desires: A Steamy BDSM Romance." Optimise the Book Description: Naturally, weave your keywords into the description. E.g., "This forbidden billionaire BDSM romance will leave you breathless…" Experiment and Update Regularly: Monitor your book's sales and ranking. If it's not performing, tweak the keywords or try targeting a slightly different niche. What If You're Still Stuck? If your first attempt doesn't work, don't panic! Many authors feel discouraged if their books don't sell right away, but persistence is key. Here's what to try: Test and Pivot. If your keywords aren't performing, go back to the research phase. Maybe a different niche or trope is worth targeting. Engage with Communities. Subreddits like r/EroticaAuthors or KBoards are full of experienced authors who share tips and keyword strategies. Keyword research is ever-changing and imperfect. Things will change, and you will get better at finding what works for you. Don't worry about getting it right first time. Final Thoughts Keyword research can seem confusing at first, but it's a great way to get your books noticed faster and by more readers. But it is important not to get bogged down in tiny details. If all else fails, just think about what you would use to find books like yours and start there. The most important thing is to keep writing and keep publishing!