As an independent author who self-publishes, keyword research is essential for optimizing your book’s online visibility. By using relevant keywords in your book’s title, description, and other marketing materials, you can improve your book’s search engine ranking and attract more potential readers. Here are some best practices for keyword research as a self-published author:

1. Use keyword research tools: There are many keyword research tools available, such as Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. These tools can help you identify relevant keywords related to your book’s genre, plot, and themes. Use them to find high-volume, low-competition keywords that you can use in your marketing materials.
2. Focus on long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are phrases that are more specific and have a lower search volume than broad keywords. They are easier to rank for and are more likely to attract readers who are looking for exactly what your book offers. Use long-tail keywords in your book’s title, description, and other marketing materials.
3. Research your competition: Look at other authors who write in your genre and see what keywords they are using. This can help you identify potential keywords that you may have overlooked and get an idea of what readers are searching for.
4. Use keyword-rich descriptions: Your book’s description is a great place to use keywords. Write a compelling, keyword-rich description that accurately reflects your book’s content and includes relevant keywords. This will help your book show up in search engine results when readers are searching for books in your genre.
5. Use keywords in your book’s title and subtitle: Your book’s title and subtitle are important places to use keywords. Include relevant keywords in your title and subtitle to help your book show up in search engine results when readers are searching for books in your genre.
6. Monitor and adjust: Once you’ve identified relevant keywords, monitor their performance and adjust your strategy as needed. Keep an eye on your book’s search engine ranking and adjust your keywords and marketing materials as needed to improve your visibility.

By following these best practices for keyword research, you can improve your book’s online visibility and attract more potential readers as a self-published author. Remember to stay focused on your target audience, use long-tail keywords, research your competition, use keyword-rich descriptions, use keywords in your book’s title and subtitle, and monitor and adjust your strategy as needed.