Amazon KDP Select: Is it Right for You? Pros and Cons
So, you have a book ready to publish and you’re wondering about Amazon KDP Select. Is it worth it? Plenty of authors swear by it, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all deal.
Let’s talk about what makes the program great and where it might fall short, helping you decide, if Amazon KDP Select is right for you
What is KDP Select?
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s free self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish their books quickly and easily. With KDP, your book can be published in about 5 minutes and appear in Kindle stores within 48 hours.
KDP Select is a free, optional 90-day program available to KDP authors. By enrolling in KDP Select, authors agree to distribute their eBook exclusively through Amazon for 90 days in exchange for additional benefits. This means that you cannot put your book on any other platform or retailer. Now you really might be asking yourself if Amazon KDP Select is right for you
What are the Benefits?
Kindle Unlimited (KU)
This is an $11.99 monthly subscription that gives members access to read and download over a million digital titles letting them keep it as long as they want or until their subscription is over. KU is essentially a digital library allowing you to have 20 eBooks at a time.
Higher Royalties
Earnings are determined by the number of total pages read the first time by a reader. Each page read is given a certain rate. This is based off Amazon’s Kindle Edition Normalized Pages (KENP) which is a system used to measure how many pages are read in a Kindle book. The rate fluctuates each month but averages around 0.004500 a page. You’ll also earn 70% royalties in India, Brazil, Japan, and Mexico marketplaces. Authors who don’t enroll their books will only have the 35% royalty option available. That means you’ll earn more for every sale in these regions.
The total KDP select author earnings of June 2024 was $56.1 Million
Kindle Countdown Deals
Kindle Countdown Deals allows you to offer your eBook at a promotional price for a limited time. This includes a countdown timer showing how much time is left to purchase book at that price. It’ll be easy for readers to see the great deal they’re getting as it will show the original and discounted pricing.
Authors will still earn their typical royalty rate on the promotional price. For example, if you have selected the 70% royalty option, you’ll earn 70% even if the price is below $2.99. Typically, you would only get a 35% royalty if your book drops below that price.
Free Book Promotions
You can set your book to be free for up to five days during each 90-day period of KDP Select enrollment. Offering your book for free can expand your readers, attract new reviews, and drive attention to your other titles if you have multiple books.
KDP Select All-Star
“All-Star” Authors whose books rank in the top 100, will get a little gift bonus. These are monetary bonuses that are anywhere from $500-$25,000 depending on the author or title ranking. These authors also receive an All-Star badge on their book detail page.
Weighing the Cons of KDP Select
I’m sure you’re thinking that sounds amazing, but what’s the catch?
Exclusivity
There’s the obvious one- which is the fact that you’re pretty much locked into Amazon. This means you can’t sell or even give away your eBook anywhere else—not on other platforms and not on your own website. You can use up to 10% of your book for promotions like digital samples or sending copies to reviewers, but that’s about it.
Retailer Diversity
It’s important to note that Amazon is the largest book retailer globally, with over 80% market share in the U.S., so you can rest in peace knowing that Amazon can provide broad visibility. However, by choosing this route, you miss out on potential revenue from other eBook retailers and readers who use Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and others.
Making your book available in multiple places can help you reach a wider audience. If that’s important to you, consider not limiting your book to just one retailer, regardless of their size.
Visibility
Choosing one retailer especially one as big as Amazon, won’t necessarily make your book stand out, especially in popular genres. Without good marketing and regular promotion, it can easily get lost among thousands of other books. Your visibility with KDP select, is heavily dependent on Amazon’s algorithm, which can change without notice. This can be very unpredictable in terms of sales.
Amazon KDP is Not Your Only Option
While Amazon KDP and KDP Select have some great perks, it’s not the only platform out there. Other platforms like IngramSpark and Lulu offer their own unique advantages. They open doors to different distribution networks, including print options like hardcover and paperback, which might better suit your book’s needs.
If you’re curious about the different self-publishing platforms and what thy can offer, check out our guide to help you sort through your options.
Is It Worth It?
This is a loaded question. At the end of the day, you as the author need to think about and define your long-term publishing goals, schedule and market strategy.
Remember, the program is only a 90-day commitment. Test and try it out. Use the data and customer feedback available through Amazon to refine your approach. Analyzing reviews and sales data can provide insights into what readers enjoy about your books. This will really help determine if you want to continue down this route or venture into other retailers.
For more advice and different perspectives, consider joining some communities on Reddit. You can ask questions and read other people’s posts to see the conversations and learn. The selfpublish community is a great place to get started. Check out Amazon KDP’s community forum as well, where authors working with them share their insights and experiences with the platform.
Perfecting Your Publishing Path with PrintingCenterUSA
Choosing the right platform for publishing your book is crucial, but so is deciding how and where to print it. At PrintingCenterUSA, we understand that each author’s journey is unique, and we’re here to support you in bringing your vision to life with high-quality print solutions. Whether you’re printing a novel, an art book, or a cookbook, our 50+ years of experience will ensure your work stands out in the crowd.
We encourage you to explore all your options, from eBook platforms like Amazon KDP to comprehensive print services.
Remember, your book’s journey doesn’t end when you type ‘The End.’ That’s actually just the beginning. Let PrintingCenterUSA help you write the next chapter of your self-publishing story. If you need more insights or have questions, our team is always here to help.
