Guys: Kindle is the Ticket!

[GobBluthJD]

I have been online for so long that i should write about it ! My experience could benefit lots of people but honestly, i don't know where to start ? I've never thought about kindle. In fact, i'm new to all of this.

First step: Writing! Start putting it all down. You can edit and organize, produce and market later. But you need to get it written.

 

[surfbay]

Did you ever consider upping your book prices to US $3.99 ???.

Increase your margins . . .

 

[BLIXX]

Great thread, OP.

I just wanted to mention to everyone that while it is tempting to slip affiliate links into your Kindle ebooks, it is against the TOS. Some people do get away with it, but not for very long.

What you can do, however, is link out to your website(s). For those that don't instantly recognise the implications, this enables you to funnel those individuals that have purchased your ebook into your niche-related web of monetized properties. If you elect to use this method, price the ebook low to incentivize purchase, since the bigger money is garnered once they're in your web.

You're paid from every angle and the money is exponential. Shit's bananas.

 

[bmills]

Wish I was blessed with decent writing skills, everything in this industry ends up having to do with it. But wow very cool how amazon does some decent promotion for you. Thanks for the info

 

[aldoraine]

Great thread, OP.

I just wanted to mention to everyone that while it is tempting to slip affiliate links into your Kindle ebooks, it is against the TOS. Some people do get away with it, but not for very long.

What you can do, however, is link out to your website(s). For those that don't instantly recognise the implications, this enables you to funnel those individuals that have purchased your ebook into your niche-related web of monetized properties. If you elect to use this method, price the ebook low to incentivize purchase, since the bigger money is garnered once they're in your web.

You're paid from every angle and the money is exponential.

That's pretty smart. I never thought about it. Considering a book may get 1000 downloads if you put it up for free, that's pretty good extra traffic...targeted traffic at that.

 

[yaleinnovator]

i totally agree man, keep at it.

 

[jmcs23]

My book finished the 5 day free promo yesterday with 533 downloads. Unfortunately I didn't get any reviews...

Is 533 a good number for downloads during the free promo period?
Is 0 reviews a bad sign?


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[BLIXX]

That's pretty smart. I never thought about it. Considering a book may get 1000 downloads if you put it up for free, that's pretty good extra traffic...targeted traffic at that.

It is a metric shit tonne of work, but it's worth it if that doesn't scare you off. Your ebook absolutely must have value, and the site to which you link absolutely must enhance that value. Get your ebooks going first in a multitude of niches; see what catches on the fastest; build-out your web from there. You can go back and edit your ebooks whenever you want, so links can be added (or subtracted) as you further grow and refine your network of sites relating to the corresponding ebook(s).

 

[GobBluthJD]

My book finished the 5 day free promo yesterday with 533 downloads. Unfortunately I didn't get any reviews...

Is 533 a good number for downloads during the free promo period?
Is 0 reviews a bad sign?


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Depending on the genre, 500+ isn't bad. They say you should be getting 1 review for every 1000 downloads/purchases, so you're probably in line to get one sooner or later!

 

[otto14]

Just finished reading the whole thread! Very interesting business model. I can see it being very profitable if it's done right.

1 question though, before I start publishing. Anyone out of the US tried this and got paid? I am asking because I am from Europe and I don't really want to give away 50%+ of my income in taxes. Any loophole to avoid that for non US citizens?

Thanks!

 

[Alpha.]

Just finished reading the whole thread! Very interesting business model. I can see it being very profitable if it's done right.

1 question though, before I start publishing. Anyone out of the US tried this and got paid? I am asking because I am from Europe and I don't really want to give away 50%+ of my income in taxes. Any loophole to avoid that for non US citizens?

Thanks!

I'm in Europe too... as far as I can tell I would get around 43%ish after tax etc is deducted. But one of the kindle millionaires sells his story's for 99 pence and it worked out for him! So I'd say it's still more than doable!

 

[otto14]

I'm in Europe too... as far as I can tell I would get around 43%ish after tax etc is deducted. But one of the kindle millionaires sells his story's for 99 pence and it worked out for him! So I'd say it's still more than doable!

43% sucks but it can still be profitable. Way better than a 9-5 I already found a good niche and started planning my 1st ebook! Let's see how it goes..

BTW: who is the kindle millionaire that you are talking about?

 

[nycsavage]

I started writing my first book last week and found this thread today, and I haven't tried the "niche" mini-books yet that people are currently talking about, and I still have to write 60% of my current non-fictional education book according to my word count, time is my major problem for me. I have a question to ask and a bit of advice for people on here struggling with layout design.

First the advice: I found a program called Scrivener, I must admit that at first, it wasn't paid for *ahem* but once I found the value of it, I bought it properly! Hope this helps you aspiring authors out there (unless of course you are taking readers away from me lol).

Now the question: I was looking for a further way to monetize this idea and has anyone tried self-publishing in physical books? A number of websites can do this for you as some people actually prefer to hold a book in their hands. Just an idea.

 

[mrme2]

Amazing info. Thanks for the method. This is something I will be adding to my income streams for sure.

