How To Start Amazon KDP For Free
Here are some things you should be aware of before you begin using Amazon to self-publish your book.
Things You Should Know About Amazon Self Publishing
- It’s Free to Publish
- Editing is Crucial
- Get Your Design Right
- KDP Select vs Mass Distribution
- Copyright
- Pick the Right Categories
1. It’s Free to Publish
To publish your book on Amazon, you don't have to hand over thousands of dollars to a self-publishing services provider.
Making all of your accounts and publishing your book on Amazon are completely free.
Simply register for a KDP account at https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/, download our free Kindle Self Publishing Checklist, and follow the instructions to publish your eBook on Amazon Kindle.
Create a free account at kdp.amazon.com and follow the instructions in our free Paperback Self Publishing Checklist to self-publish a paperback book.
You can sign up for a free account at ACX.com and use our instructions for creating an audiobook to self-publish.
2. Editing is Crucial
Poor editing is the main cause of self-published books' failure on Amazon. You still need a skilled editor, even if you're a very gifted writer, to help you really make your book shine and get rid of the kinds of editing errors that will hurt your reviews and sales.
For your benefit, we've created a thorough guide on how to select a fantastic book editor so you can get the assistance you require from a qualified editor.
3. Get Your Design Right
Your book's cover design will serve as its main marketing tool. You won't get many people browsing on your book or purchasing from you on Amazon or other shops if your design isn't appealing to your ideal readers.
Check out our advice on how to locate a book cover designer to find a fantastic designer who suits your needs in terms of price and genre.
4. KDP Select vs Mass Distribution
When you self-publish an eBook, you have two main distribution options: adhere with the Amazon Kindle platform through their KDP Select program, or distribute your eBook to all major eBook retailers.
The advantages of using KDP Select are:
- It's quicker, easier, and simpler.
- Your book is considerably more likely to get promoted on Amazon.
- You'll have access to KDP Free Promotions and Kindle Countdown Deals (KCDs), which can increase your book's sales and visibility on Amazon.
- You will be compensated when people use Kindle Unlimited and the Amazon Prime Lending Library to download your book for free.
- You're enjoying exclusive promotional benefits from your top retailer, Amazon, who holds a market share of more than 75% for eBooks.
5. Copyright
Whether or not you register your copyright, the moment your work is published in the United States of America, you become the owner of the copyright.
However, you might choose to register your copyright at copyright.gov if you are prepared to go to court to protect your work from copyright infringement.
Listen to our chat with a copyright lawyer as they discuss the value of copyright and the steps involved.
6. Pick the Right Categories
Your book does not appear in a physical bookshop when you utilize Amazon's self-publishing service, but it does appear in the biggest online retailer.
Publishers spend millions of dollars to place their books on the appropriate bookshelves in a physical bookstore so that customers can quickly discover them.
All you need to do on Amazon.com is choose the appropriate categories for your book so that readers may quickly find it. If you want readers to actually locate your book, you need to choose the proper bestseller categories on Amazon (also known as bestseller lists). These categories are similar to bookshelves in a bookshop.
