6 Tips to prepare you for Christmas on Amazon

By Sharon Fussell, September 16, 2011

This week I listed a batch of Christmas-themed books, most of which I had been putting by throughout the year purposely to list for Christmas on Amazon.

Now, you should remember: just because a book has ‘Christmas’ in the title, or a Christmas scene on the cover, does not mean the book will sell at Christmas time or indeed any time.

So, ensure you do not pay over the odds just because an item has a Christmas theme – in most cases it will not mean you can ask a higher premium price.

Be sure to check out the ISBNs and sales rankings of any book before you buy (unless you can purchase very cheaply, i.e. for pennies!)

Boost your profits this Christmas on Amazon with these simple tips:

• Make sure items are in pristine condition
• Games/toys, factory wrapped where possible
• No names or gift inscriptions inside
• Ensure items are in demand – check they have good sales rankings, in most cases I recommend rankings of less than 500,000 (unless the book is very niche, in which case the rankings can be higher and it may still sell quickly)
• Good quality niche autobiographies/biographies (for gifts)
• Wrapped DVDs/CDs

To give you an idea I have researched some great products to look for in the next few weeks. Most have very high sales rankings and I would expect them to sell fairly quickly.

Against each product I have put the sales ranking, I have also put an indication of how I would price each product to attract a good price – and quick sale!

Children’s Books

The Night Before Christmas (Pop-up book) [Library Binding]

Robert Sabuda (Author), Clement C. Moore (Author)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 116,491 in Books………..£9+

Letters from Father Christmas [Paperback]

J. R. R. Tolkien (Author)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 14,204 in Books…………£5/£6

Cookery

Delia’s Happy Christmas [Hardcover]

Delia Smith (Author)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,970…………………….£10+

Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities [Hardcover]

Nigella Lawson (Author)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,415 in Books……………….. £14+

Victorian Christmas Cookery (Traditional Country Life Recipe) [Paperback]

Bruce T. Paddock (Author)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 688,030 in Books…………………£18+

DVD

Delia Smith – Ultimate Delia [DVD]

Rated: Exempt | Format: DVD

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 42,965………………………….£24+

Nigella Bites [DVD]

Rated: Exempt | Format: DVD

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 39,350………………………….£20+

Music

The Christmas Carols Book for Easy Guitar [Paperback] Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 577,870 in Books……………………..£8+

The Best Christmas Flute Duet Book

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 973,587…………………….£6+

Crafts

Sewing Season’s Greetings [Paperback]

Carol Zentgraf(Author)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 219,517……………………………….£8+

Swedish Christmas Crafts [Hardcover]

Helene S. Lundberg (Author), Annika S. Hipple (Translator)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 133,938 in Books………………… £7+