SwiftStart launched Fomin during the height of the pandemic. The brand is now expanding its product lines after tripling revenue.
We wrote this content to provide valuable information and guidance to aspiring authors and self-publishers interested in utilizing Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for their books. By outlining the features, benefits, and processes of KDP, we aim to help readers understand how they can leverage this platform to publish their work effectively and efficiently.
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s platform for self-publishing, allowing authors to publish their work. Launched in November 2007, KDP helps writers follow their passion while earning higher royalties and keeping the rights to their work.
Amazon Kindle Publishing Direct makes it easier for independent authors and publishers to publish paperback books or eBooks. Amazon encourages authors to self-publish their paperbacks, hardcovers, and Kindle eBooks through KDP at no upfront cost. You only pay when a book is sold.
Amazon allows the publication of various types of eBooks and print books, including:
To understand why Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is a top choice for authors who want to self-publish, here are some advantages of using Amazon KDP:
Since Amazon operates globally, authors are not limited to specific regions. Amazon KDP offers broad distribution across the United States and many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
With Kindle Direct Publishing Amazon, authors can publish their work as eBooks, printed books, or both. If you choose to publish in paperback or hardcover, Amazon handles the printing and shipping. Moreover, you can use the Amazon Kindle Store and Kindle Unlimited to reach a wider audience.
Self-publishing with Amazon KDP is financially beneficial because of higher royalties. Authors can earn around 70% royalty on eBooks, up to 60% for paperbacks if they use Amazon’s distribution channels, and 40% for Expanded Distribution channels.
With a KDP account, you can publish many books. While there’s no official limit on the number of books you can release, there is a cap of 500 books. Authors must wait for their current book files to be reviewed before adding new titles.
When your books are on Amazon, they are associated with the trusted Amazon brand. Amazon’s strong reputation in eCommerce helps your book gain recognition and acceptance among online shoppers.
The biggest benefit of Amazon KDP is its fast turnaround. Traditional publishing can take nine months to two years for a book to reach the market. With Amazon KDP, your book or updates can go live on Amazon within 3 - 10 business days.
Previously, authors had to buy large quantities of printed books upfront. Amazon’s print-on-demand service eliminates the need for bulk purchases because books are printed as ordered.
Publishing through KDP is completely free!
In contrast, traditional publishing in the United States usually costs between $500 and $5,000. These fees often cover editing, book design services, and marketing. With KDP, these expenses are not required.
Amazon KDP determines the printing costs for both hardcover and paperback books using the following formula:
Fixed cost + (page count * per page cost) = printing cost
To provide a clearer picture, here is an overview of the fixed costs for black ink paperback and hardcover books:
When you publish eBooks through KDP, you earn royalties — both you and Amazon receive a percentage of the revenue.
There are two royalty rates: 35% and 70%.
You might think choosing the 70% royalty option is a no-brainer, but it's not that simple. To meet the 70% royalty rate criteria, you must qualify:
The following are the requirements for the 35% royalty rate:
Signing up for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is simple. Once you sign up, you're just minutes away from being able to publish your work.
Marketing is crucial when self-publishing a book. Amazon offers tools, including a PPC advertising strategy, to help authors sell their books.
If you’ve listed physical products on Amazon, you might already be familiar with sponsored ads and PPC campaigns. Amazon PPC campaigns can significantly increase your book's visibility and sales by displaying it to potential readers looking for similar content.
For more on Amazon bidding strategies, you can hire SwiftStart agency to reach a wider audience.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing offers aspiring authors and self-publishers an accessible, efficient, and empowering platform to bring their literary creations to life. With no upfront costs, broad distribution channels, higher royalties, and extensive support and resources, KDP provides a pathway for writers to share their stories with the world.
SwiftStart can help optimize your Amazon listings and supercharge your sales in a jiffy. Swift offers FREE 1 ASIN report (Amazon PPC audit), affordable Image stacking, A+ recharge, SEO Listing, and PPC services to enhance your product listing, visibility, and sales. Moreover, our Amazon Catalogue Course will help you become an experienced Amazon seller.
Also, if you want to streamline your brand's operations without hiring an agency, our 450+ Amazon SOP Library is your solution. So, don't miss out on the opportunity. Contact our Amazon agency experts today and take the first step toward elevating your Amazon brand.
Join our social footprint for more Amazon insights and growth hacks. Become a part of our Facebook Amz Mastermind community and subscribe to our popular Amazon newsletter to stay updated with the latest Amazon news, tips, and growth hacks.
Kindle Direct Publishing allows you to self-publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books at no cost. It grants direct access to Amazon's publishing platform.
Amazon is one of the largest and most popular e-commerce marketplaces in the world, offering customers a wide range of products and services at competitive prices. With over 300 million active customers worldwide, Amazon has become the go-to platform for shoppers looking to purchase everything from household essentials to luxury items. But Amazon isn't just […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many brands to reevaluate their supply chain. Prior to the pandemic, brands used to sell products only through brick and mortar retail stores, but now they are also selling on online marketplaces like Amazon or Ebay! The change in how people buy things means that fulfillment costs should be now […]
Before delving too deeply into any specific Amazon selling model, it is crucial to consider the advantages and disadvantages associated with each one. However, to broaden your understanding and explore alternative options, it is essential to recognize the compelling benefits of collaborating with a 3P accelerator. SwiftStart, a top-notch 3P accelerator, entails selling your product […]
Amazon's marketplace is full of countless products and brands competing for attention. In this case, Amazon product research is the differentiator to either make or break their business. Highlights Why We Wrote This? With this guide, we provide our aspiring Amazon sellers with a comprehensive understanding of Amazon product research. Amazon product research is important […]
We live in a world where we can buy almost anything online. Amazon has become one of the most popular places to purchase items since it is so easy to find what you need, just place an order and have it delivered right to your doorstep. Out of all the different ways that people market […]
Are you a budding businessman striving to sell your products on the Amazon marketplace? Amazon may offer incredible opportunities for sellers to earn profits by selling their products due to its vast customer base and global reach. However, it's important to note that simply listing a new product on Amazon doesn't guarantee instant sales. So, […]
Reselling on Amazon has become a promising business opportunity for many entrepreneurs today. The concept is straightforward: buy products from different retailers and sell them at higher prices on Amazon to make a profit. However, the presence of established resellers like Pattern, Zapos, and Gorilla Commerce on the platform creates a competitive environment that can […]
With Amazon dominating the eCommerce marketplace, It’s essential for online sellers to understand the differences between two of their most popular fulfillment options: dropshipping vs Amazon FBA. Whether you’re new to selling on Amazon or a seasoned pro, you must stay informed of how these two services compare to make the best decisions for your […]
If you're an e-commerce seller or considering starting an online store, you've likely heard of Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program. FBA is a service that allows sellers to store their products in Amazon's warehouses, and then Amazon handles the packing, shipping, and customer service for those products. While FBA has been a popular choice […]
If you're looking to start an online business, selling on Amazon can be a lucrative option. With over 300 million active customers, Amazon is the largest online retailer in the world. But where do you start? One popular approach is sourcing products from Alibaba and using Amazon's FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) service to handle storage, […]