Your Cart
Loading
kdp self publishing guide

How do I start publishing on Amazon KDP?

Are you ready to share your book with the world through Amazon KDP? With Kindle Direct Publishing, you can publish your ebooks and paperbacks easily. This way, you can reach a huge audience. But first, you need to set up a KDP account, which is the first step.


To start with Amazon KPD self-publishing, create a KDP account. It's a simple process. If you need help, check out our products and services at https://payhip.com/FutureFocusedPublishing. Or visit our KDP Help Desk at https://www.facebook.com/groups/PPTLowContentBooks/ for help with Kindle Direct Publishing.


Key Takeaways

  • Amazon KDP allows authors to earn up to 70% royalties on ebooks and up to 60% royalties on paperback sales.
  • Self-publishing with KDP enables authors to publish their books within hours, rather than months or years.
  • More than 1 million authors have published books on Amazon KDP, highlighting the platform's dominance in the industry.
  • KDP offers authors promotional opportunities, such as Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions, to increase visibility and sales.
  • Authors retain full rights to their books when using KDP, compared to traditional publishing where rights are often given up.
  • KDP enables publishing of an unlimited number of ebooks and paperbacks under one account, even across different pen names and categories.

Understanding the Basics of KDP Self Publishing

Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is a top choice for self-publishing books. It lets authors publish in digital and print formats. This way, they get amazon self-publishing perks like higher royalties and lower printing costs.

The platform uses print-on-demand tech. This means books are printed and sent out as they're ordered. So, authors don't have to worry about storing books in stock.

Self-publishing on Amazon is straightforward, many say. It might not be the easiest platform, but with a guide, it's manageable. KDP supports various book types, including fiction, non-fiction, and children's books.


Some key benefits of self-publishing on Amazon include:

  • Higher royalties: KDP gives a top royalty of 70% for eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99.
  • Lower printing costs: With print-on-demand, authors only print and send out books as they're ordered. This cuts down on storage needs.
  • Total creative control: Authors get to decide everything, from editing to cover design.

By grasping the basics of KDP self-publishing, authors can enjoy its benefits. KDP's easy-to-use interface and wide range of services make it a great choice for self-publishing.



Setting Up Your Amazon KDP Account

To start publishing ebooks through kindle direct publishing, sign in to kdp.amazon.com with your Amazon account. If you don't have an Amazon account, you can create one. This is easy and quick if you already have an Amazon account.

As an indie author publishing with KDP, you get many tools and resources. You can earn up to 70% royalty on ebooks and 60% on paperbacks. Plus, you can see your sales and royalties in real-time on the KDP dashboard.


Here are some key benefits of using KDP for kindle direct publishing:

  • Earn up to 70% royalty on ebooks
  • Access to real-time sales and royalty data
  • Various marketing tools, including price promotions and countdown deals


Choosing Your Book Category and Format

When you self-publish on Amazon, picking the right category and format is key. Amazon has many options, like fiction, non-fiction, and kids' books. Digital publishing and self-publishing services make it easy to find the best fit for your book.


Authors can pick up to 3 categories for their book on Amazon KDP. It's important to choose categories that match your book's content. With over 8,000 categories, keeping up with changes is crucial. Picking the right size and category can help your book reach more people.

Some important stats to remember when picking your category and format include:


  • Amazon has over 11,000 book categories, while BISAC has only 4,800.
  • 54% of KDP categories are duplicates, which can help authors appear in more listings.
  • 27% of categories lead to dead ends, with no Bestseller Lists.

Choosing the right category and format can boost your book's success on Amazon. It helps your book reach more readers and get noticed on the platform.


Creating Your Book Content Strategy


For amazon kpd self publishing, a good book content strategy is key. It includes planning your book's title, subtitle, and description. A strong strategy makes your book stand out and draws in readers.

To write a great book description, here are some tips:

  • Keep it short and focused on your book's main theme
  • Use keywords from your genre to get noticed
  • Make it engaging to grab readers' attention

As an author with kdp self publishing, you can publish directly to the Kindle Store. This makes your book available to millions worldwide. With a good strategy, you can boost your book's visibility, sell more, and gain loyal readers.


By using these tips and planning your content well, you can make your book a success. Focus on your audience and adjust your strategy as needed.


Designing an Eye-Catching Book Cover

A great book cover can almost double your book sales. It's a key part of self-publishing. Think about your book's genre and who you're writing for. Also, consider the self-publishing platform you're using, like Amazon KDP, which has tools for creating covers.


When designing your cover, use high-quality images and fonts that appeal to your audience. For example, thrillers often use the Helvetica font and bright colors like yellow and blue. Designers often use Adobe products for clear and high-quality covers.


You can design your cover yourself, hire a pro, or buy a pre-made one. Professional covers cost between $500 and $3000. Pre-made ones are cheaper, from $100 to $300. If you use free images with Gimp, you might not spend anything.


About 75% of readers pick a book by its cover. And 60% notice the fonts and typography. Having a consistent style across your covers can boost your brand by up to 80%. A well-made cover can make your book seem more valuable and increase your success.



Formatting Your Manuscript for Publication

Formatting your manuscript is key when publishing on kindle direct publishing. Amazon's guidelines say your text should be easy to read. Use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial, and a size of 12 points.


For publishing ebooks, the book size matters. In the U.S., the usual size is 6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm). Make sure your text has enough space around it, at least 0.325" to avoid cutting off when bound.

As an indie author publishing on Amazon, formatting is crucial. Use Heading 1 for chapter titles and indent paragraphs by 0.5 inches. This makes your book look professional and easy to read.

Here are some more tips for formatting your manuscript:


  • Use a standard font and font size throughout your manuscript
  • Ensure your manuscript is formatted with the correct margins and trim size
  • Use headings and subheadings to break up your content and make it easier to read
  • Format your paragraphs with a first-line indent and line spacing of 1.15 or 1.5

By following these tips and guidelines, you can make sure your manuscript is formatted right. This will help your book look professional and sell well through kindle direct publishing and other platforms.



Setting the Right Price for Your Book

When publishing on Amazon, setting the right book price is key. It's important to know about KDP royalties and how to price competitively. Authors need to think about the costs of print-on-demand and Amazon's royalty rates.


Authors can get a 35% or 70% royalty for eBooks on Amazon. The 70% rate is for eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 in some markets. This rate is only available if the book is sold exclusively on Amazon through KDP Select. For print books, the royalty is 60% of the list price, minus printing costs.


To find the best price for your book, consider a few things:

  • Production costs, like editing and cover design.
  • Market conditions, like competition and demand.
  • Who your target audience is and how much they might pay.
  • Strategies like discounts and promotions.

By looking at these factors and understanding KDP royalties and pricing, authors can price their books right. This helps them earn more through Amazon self-publishing and print-on-demand.