 

[Alpha.]

43% sucks but it can still be profitable. Way better than a 9-5 I already found a good niche and started planning my 1st ebook! Let's see how it goes..

BTW: who is the kindle millionaire that you are talking about?

There's a handful of Kindle millionaires (the million being the amount of sold ebooks) I think John Locke was the one selling his books for 99 pence and earning 35 pence per book (The winnings are lower under 2.99 as stated before in this thread)

 

[Alpha.]

I started writing my first book last week and found this thread today, and I haven't tried the "niche" mini-books yet that people are currently talking about, and I still have to write 60% of my current non-fictional education book according to my word count, time is my major problem for me. I have a question to ask and a bit of advice for people on here struggling with layout design.

First the advice: I found a program called Scrivener, I must admit that at first, it wasn't paid for *ahem* but once I found the value of it, I bought it properly! Hope this helps you aspiring authors out there (unless of course you are taking readers away from me lol).

Now the question: I was looking for a further way to monetize this idea and has anyone tried self-publishing in physical books? A number of websites can do this for you as some people actually prefer to hold a book in their hands. Just an idea.

Why would you use something like scrivener for 40$ when you can use microsoft word or any text editor for that matter...? You can edit the layout when you upload it to kdp.

The problem with "self-publishing" is the fact that no "serious" bookstore will sell self published works... I've been down that road before and without the proper agent/publisher etc you will not sell a single copy! The only working method here would be to sell ebooks with the option of selling it as a hardcover too! works like a charm on amazon, ppl like the ebook and then buy the paperback for example. But you need a ISBN number (costs around 100 dollars if I remember correctly) and the printing as such is always rather expensive, which would destroy the point of making a passive cashflow from ebooks.

 

[nycsavage]

Why would you use something like scrivener for 40$ when you can use microsoft word or any text editor for that matter...? You can edit the layout when you upload it to kdp.

I use Scrivener as I am aiming my first book at the hard copy market and using the program just feels right when I put everything together.

The problem with "self-publishing" is the fact that no "serious" bookstore will sell self published works... I've been down that road before and without the proper agent/publisher etc you will not sell a single copy! The only working method here would be to sell ebooks with the option of selling it as a hardcover too! works like a charm on amazon, ppl like the ebook and then buy the paperback for example.

I know it would take a lot of work, but self-publishing agencies are springing up all over the world, get published that way and keep your KDP to get the buzz out about your book and sell hard copies via your website. Or maybe go down the hardback book route with an agent (if you are good enough).

But you need a ISBN number (costs around 100 dollars if I remember correctly) and the printing as such is always rather expensive, which would destroy the point of making a passive cashflow from ebooks.

Lulu gives you a free ISBN

 

[BLIXX]

...self-publishing agencies are springing up all over the world, get published that way and keep your KDP to get the buzz out about your book and sell hard copies via your website. Or maybe go down the hardback book route with an agent (if you are good enough).

I will have to double check, but I am all but certain that once you commit to KDP Select you are not permitted to sell hardcopies via your website. And I am 100% certain that you are no longer KDP Select eligible if you hardback the book with an agent.

KDP is doing a lot of high quality promotion for you and expects exclusivity in return.


EDIT:

Clear as mud:

What does it mean to publish exclusively on Kindle?
When you choose KDP Select for a book, you're committing to make the digital format of that book available exclusively through KDP. When your book is enrolled in KDP Select, you cannot distribute your book digitally anywhere else, including on your website, blogs, etc. However, you can continue to distribute your book in physical format, or in any format other than digital. If your KDP Select-enrolled book is found to be available elsewhere in digital format, it may not be eligible to remain in the program. See the KDP Select Terms and Conditions for more information.

If my book appears to be available for sale or distribution on another website, is it eligible for KDP Select?
No. If your book is marketed in a way that indicates it is available for distribution, for sale or for free, then it is not eligible for KDP Select. For example, one of the possible indicators that the book is available for distribution may be the presence of instructions on another website or sales channel for downloading or obtaining the book.

https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=A6KILDRNSCOBA

The first paragraph makes clear and distinct delineation of 'digital' and 'physical' distribution; the second paragraph is all encompassing in that no such delineation is made. Cake is a lie, therefore.

 

[nycsavage]

I will have to double check, but I am all but certain that once you commit to KDP Select you are not permitted to sell hardcopies via your website. And I am 100% certain that you are no longer KDP Select eligible if you hardback the book with an agent.

KDP is doing a lot of high quality promotion for you and expects exclusivity in return.


EDIT:

Clear as mud:

https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=A6KILDRNSCOBA

The first paragraph makes clear and distinct delineation of 'digital' and 'physical' distribution; the second paragraph is all encompassing in that no such delineation is made. Cake is a lie, therefore.

That's some good research you did there, I think I am going to go ahead and if it is queried, I will quote the first part to them and try my luck lol

 

[jessica7689]

i created 3 books today, 2 on thursday and 2 on friday all on free promotion but no reviews, is there away to speed up review process before it ends?