Amazon KDP Publishing- Some Authors Losing Out on Sales

By committing to Amazon exclusively, you miss out on potential readers who use other platforms such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play Books. This could limit your book’s overall market exposure and sales potential.

Publishing your ebook exclusively  through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Select program can be a strategic decision for self-published authors. This program offers several unique benefits but also comes with certain limitations. Here’s a detailed look at the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Increased Royalties in Select Markets: Through KDP Select, authors can earn higher royalties, such as 70% on sales to customers in Brazil, Japan, India, and Mexico, which would otherwise earn lower royalties outside of KDP Select.

2. Access to Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime Lending Library: KDP Select allows your ebook to be included in Kindle Unlimited (KU), a subscription service where customers can read as many books as they want for a monthly fee, and the Amazon Prime Lending Library. You earn money based on the number of pages of your book that customers read, which can be particularly lucrative if your book engages readers to read it entirely.

3. Promotional Tools: Enrolling in KDP Select gives you access to promotional tools such as Kindle Countdown Deals, where you can run limited-time discount promotions, and Free Book Promotions, which allow you to offer your book for free for up to 5 days every 90-day enrollment period. These promotions can increase your book's visibility and help attract reviews and readers.

4. Increased Visibility: Books in KDP Select may receive increased visibility through Amazon’s algorithms and promotional channels, potentially leading to higher overall sales.

Cons

1. Exclusivity Requirement: The biggest drawback of KDP Select is that you must grant Amazon exclusive selling rights for the digital format of your book for at least 90 days. During this period, your ebook cannot be sold or given away anywhere else, including on your own website or other ebook platforms.

2. Potential Limitation of Audience: By committing to Amazon exclusively, you miss out on potential readers who use other platforms such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play Books. This could limit your book’s overall market exposure and sales potential.

3. Dependency on Amazon’s Ecosystem: Relying heavily on Amazon can be risky if policy changes occur or if there are fluctuations in the marketplace dynamics on Amazon. Changes in the KDP Select fund, algorithm adjustments, or shifts in reader behavior can significantly impact your earnings.

4. Loss of Control Over Pricing: While enrolled in KDP Select, Amazon often has the ability to discount your book without your consent, which could affect your royalties and market perception.

5. Variable KU Payouts: Payments from Kindle Unlimited are based on a global fund and the number of pages read, which can vary month to month. This variability can make income unpredictable and planning difficult.

Strategic Considerations

Deciding whether to enroll in KDP Select should be based on your specific goals, the genre of your book, and your target audience. Authors who can drive substantial traffic to Amazon and benefit from Amazon's promotional tools may find KDP Select advantageous. Conversely, authors seeking to reach a broad audience across multiple platforms, or those who value flexibility in managing their digital rights, might consider distributing more broadly beyond Amazon.

Overall, the decision to use KDP Select should be regularly revisited, as market conditions, personal publishing goals, and Amazon’s policies change over time.