4. How to Write Book Metadata That Gets You Into Libraries and Bookstores

Think of metadata as your book's real estate listing in the MLS system. Without complete and accurate listing details, your beautiful book home remains invisible to potential buyers in the vast marketplace of other book homes.

Let’s get into how this metadata magic works:

First, BISAC codes function as your property's neighborhood and type. These subject codes tell librarians exactly where in the library your book belongs. Choosing the right codes is crucial—if you categorize your cozy Victorian mystery as a modern romance, buyers searching for mysteries will never see your listing.

Your professional book description is like your property's features and amenities. Librarians scan these descriptions looking for specific terms relevant to their collections and community needs. Vague or poorly written descriptions are like listing a house without mentioning the number of bedrooms—it makes your book much harder to find and evaluate.

Age ranges and reading levels are like identifying whether your property is a family home, starter condo, or retirement community. Libraries organize collections by audience, and without clear indicators of who your book is for, it may end up in the wrong section—or not purchased at all.

Professional review quotes are like your property's home inspection report. They validate your book's value to acquisition librarians who need to justify their purchasing decisions. These endorsements essentially tell librarians, "Yes, this book home is structurally sound and worth the investment!"

The slide above shows exactly how metadata works for your book. Notice how this home listing doesn't just say "nice house for sale" - it's packed with specific, searchable details that help the right buyers find it.

Look at the property description: "stunning 1929 classic Georgian Colonial," "picturesque Page neighborhood," "five bedrooms and five bathrooms," "primary bedroom includes a gas fireplace." These aren't random details - they're carefully chosen keywords that appeal to specific buyers looking for exactly these features.

Think about your Victorian mystery novel in the same way. Just as this listing highlights "1929," "Georgian Colonial," and "gas fireplace" for home buyers, your metadata should specify "Victorian-era," "amateur detective," and "small village setting" for mystery readers. These specific keywords in your BISAC codes and description help readers who love that particular type of mystery find your book.

Without these details, it's like having that gorgeous home but forgetting to mention it has five bedrooms or a fireplace - the perfect buyers who are specifically searching for those features will never find it!

And just like nobody searches real estate listings for "building with rooms," nobody searches for books with "story and characters." The specificity is what connects your book with its perfect readers.

Remember, no matter how beautiful your book cover or compelling your story, if your metadata is incomplete or inaccurate, it's like having a gorgeous home that's unlisted. Potential buyers simply won't discover it in their searches.

When filling out your information on IngramSpark, Bowker, or Draft2Digital, take the time to complete every listing field thoroughly and accurately.

This might seem tedious, but it's one of the most important marketing tasks you'll do for reaching library and bookstore markets.

After all, even dream homes, even the best of the best books, don't sell if buyers can't find them!