You’ve probably heard about Amazon KDP—people make money self-publishing books while sipping their coffee at home. The best part? It’s easier than you think to get started, even if writing isn’t your strongest skill. Whether you’re a creative writer or just great at research (with a little use of AI), Amazon KDP offers everyone a chance to earn. This guide will take you through the steps, offer real-life examples, and give you a good idea of how much you could potentially earn.
What is Amazon KDP?
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is Amazon’s platform that allows anyone to publish and sell eBooks, paperbacks, and even hardcover books directly on Amazon. Think about it—Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer, so what better place to sell your work? The best part? You don’t need an upfront investment—you simply upload your book, and Amazon handles the printing, shipping, and even some of the marketing for you.
Why is KDP a Game-Changer?
- No upfront costs – Publish for free and earn a cut from every sale.
- Passive income – Once your book is live, it can sell over and over again.
- Global reach – Your book is available to millions of readers worldwide.
Now, let’s break it down into steps.
Step 1: Create Your Book Idea
You don’t need to be Stephen King to write a book for Amazon KDP. Here’s the secret – your book doesn’t have to be a novel! Many KDP authors make bank with low-content books like journals, planners, or colouring books. Or, if you’re good at research, you could create how-to guides, cookbooks, or even trivia books.
To find ideas:
- Browse Amazon bestsellers for inspiration.
- Use trending topics in your niche.
- Try keyword research tools like Publisher Rocket to see what’s in demand.
Example
Self-help books and kids’ activity books are currently huge on KDP. Sarah Titus, one KDP author, generated six figures by publishing a series of planner books. If you can’t think of any ideas, look to TikTok or other social medias for inspiration – join the hype train!
Step 2: Write or Create Your Content
If you’re writing a non-fiction book or any text-heavy content:
- Use tools like Google Docs or Scrivener to draft your book.
Not into writing? No problem. For low-content books (like notebooks), you can design pages using Canva or Adobe Illustrator. There are plenty of free tutorials online to get you started.
Pro tip 💡—Your content doesn’t have to be long. Many successful eBooks are under 5,000 words, and some of the best even below 1000. It’s all about your target audience and finding a niche that has demand, even for the simple things…
Example Tools
- eBook Writing: Reedsy Book Editor.
- Low-content Design: Canva (free and easy).
“I wrote my first low-content book in one weekend and earned over $500 in my first month,” says Sarah, a KDP beginner from Sydney.
Step 3: Format Your Book for Upload
Amazon requires specific formats for eBooks and print books, but don’t stress—it’s easier than you think.
- Use Kindle Create to format eBooks.
- For paperback or hardcover books, use templates provided by Amazon KDP or design them in Canva or Google Slides.
Double-check – badly formatted books can hurt your reviews.
Step 4: Design an Amazing Cover
Here’s a golden rule—YOUR COVER MATTERS. Even if your book is amazing, a dull cover won’t get clicks. Options for designing your cover:
- DIY using Canva.
- Hire a designer on Fiverr ($20-$50).
- Use AI for ‘inspiration’
Make sure your cover includes:
- A bold, legible title.
- Eye-catching visuals.
Example
Mark Dawson became a millionaire by self-publishing thrillers on KDP, all thanks to his eye-catching covers.
Step 5: Upload Your Book to KDP
- Log into your Amazon KDP account (set one up if you haven’t).
- Click on “Create a New Title” and choose whether you’re publishing an eBook or paperback.
- Fill in the book details, including title, keywords, and blurb.
Optimise Keywords
Keywords are how readers will find your book. Try “Amazon KDP”, “how to start Amazon KDP”, or “self-publishing guide” to get picked up in searches.
Once submitted, your book will typically go live within 72 hours.
Step 6: Set a Price and Royalty
Amazon lets you earn 35% or 70% royalties on each book sold (depends on your price range). For example:
- A £2.99 eBook on 70% royalties = £2.09 per sale.
If you sell just 100 copies per month, that’s an extra £209 in your pocket for minimal work!
Want higher earnings? Publish multiple books—a popular strategy among top sellers.
Real Example
Rachel Morgan had modest success early on but skyrocketed her earnings by publishing a fantasy series. Now she makes $10k/month.
Step 7: Marketing Your Books
While Amazon does offer free traffic (through search results), you’ll need marketing to boost sales. Here’s how to start:
- Amazon Ads – Run ads directly on Amazon to target customers searching for similar books.
- Social Media – Share your book on Instagram, Facebook, or even TikTok.
- Email List – Build a community of readers who will buy your next release.
Example
Romance novelist Bella Andre used email lists to sell over 1.5 million copies.
How Much Can You Earn With KDP?
Earnings can vary widely. Here’s a rough idea based on your hustle:
- Side Hustle – Publish 1-5 books and earn ~£300-£1,000 per month.
- Full-time Income – Publish a series or high-demand books to earn £5,000+ per month.
Real Success Stories
According to the Medium article:
- Amanda Hocking made $2 million self-publishing her paranormal fiction.
- Steve Scott earns $40,000/month with non-fiction books.
But remember, it’s NOT all overnight success. With some patience and effort, you can definitely create a stream of passive income.
Final Thoughts on Amazon KDP
Amazon KDP is an incredible opportunity for anyone ready to hustle. Whether you’re publishing eBooks, low-content books, or full novels, the earning potential is huge. Follow these simple steps to get started—and who knows? You could be the next KDP success story.
Don’t wait! Start writing, designing, or planning your book today.
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