How To Sell Print On Demand Books On Amazon

Introduction.

Self-publishing print-on-demand (POD) books on Amazon has become an incredibly popular way to make passive income, reach new audiences, and turn a hobby into a business.

For authors and creators, Amazon’s reach and ease of use make it an ideal platform to sell books without worrying about inventory or upfront costs.

With print-on-demand, you only pay when a customer makes a purchase, making it accessible and low-risk. But getting started can feel overwhelming, especially with the various steps, tools, and strategies involved in making your book visible and appealing to potential buyers.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything from the basics of Amazon’s POD model to tips for optimizing your book’s design, pricing, and marketing.

What is Print On Demand (POD)?

Print-on-demand is a process where books are printed only when a customer places an order. This is an alternative to traditional publishing, which often requires authors to invest heavily in printing thousands of copies and storing them until they’re sold.

With POD, there’s no upfront cost for inventory, which minimizes risk. Amazon offers this through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), their platform where you can easily publish and sell both eBooks and paperback books.

When you publish through Amazon KDP, your book is listed on Amazon, one of the largest online marketplaces.

Customers can order your book like any other product, and Amazon will handle the printing, shipping, and customer service for each sale.

How Do I Sell Print On Demand Books On Amazon?

1. Set Up Your Amazon KDP Account.

If you don’t already have one, create an Amazon KDP account at kdp.amazon.com. It’s free and requires only basic information, like your name, bank details, and tax information for royalties. Once your account is set up, you can begin publishing books.

2. Format Your Book.

Amazon accepts various file types, but the most commonly used formats for POD books are PDF (for print layout) and EPUB (for eBooks).

You’ll want to format your book according to Amazon’s guidelines to ensure a seamless printing process and a polished final product.

Amazon offers a formatting tool called Kindle Create, which can help with designing your book’s layout.

3. Design Your Book Cover.

A visually appealing cover is critical. For POD, the cover should not only look good on a screen but also in printed form.

Amazon provides a Cover Creator tool, but you can also use design software like Canva or Adobe Photoshop for more control.

If you’re unsure about your design skills, you can hire freelance designers on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.

4. Set Your Pricing.

Price your book competitively based on the costs of production and the market standard. Amazon allows you to set your royalties, typically offering between 40% and 60% of each sale.

Lower prices often attract more buyers, but you want to ensure your pricing covers printing costs and leaves room for profit.

5. Upload Your Book.

Upload your formatted book file, cover, and details (such as title, description, keywords, and categories) to Amazon KDP. Be thorough with your keywords and categories—these are crucial for Amazon’s search algorithm to index your book and make it more discoverable.

6. Publish and Promote.

Once you’ve reviewed and approved your book’s details, you can publish it on Amazon. Your book will appear on Amazon within 72 hours.

From there, promoting it is essential for reaching more readers.

Amazon’s Advertising, social media marketing, and targeted outreach to relevant groups (such as book clubs or genre-specific forums) are all effective strategies for promotion.

Pros and Cons of Selling Print-on-Demand Books on Amazon

Pros:

Low Financial Risk: No upfront printing costs or inventory requirements.
Global Reach: Your book is available to Amazon’s global customer base.
Easy Setup: Amazon KDP is user-friendly and requires no technical expertise.
Automated Services: Amazon handles printing, shipping, and customer support.
Royalties and Pricing Control: Set your royalties and price within Amazon’s guidelines.

Cons:

Competitive Market: Thousands of books are published daily, making it hard to stand out.
Amazon’s Fee Structure: Amazon takes a cut from each sale, which can impact profits.
Limited Customization: Amazon offers limited control over printing quality and design, compared to traditional publishing.

Tips for Selling More Print-on-Demand Books on Amazon

Optimize Your Keywords and Categories
To get your book noticed, choose keywords that your target audience would search for. Amazon allows up to seven keywords or phrases, so make each one count. Similarly, pick the best categories to increase visibility, ensuring your book is listed where readers are most likely to find it.
Leverage Amazon Ads
Amazon Advertising can help increase your book’s visibility by targeting it to potential buyers who are already browsing similar products. Start with a modest budget, analyze which keywords are working, and adjust accordingly.
Encourage Reviews
Reviews add credibility and help new customers decide to purchase. Ask friends, family, or early readers to leave honest reviews. Avoid paying for reviews or engaging in any activities that might violate Amazon’s review policies, as this can result in penalties.
Offer a Competitive Price
Price your book competitively, especially when starting. A slightly lower price can make your book more appealing to new readers and help you build a loyal customer base over time.
Promote Outside Amazon
Use social media, blogging, and other platforms to create interest in your book. Engaging with niche communities, book clubs, and relevant online groups can significantly increase your book’s reach.

FAQ

Q: How long does it take for a POD book to be published on Amazon?

A: After you submit your book, it typically takes 24-72 hours for it to go live on Amazon.

Q: Can I publish both an eBook and paperback version?

A: Yes, Amazon KDP allows you to publish both formats. Many authors find it beneficial to offer both options to appeal to a broader audience.

Q: How much does Amazon charge for printing costs?

A: Amazon’s printing costs vary depending on factors like page count and colour. Black-and-white books typically have lower costs than colour ones. Amazon provides a calculator on KDP so you can estimate these costs beforehand.

Q: Can I update my book after it’s published?

A: Yes, you can update your book’s content, cover, or details anytime. However, it may take 24-72 hours for these changes to reflect on Amazon.

Q: Do I need an ISBN?

A: Amazon provides a free ISBN if you don’t have one. Alternatively, you can purchase one if you want more control over your book’s distribution.

Q: Will my book be available worldwide?

A: Yes, by default, Amazon KDP distributes your book to multiple Amazon marketplaces globally, but you can also choose specific regions if you prefer.

Conclusion

Selling print-on-demand books on Amazon offers an exciting way to reach a global audience with minimal upfront investment.

It’s not without challenges—competition is fierce, and marketing is essential—but with the right approach, selling POD books on Amazon can be highly rewarding.

So, whether you’re looking to establish a full-fledged business or simply share your writing with others, Amazon’s POD platform provides the tools and flexibility to make it happen.

Are you ready to publish your first print-on-demand book on Amazon? What’s holding you back?