As the world's largest online retailer, Amazon has become a go-to source for book lovers of all stripes. In addition to being a major player in the ecommerce space, Amazon is also a self-publishing powerhouse, offering authors a unique platform to reach millions of potential readers. Considering self-publishing your book on Amazon, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision. This article will look closely at some key pros and cons of self publishing on Amazon.
There are several pros of self publishing on Amazon, the most significant of which is how quick and simple it is compared to traditional publishing. So let's dig deeper into each of the benefits.
If you self-publish with Amazon on the KDP Select program, you may earn up to 70% royalties on sales to customers in several countries, including Brazil, Japan, India, and Mexico. There is a 70% royalty available throughout most of Europe and the Middle East without KDP Select membership. If you don't want to charge your clients for delivery, you can opt for a 35% royalty rate.
When you self-publish on Amazon, your book will be available to millions of readers worldwide. Not only do they offer a wide range of English-language books, but they also offer books in many different languages. This makes it easy for readers from around the globe to find and purchase your book.
As the author, you have complete control over every aspect of your book, from the cover art to the price. This means you can release your book on your own schedule and without going through a lengthy approval process. You can even choose how and when you want to make your book available for sale.
The publishing process on Amazon is relatively quick and easy, especially when compared to traditional publishing. Once you've uploaded your book, it will be available within 24-48 hours. This makes it a great option for authors who want to finish their work as quickly as possible.
Unlike traditional publishing, self-publishing on Amazon does not require any upfront costs or investment. This means you can publish your book without worrying about taking on any financial risk. You can save a few bucks down the road and that one of the financial pros of self publishing on Amazon.
When you self-publish on Amazon, your book will be eligible for inclusion in their powerful search engine and massive online bookstore. This gives you a great opportunity to reach new readers who might not have discovered your work.
Amazon provides several promotional tools to help you market your book, including Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotion. These tools can drive awareness and sales during key marketing periods, such as launch week or the holiday season.
One of the benefits of self-publishing on Amazon is that readers can leave reviews for your book on the site. While not all reviews will be positive, this feedback can help gauge reader reaction and make necessary improvements to future editions of your book.
In addition to selling physical copies of your book, Amazon also allows you to sell digital versions (known as ebooks). This is a great way to reach a wider audience, as many prefer reading books electronically.
If you enroll in KDP Select, your book will be available for free to Amazon Prime members through the Kindle Lending Library. This can be a great way to generate buzz and attract new readers.
Of course, no platform is perfect, and there are a few potential cons of self publishing on Amazon that you should be aware of before making your final decision. Let's take a look at some of the key disadvantages below.
While Amazon is the largest online retailer in the world, it's still just one platform. This means that if you self-publish on Amazon, your book will only be available for purchase through their site. This can limit your visibility and make it more difficult to reach new readers.
Unless you enroll in KDP Select, you'll only earn a 35% royalty on ebook sales. While this is still higher than the royalties offered by most traditional publishers, it's worth considering if you're looking to maximize your earnings.
If you opt into KDP Select, your book will be included in Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service that allows readers to borrow books for free. While this can be a great way to generate exposure for your work, it also means that you'll be paid based on the number of pages read (known as the Kindle Edition Normalized Page Count, or KENPC). This can lead to lower royalties if readers don't read your book all the way through.
Since Amazon makes it so easy to self-publish, there is a lot of Competition on the site. This can make it difficult for your book to stand out from the crowd and attract the attention of potential readers.
Unlike traditional publishing, self-publishing on Amazon does not come with an advance. This means that you won't receive any upfront payment for your book. While you will still earn royalties on sales, you may need to invest your money in publishing.
One of the benefits of traditional publishing is that you'll receive editorial feedback from professionals who can help improve your book. When you self-publish on Amazon, you won't have access to this type of feedback, so it's important to ensure that your manuscript is as strong as it can be before hitting the publish button.
While Amazon does provide some promotional tools, it's ultimately up to you to market and promote your book. This can be a challenge, especially if you're new to self-promotion.
It’s one of the dangerous cons of self publishing on Amazon. Since self-publishing on Amazon is so easy, there are, unfortunately, many people who try to take advantage of authors. Be sure to do your research and only work with reputable service providers to avoid being scammed.
Self-publishing on Amazon can be time-consuming, from writing and editing your book to designing a cover and formatting your manuscript. If you're not prepared to invest the necessary time and effort, it's worth considering traditional publishing instead.
There is definitely a learning curve involved in self-publishing on Amazon. You'll need to familiarize yourself with their platform and figure out how to navigate their different tools and services. If you're not comfortable with technology, this can be a challenge.
Verdict: Pros and Cons of Self Publishing on Amazon
Self-publishing on Amazon may have its pros and cons, but it ultimately comes down to the author’s decision. With the right tools and resources, self-publishing can be a rewarding experience that leads to greater control over one’s work and increased profits. However, it is important to keep in mind the challenges associated with self-publishing so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this route is right for you.
However, if you have some free time and feel that being able to point out that you're a published author on Amazon may assist boost your credibility or career, it's worthwhile. If you can utilize the clicks and views from your eBook to help promote another business, self-publishing on Amazon is also worth it.
Amazon KDP is still a fantastic platform for you to generate extra money and offers a great chance for writers to have their works discovered and sold. The bottom line is that it's still a business, and you must stay ahead of the competition.
Amazon can be a difficult platform to master as a tool. However, with some study and planning, a self-published author may earn $10,000 or more each month by publishing their own books on Amazon.
Yes, KDP will be profitable in 2022, as the start-up cost is very low. And you don't have to maintain a stock of books on Amazon KDP since it's a print-on-demand business for books that just creates copies of your book when a customer places an order for them.
