Do you know you can self-publish a book on Amazon and sell it for much profit?
Because Self-publishing involves the publication of written media without a recognized publisher. if you blindly follow the technical steps to publish your book on Amazon without taking the time to do it right, you’ll end up with a book you won’t be proud of.
In self-publishing, it doesn’t really matter if you are experienced or not. However, You need a piece of proper information to self-publish a book you would be proud of.
However, you should be aware that getting your book published on Amazon, the world’s most popular online marketplace, will require more than a few random actions.
In this article, we’ll show you how to self-publish on Amazon.
How to Self-Publish a Book on Amazon
Step 1. Create an Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Account
Just like most regular sites or applications, you would have to sign in to access their services, if you are not already registered then you would have to sign up.
If you already own an Amazon account, just sign in to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) with your existing Amazon username and password.
However, if you don’t have an Amazon account, Go to KDP and click Sign up.
Then click create your KDP account and enter your name, email address, and a safe password.
Step 2. Add a new Kindle ebook (a “new title”)
Once you have successfully signed in to kindle direct publishing, You would be taken to the kdp dashboard where you are to Create your eBook.
Remember, there’s no publication without a title and so the first thing to do is to input your title. The title field should simply contain the exact title of your book as it appears on your book cover.
What you input there will show as your book’s title on your product page. Also, ensure there are no errors to avoid your book’s authenticity is questioned.
Make sure your title is captivating as that is what potential readers will notice about your book first. Your title can determine if customers will purchase your book.
Step 3. Book detail and description
Your book title is not the only detail that would be required to provide. Other details like author/author’s name, description, keywords, age range, category, etc. will also be required.
If the book has more than one author, ensure you indicate by adding the other author’s name in the contributor’s name.
Your title, description, and keywords are your selling point and so ensure they are captivating enough.
Select up to two categories for your book and upload up to seven related keywords to boost your book views.
Step 4. Create and upload a cover
Now, this is also one part that is very crucial and can determine your book sales. It is highly recommended that you allow a professional to design your cover.
Amazon provides guidelines for uploading cover images and also includes a rather insufficient tool to create your cover but it is still advisable to employ a proficient designer for it to avoid issues later on.
Step 5. Activate DRM Ensure you enable DRM
Digital Rights Management deters people from duplicating your book and delivering it to other people without payment.
Even with DRM activated, people are still afforded the opportunity to lend the book to friends for a short period through Kindle’s lending system.
DRM only prevents them from stealing your book.
Step 6. Upload your book
This is a step you must have been anticipating. Amazon accepts Word (DOC and DOCX), HTML, ePub, Text, PDF formats. You’ll still be able to make changes to your listing once your book has been uploaded. it won’t be finally published without your approval.
Adding your book to matchbook and book lending is left to you but you’ll have to enroll in book lending if you want the 70% royalty.
Step 7. Royalty and pricing
Choose between 35% and 70% for your royalty. For most Authors, the 70% royalty will pay more.
One thing to notice is that each royalty rate has its terms and conditions.
Step 8. Save to draft until you are ready to publish
You can publish when you are sure you have filled every information properly and you have previewed it on multiple devices.
FAQs On Self-Publishing On Amazon
No, Self-publishing on Amazon does not necessitate knowledge of coding or other technical aspects. There are numerous tools provided by Amazon to assist you in converting your manuscript into a well-formatted Kindle edition.
Yes, you can publish for free. The business environment has evolved. Today’s authors don’t have to wait for the approval of major publishing houses before they can get their work into the hands of the general public.
When publishing a book on Amazon, you, as the author, technically own the copyright.
No, you don’t give your books or your rights to Amazon when you become a publisher and upload your ebooks to sell on their website. Amazon is a store not a publisher (they do, however, also have their own publishing company, but that’s different). The rights to the product belong to the publisher.
No, you don’t give your books or your rights to Amazon when you become a publisher and upload your ebooks to sell on their website. Amazon is a store not a publisher (they do, however, also have their own publishing company, but that’s different).
The following are 10 major steps to publishing your books on Amazon:
- Create an Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Account
- Add a new Kindle ebook (a “new title”)
- Inputting your book details and description
- Creating and uploading a cover
- Activating DRM
- Uploading your book
- Choosing royalty and pricing.
- Saving to draft
- Publishing when ready.
One last thought about self-publishing and Amazon
Publishing is a skill in and of itself, independent of writing.
The temptation is to publish your manuscript as quickly as possible, but if you do that, you’ll be throwing away the time and effort you put into it.
Publishing a book that has the appearance of being amateurish reflects poorly on your professional abilities. You’re better off not publishing at all.
However, if you take your time and do it correctly, publishing your book can be the best thing you ever did for your career and for your own self-esteem.
