Have you been thinking about publishing a book through KDP? Publishing on Kindle means working with Amazon almost exclusively for your work. Signing up means that for the next 90 days, you are not going to publishing that same work elsewhere. Once you check the box, it’s done. Before you check that box, the publishing on Kindle pros and cons deserve to be carefully considered. Here are the key points that are worth looking at.
What Are the Pros of Publishing on Kindle?
1. You have multiple marketing options.
KDP publishing offers you the opportunity to access Countdown Deals and scheduled promotions where your book can be offered for free. This allows you to be able to get your title in front of more potential readers so that your writing can gather exposure, some reviews, and hopefully that can translate into some sales.
2. You can access the KDP Select Global Fund.
This is the pile of money that is available to authors who have a reader choose and then read at least 10% of their book from the Kindle Unlimited program. It also applies to books that are borrowed from the Kindle Lending Library.
3. There are 70% royalty options.
Several countries qualify right now for paying a 70% royalty on sales. There are pricing minimums and other basic standards that must be met for this royalty to qualify, but it is a much higher payment rate than other publishers typically offer. Even if you don’t qualify for the 70% royalty, you’ll be receiving a 35% royalty on every sale that is made.
4. It is easy to make changes to your book.
It is very easy to make pricing changes when selling on Amazon. Most changes are completed within 72 hours, while some may happen in just 4 hours or less. It is also easier to make changes to errors that you find in your document without needing to reset everything.
5. You can easily enter new markets.
All it takes is a few clicks for your book to be published in several different international markets. This makes it possible to contact potential customers globally without ever needing to leave the comfort of your office chair.
What Are the Cons of Publishing on Kindle?
1. You lose access to a lot of bookstore outlets.
Amazon might be one of the largest distributors of ebooks in the world today and they may have strong markets in the UK and USA, but other retailers dominate in other parts of the world. Tolino, Apple, and Kobo all have the potential to make your work be seen by your targeted demographics, which means publishing with Kindle loses this market access.
2. Sales generally take time to build up.
It may take several years for an author to build up enough of a readership for them to be able to create a sale. This means there may be several days where marketing and other work needs to happen, but there won’t be any money coming in from that work. The efforts may compound upon one another, but not every writer has the time it may require to do so.
3. It limits your independence.
If you publish on Kindle, then you are tied to that platform. You lose your independence if you feel like this isn’t the right platform for you. And, if something happens to Amazon while you’re in the middle of your 90-day period of exclusivity, it means you will be sort of stuck.
4. There is a lot of competition.
When you publish on Kindle, you’re joining thousands upon thousands of other writers who are competing for what is ultimately the same piece of the publishing pie. Although the number of customers on Amazon can be quite vast, it is still difficult to get your work noticed on the platform if you’re just starting out.
5. Your price options are limited.
Most books that are published online today will sell for less than $10. Many are priced at $2.99, with some selling for less than $1. To get the largest royalty, your book must be priced between $2.99-$9.99. Otherwise your royalty gets cut in half, which means Amazon naturally limits your pricing options.
Publishing on Kindle may have pros and cons that could limit personal success and tie you down, but it could also be the key to unlocking your success. By examining each key point, you’ll be able to figure out what the best decision happens to be for you.
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