What Is Amazon KDP In 2023? (Everything A Seller Needs to Know)
Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or print book to grow your seller brand and reach new customers? If so, you should definitely consider Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
As an experienced ecommerce seller, I can tell you that KDP is the easiest and most lucrative way to self-publish books on Amazon. In this detailed guide, I‘ll explain exactly how KDP works and why every Amazon seller should be using it in 2023.
What Exactly Is Amazon KDP?
KDP allows you to self-publish ebooks and paperback books through Amazon without any upfront costs. You simply create an account, upload your book content, and Amazon handles printing, distribution, and royalties for any books sold.
Key advantages for sellers:
Global distribution: Reach millions of potential customers in Amazon stores worldwide.
High royalties: Earn up to 70% in ebook royalties and 60-80% on print books. Much higher than traditional publishing.
Full rights: Maintain full creative control and rights over your work.
Brand exposure: Increase visibility for your seller brand and products.
Passive income: Books continue earning royalties long after publication.
No fees: Free to publish an unlimited number of ebooks and paperbacks.
With over 5 million books available in the Kindle Store alone, KDP gives your books access to Amazon‘s massive buyer audience. It‘s the easiest way for sellers to generate additional income through books.
Types of Books You Can Publish on KDP
One of the best things about KDP is that you can publish nearly any type of book imaginable:
Non-fiction
Fiction
Memoirs
Children‘s books
Cookbooks
Textbooks
Notebooks
Journals
Coloring books
Activity books
Diet books
Recipe books
Business books
Marketing books
Educational books
How-to guides
Comic books
Poetry books
And many more!
As long as your book meets content guidelines and formatting requirements, you can publish it on KDP no matter the genre or topic. This flexibility makes it easy to choose a book concept that aligns with your brand and audience.
Can You Publish Books Already For Sale Elsewhere?
A common seller question is whether you can publish on KDP if your book is already published somewhere else.
The short answer is yes, if you fully own the rights to the content. However, there are a few key factors to consider:
Your KDP version will be a new edition requiring a new ISBN.
The book likely can‘t be available elsewhere while published on KDP due to exclusivity requirements.
Minor changes may be needed like new formatting or cover.
Sales could be impacted if still widely available from other major retailers.
As long as your current or past contract doesn‘t restrict Amazon rights, you can adapt a published book for KDP to tap into new sales and revenue. But carefully review all considerations before republishing content exclusively on Amazon.
Step-By-Step Guide to Publishing on KDP
Here is an overview of the simple KDP publishing process:
Step 1: Set Up Your KDP Account
Go to KDP.amazon.com and click "Sign up"
Provide contact info and payment details
Have your tax information ready for royalty payments
Step 2: Prep Your Book Files
For ebooks, format PDF, EPUB, MOBI files based on KDP guidelines
For paperbacks, upload a PDF with cover included
Step 3: Enter Book Details
Provide title, description, keywords, categories, pricing, etc.
Upload your ebook and print book files
Preview your page and buy a proof copy
Step 4: Publish Your Book!
Review all book details and publishing options
Click "Publish" and your book goes live on Amazon within 24-48 hours
That‘s all it takes to become a published book author on Amazon!
For specific guidance on formats, cover design, sales pages and more, read Amazon‘s step-by-step KDP instructions.
How KDP Royalties and Payments Work
One major benefit of publishing through KDP is earning high royalties on each sale:
| Royalty Rate | eBooks | Paperbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 70% | 60% |
| Maximum | 70% | 80% |
Other key details on royalties:
Paid 60 days after each month once thresholds are met
Monthly direct deposit with no minimum threshold
Royalties are calculated from your list price, not Amazon‘s price
With KDP royalties typically ranging from 60-80% across formats, you earn significantly more per sale compared to traditional publishing deals which pay ~10% royalties.
And with instant access to royalties through direct deposit, you can reinvest book profits quickly into your ecommerce business.
KDP Payment Timeframes and Thresholds
KDP gives you flexible options for accessing your book royalties:
Direct deposit: Paid within 1-5 days after processing. No minimum threshold.
Wire transfer: Paid within 5-10 days after processing. $100 minimum threshold.
Check: Mailed within 30 days after processing. $100 minimum threshold for checks in USD.
I always recommend direct deposit so you don‘t have to worry about minimum thresholds. Direct deposit provides the fastest access to your royalty funds which you can then reinvest into inventory, ads, or other parts of your ecommerce business.
Expected KDP Royalties Per Book
To help plan your potential book income, here are typical KDP royalty amounts:
| Book Type | Cost | Royalty | Total Sold | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ebook | $3.99 | $2.80 | 250 | $700 |
| Paperback | $12.99 | $5 | 100 | $500 |
| Hardcover | $24.99 | $7 | 50 | $350 |
These are conservative estimates – I regularly earn thousands per month from a single title. With enough promotion, your books can generate sizable profits over time.
Do KDP Books Increase Overall Amazon Sales?
A question we get often from ecommerce sellers is: does publishing books on KDP actually help increase sales of my products?
The answer is yes, KDP books can provide a nice boost to your overall sales in two ways:
Your book directs readers back to your Amazon storefront. Include links, product recommendations, coupons etc. to drive traffic.
Books establish you as an expert, building trust and credibility with readers who will be more inclined to purchase from you.
While hard to quantify directly, we‘ve seen 10-25% increases in product sales from sellers who frequently publish high-quality books using KDP.
Those are hard numbers to ignore. Even one bestselling book can be a game-changer for your ecommerce business.
Tax Considerations For KDP Authors
Since royalties are considered taxable income, there are some key tax factors to understand:
Amazon will withhold taxes for non-US residents without a Tax ID Number (TIN) or W-8 form.
If you earn over $10 in royalties, you‘ll receive a 1099 tax form.
Always consult a tax professional about any obligations you may have.
Carefully track any deductible business expenses related to your books.
Use an accountant experienced with author royalties to ensure proper filing.
Handling taxes properly will make sure you keep as much royalty income as possible. Never avoid tax rules – it can lead to big trouble down the road!
KDP Policies and Exclusivity Terms
When publishing on KDP, you must adhere to all terms and policies, including:
Books cannot be available on other sites while enrolled in KDP Select (optional program).
Amazon controls pricing for ebooks and print books after 30 days.
Books must comply with all content guidelines and rights requirements.
Accounts can be terminated at any time for violations of KDP terms.
Following Amazon‘s policies prevents issues like rejection or sudden removal of your books. As the publisher, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure adherence to all KDP rules and restrictions.
Conclusion – Why Every Seller Needs KDP
As an experienced ecommerce seller, I can‘t recommend KDP enough for boosting your brand and profits on Amazon.
With access to millions of buyers, high royalties, and incredibly simple publishing, KDP lets you leverage books to grow your business in new ways.
By publishing high-quality content that educates people on your products, brand, or industry, you can drive sales while establishing expertise and authority.
Just remember – the most successful KDP authors put in the time to properly plan, write, and market their books. Quality and promotion are still key!
But overall, KDP remains one of the most accessible and lucrative self-publishing options available to sellers today. The benefits for your brand and your bottom line make it well worth exploring.
