IBPA Publishing University 2025

Optimizing Amazon for Profit
Ian Lamont

Amazon Ads. Kindle Direct Publishing. Amazon Advantage. No matter which way you turn, Amazon is always finding another way to take a bigger slice of the revenue pie ... and leave less for publishers. So how can publishers put some of that money back into their own pockets?

An experienced independent publisher and Amazon seller, Ian Lamont has deep experience with Amazon programs. While he doesn't have a magic wand, he has insights and best practices that can help everyone from independent authors to distributed publishers make more money from sales on Amazon. 

Come prepared with your three biggest concerns about Amazon and your best listening skills. This fast-moving session will leave you with tons of notes and resources, and will feature an opportunity for on-the-spot evaluations of your own Amazon book listings. 
 
Topics will include:

• The 10 Commandments of Amazon 
• Detail Page Optimization for Books 
• Amazon Search Fundamentals
• Best Practices for Amazon Ads
• Navigating Dark Patterns on Amazon     
• Branding on Amazon, from A+ to Amazon Stores

Business Management
Tieshena Davis and Maria Dismondy

For Start Strong Independent Publishers.

Learn the elements of building a strong publishing business, gain strategies for real-time business analysis, and develop the necessary systems and processes to succeed. What’s your business plan? What are your goals? What kinds of sales are you planning for: Libraries, bookstores, online retailers, bulk sales, other? What’s your three-year plan, and beyond?

We’ll review all the key functions of every publishing business, walk through ways to troubleshoot and respond to challenges as your business grows, and explore critical standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the systems and processes you’ll need to run your business day to day, week to week, and year to year. This workshop will include hands-on activities, examples of problem-solving, and time for your questions (and answers!)

Free reception for all conference attendees, as well as our MBPR and MIPA friends.

Come with a recommendation for an indie published book (published by someone else)!