Write to Market: Research Erotica & Profit on Amazon

When I started writing erotica, I had no idea what “writing to market” really meant. I thought I could just follow my inspiration and trust that readers would find my stories somehow. It didn’t work out that way. Over time, I realised that success, especially when you’re writing steamy short romances to sell on Amazon, requires more than creativity. You need strategy.

Writing to market isn’t about limiting your creativity—it’s about understanding what readers want and writing stories that they are excited to read. By focusing on market demand, you not only please your audience but also find it easier to make sales and build loyal readers. Here’s how I learned to do it—and how you can too.

What Is Writing to Market?

At its core, writing to market means aligning your creative output with what’s popular and profitable within your target genre. It doesn’t mean selling out; it means understanding your audience’s preferences and crafting stories that get them hooked.

I used to struggle because I didn’t realise this. I wrote stories I thought everyone would enjoy—big mistake. No book can please everyone. Those early attempts floated aimlessly on Amazon, with no clear audience in mind. If you focus on a specific niche, you’ll see much faster results.

Actionable Tip: Conduct a mindset shift. Ask yourself, “What do readers in this genre crave?” Think of your role not just as a writer but also as a provider of joy or escape through stories.

Step-by-Step Guide to Market Research

Step 1 – Start with Your Audience

Your audience is the foundation of everything you’ll create. Steamy romance readers often look for specific emotional payoffs—intense chemistry, dramatic relationship hurdles, and satisfying resolutions. Key tropes like enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, and billionaire romances dominate this niche because they evoke strong emotions and provide escape.

I didn’t realise this initially and wasted a lot of time writing stories without identifying my ideal reader. You need to define your audience before you start writing.

Actionable Steps:

  1. Create a Reader Avatar: Write down who your target reader is. Specify their preferences, favourite tropes, and even their habits (e.g., do they binge-read on Kindle Unlimited?).
  2. Join Romance Writing Communities: Platforms like Reddit’s r/eroticauthors and Goodreads GroupsOpens in a new tab. are great places to interact with potential readers and other writers.
  3. Study Similar Authors: Look at popular authors in your chosen genre and figure out who their readers are.

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Step 2 – Study Amazon’s Bestseller Lists

One of the best ways to research your market is by studying what’s already selling. Amazon’s Kindle Store offers a goldmine of insight into which genres, tropes, and niches are thriving.

When I started, I didn’t do this. I spent months writing novels that didn’t sell because I hadn’t looked at what readers were actually buying. Take some time to browse Amazon’s bestseller lists in your category—it’s an eye-opener.

Actionable Steps:

  1. Go to the Amazon Kindle StoreOpens in a new tab. and explore the “Romance” and “Erotica” categories.
  2. Look at the “Best Sellers” and “Hot New Releases” sections within your genre. Take notes on popular tropes, covers, and titles.
  3. Focus on specific subcategories (e.g., “Billionaire Romance,” “Shifters”) for more targeted insights.
  4. Use tools like Publisher RocketOpens in a new tab. to analyse sales data and trends for specific keywords.

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Step 3 – Spot Trends and Tropes Readers Love

Readers are drawn to specific patterns in stories, known as tropes. These are recurring themes like “friends-to-lovers” or “alpha billionaire.” Website traffic insights and social media trends can give you hints about what readers want right now.

I ignored trends early on, assuming originality would win out. It didn’t. Writing to market doesn’t mean copying what’s popular, but it does mean understanding trends so you can present a fresh take on something readers demand.

Actionable Steps:

  1. Visit Google TrendsOpens in a new tab. to analyse search queries for popular romance themes.
  2. Check out annual reports from platforms like Pornhub InsightsOpens in a new tab. to explore broader romance-related interests.
  3. Participate in genre-specific group discussions on Facebook or Reddit to hear what fans are talking about.

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Step 4 – Find Your Niche and Stand Out

One of the costliest mistakes I made was trying to write for everyone. I dabbled in too many genres, jumped between series, and ultimately failed to build a consistent audience. Success lies in laser-focusing on a niche and delivering stories that speak directly to that audience.

Actionable Steps:

  1. Start by narrowing down to a subgenre you enjoy (e.g., “Shifter Romance with a Steamy Twist”).
  2. Use tools like K-LyticsOpens in a new tab. to identify profitable subcategories within romance.
  3. Compare niches on Amazon by looking at bestseller rankings and competition levels.

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Step 5 – Leverage Titles, Covers, and Keywords

A great story needs to be paired with effective packaging—that means eye-catching covers, intriguing titles, and strategic keywords that make your work discoverable. This was something I overlooked early on. I assumed readers would just “find” my books. They didn’t.

Actionable Steps:

  1. Invest in high-quality covers by working with a designer who specialises in romance. Check out 99DesignsOpens in a new tab. or FiverrOpens in a new tab..
  2. Write titles that emphasise your story’s unique selling point (e.g., “The Alpha’s Forbidden Love”).
  3. Use a tool like Book BoltOpens in a new tab. or Keyword InspectorOpens in a new tab. to optimise keywords in your title, subtitle, and Amazon metadata.

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Step 6 – Short Stories Can Be Profitable

Many authors believe that longer novels are the only way to attract readers, but short, binge-able stories work exceptionally well in the steamy romance genre. I wish I had figured this out earlier. Short stories are faster to produce and allow you to test new ideas without a huge time investment.

Actionable Steps:

  1. Write short stories (1,000-10,000 words) that push familiar tropes but add a unique twist.
  2. Use Kindle UnlimitedOpens in a new tab. to build momentum—short stories perform well in this system due to their quick readability.
  3. Group connected short stories into bundles or series for more earning potential.

Read My Latest Tips on Researching Your Perfect Erotica Niche on Amazon