That outcome wasn’t something to brag about, yet it inspired a second book and a better effort overall. The more keywords available, the greater the chance for fresh sales. A new campaign was launched with 1,000 additional phrases. A bid price represents the maximum amount a advertiser is willing to pay for a click on their ad.
It turns out that even with paid WSOs and various paid ebooks on Amazon Kindle publishing, a free visitor post can be enough to get someone started in the Kindle publishing system. Paul, you’re charging ninety-nine cents for your ebook. The likely reason readers don’t borrow the book is the price. In the lending program, readers pick the book they want to borrow each month. They typically choose the more expensive option to borrow for free and then buy the cheaper one. If someone plans to get two books in a single month and one is ninety-nine cents while the other is $9.99, most would opt to borrow the $9.99 title for free and purchase the 99-cent book.
Step 1 Create An Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (kdp) Account
Once set up correctly, Amazon banner ads can be a highly effective way to expose an ebook to potential readers. Amazon KDP offers two main routes for authors: paperback and ebook. Paperbacks are listed on Amazon Books, while ebooks appear in the Kindle Store.
These insights came from starting with essentially no audience, no email list, and no prior experience selling books as a self-published author on Amazon. A recent self-published Kindle ebook reached best-seller status in three categories, though self-publishing on Amazon is not a guaranteed shortcut. The top-earning authors on Amazon typically publish multiple titles and have spent years building their catalog. In many popular genres, the leading books are often recent releases.
Publishing An Ebook With The Four Major Ebook Retailers
Ebooks have made self-publishing more accessible than ever. In the 1990s, self-publishing often meant paying to print thousands of physical copies, a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Authors should explore many self-published ebooks for inspiration. It helps to include a link to the author’s own website in the front matter so readers previewing the book on a retail site can find it. Services like Gumroad and Selz enable authors to create and manage their own ebook storefronts. Building a personal website is still valuable for selling directly to readers.
When a book is live in the Kindle Store, the status reads “Live.” This is also when the distribution territories are chosen. For most authors, selecting “Worldwide rights” grants publication across the globe.
Amazon Worldwide Markets Explained
Other major retailers such as Nook, iBooks, and Kobo often do not require ISBNs for digital editions. Many indie authors today publish without ISBNs, regardless of platform. Amazon has long used price discounts as a tool to attract customers, balancing acquisition and retention against immediate margins.
The author recalls that an email blast probably wasn’t essential, yet it didn’t hurt. A targeted partner in a related niche with a large email list was asked to mention the free Kindle book to their audience, yielding positive impact.
Most Bestselling Ebooks Are Fiction
After the ninety-day window with KDP Select, there is often an effort to expand sales elsewhere, including direct sales through a personal site to capture a larger share of the revenue. In some programs, affiliates earn a commission offset by the author’s own discount, which can impact the author’s share of the revenue.
Blogging became a natural fit, leading to an ebook about blogging itself. The experience underscored that self-publishing differs substantially from traditional publishing, offering more control over content and timing.
What Can Be Done To Grow An Audience Before Diving Into Kindle Publishing?
Early results can include doubling download numbers within the first four months of publication. Some authors also expand into paperback formats, printed on demand, contributing a meaningful portion of monthly sales.
In markets outside English-speaking regions, earnings from Kindle may vary. Some revenue remains tied to non-Kindle channels, and while KU earnings once matched a portion of sales, it is not guaranteed. With Amazon accounting for a large share of income, many authors find value in exclusive titles within certain programs, while recognizing opportunities to distribute via other retailers as well.
The 2021 Guide To Amazon Charges And Royalties For Kindle Ebooks And Kdp Print
Creativity matters in pricing. A royalty of 70% applies when the ebook is priced between $2.99 and $9.99; pricing outside that range typically yields a 35% royalty. Public domain works often fall into the 35% tier, depending on copyright status and licensing terms.
Self-published success frequently leads to lucrative book deals. Some authors weigh a traditional contract for higher royalties in exchange for distribution support, particularly since ebook sales still surpass physical book sales in many cases. A small fraction of authors achieve substantial annual earnings, while many others struggle to reach that level.
Decide If Books Are Selling Properly In Your Area Of Interest
Amazon commands a dominant share of the ebook market. Authors who refuse to publish on Amazon risk missing a large portion of potential royalties. The online and offline worlds intersect in surprising ways; for instance, film-ticket sales in the U.S. remained robust over several years, illustrating enduring demand across formats.