How To Publish Low Content Books On Amazon KDP

Introduction.

When people think of publishing on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), they often imagine novels, self-help books, or other written works that require a lot of time and effort to write.

But here’s something many might not realize—Amazon KDP can also be a fantastic platform for low-content books. These are books that require minimal written content, like journals, planners, sketchbooks, and coloring books.

They’re often much simpler and faster to produce than traditional books, which has made them a popular choice for side income, creative projects, or even as a fun way to dip a toe into the world of self-publishing.

Low-content books can be a great option if you’re interested in publishing but don’t have the time or resources to create a full-length manuscript.

Best of all, with Amazon KDP, you can publish these types of books for free, reach a wide audience, and even start earning royalties with little overhead cost.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps of creating and publishing a low-content book on KDP, the pros and cons of this type of publishing, and some frequently asked questions that people have before diving in.

What Exactly Are Low-Content Books?

Low-content books are any type of book with minimal written content. Instead of pages filled with text, they may have blank pages, prompts, or templates for the user to fill out. Examples of popular low-content books include:

• Journals and diaries
• Planners and calendars
• Notebooks
• Coloring books
• Puzzle books
• Recipe logs

These books serve as tools for readers rather than reading material, and the focus is more on design and layout than written content.

This makes them relatively easy and fast to create, especially if you’re familiar with design tools or are willing to learn.

Why Publish Low-Content Books?

The interest in low-content publishing has surged recently, with many creators seeing it as a low-risk way to earn passive income. Here are a few reasons why low-content books might be worth exploring:

1. Minimal Upfront Costs: You don’t need a budget for professional editors, expensive cover designers, or marketing. You can often create these books using free or affordable design tools.
2. Quick Production Time: Because these books require less writing, you can create and publish them faster. Some low-content creators publish several books a month.
3. Growing Market Demand: Journals, planners, and coloring books have steady demand. People use them for organization, relaxation, and creativity, making these books a regular purchase.
4. Easy-to-Use Platforms: Amazon KDP provides all the tools you need to upload, publish, and market your low-content books. Plus, Amazon’s reach means your book is immediately available to a global audience.
5. Passive Income Opportunity: Once published, your book can earn money indefinitely. It can be a set-it-and-forget-it stream of income that requires little upkeep.

While there are certainly advantages to this approach, it’s not without its challenges. Low-content books are easy to create, but that also means there’s a lot of competition. Standing out in a crowded marketplace takes creativity, good design, and a clear understanding of your target audience.

How Do I  Publish Low Content Books On Amazon KDP?

1. Choose a Niche.

Successful low-content books often target specific interests or needs. Think about what kind of journal, planner, or coloring book people would find helpful or entertaining.

Consider popular niches like gratitude journals, goal-setting planners, or adult coloring books with unique themes.

2. Create the Content.

For journals and planners, you’ll be creating interior layouts with templates or prompts. For coloring books, you’ll need line art that people can color.

Tools like Canva, Adobe InDesign, and even PowerPoint are popular for creating simple page layouts, while more complex designs may require software like Adobe Illustrator.

3. Design the Cover.

Your cover is the first thing people will see, so it should be eye-catching and professional. Amazon KDP offers a cover creator tool, but for better results, you may want to use a design tool like Canva or hire a designer if it’s within your budget.

4. Format for KDP.

Amazon KDP provides formatting guidelines, so make sure to check their specifications for book dimensions, bleed, and margin sizes.

For low-content books, you’ll typically choose paperback format, although some options are available for hardcover.

5. Upload to Amazon KDP.

Once your book is ready, log into KDP, select “Create a New Title,” and follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to upload your interior file, cover, and provide details like book title, description, keywords, and categories.

6. Set Your Price and Royalties.

KDP lets you set your own pricing, with royalties typically ranging between 40-60% of the book’s price. Consider researching similar books to find a competitive price point that still provides a good royalty rate.

7. Publish and Promote.

After publishing, Amazon will review your book, and once approved, it will go live on their marketplace.

From there, you can start promoting it through social media, websites, or even Amazon ads if you’re willing to invest a bit in marketing.

Pros and Cons of Publishing Low-Content Books on Amazon KDP

Pros

• Low Cost and Low Risk: You can start with almost no upfront cost, and Amazon KDP doesn’t charge fees to list your book.
• Quick Production and Publishing: A low-content book can be created and published in days or weeks, as opposed to months or years.
• Passive Income: Once published, a low-content book can continue to generate income for years.

Cons

• High Competition: Since low-content books are easy to make, there’s a lot of competition. It can take time for your book to gain traction.
• Lower Price Points: Many low-content books sell for relatively low prices, which means you’ll need to sell more copies to earn a significant income.
• Marketing Effort Required: Even with a great book, you may need to actively market it to stand out, which can take time and effort.

FAQs

1. Can I make money with low-content books?

Yes, but the amount you earn depends on factors like the quality of your designs, how well your book resonates with readers, and how effectively you market it.

Some creators make a steady side income, while others even build a full-time income with a large portfolio.

2. Do I need design skills?

Basic design skills help, especially if you’re creating interiors or covers. But there are many resources to help beginners, including design tools like Canva, templates, and tutorials.

3. Are there specific niches that work best?

Popular niches include wellness journals, productivity planners, coloring books, and specialized notebooks (like gratitude or mood trackers). The key is to find a unique angle or cater to a specific audience to stand out from the competition.

4. Can I publish these books under a pen name?

Yes, Amazon KDP allows you to publish under a pen name, which is helpful if you want to explore different genres or build a brand separate from your real name.

5. Do I need to buy an ISBN?

No, Amazon provides a free ISBN for each book published on KDP. However, if you prefer to use your own ISBN, you have the option to do so.

Conclusion

Publishing low-content books on Amazon KDP is an accessible, creative, and potentially profitable venture, especially if you’re willing to put in the work to design attractive, useful books that appeal to readers.

It’s a great option if you want to explore self-publishing without committing to a lengthy writing process, and it can offer a way to build passive income over time.

Are you ready to start your own journey with low-content books on Amazon KDP? Or do you still have questions about where to begin?