When it comes to distributing ebooks, there’s a choice you’ll face many times during the course of your career: whether to distribute your books wide, or to join Amazon’s KDP Select.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and you may change strategies multiple times as your needs and goals change. Here is a breakdown of some of the pros and cons you should consider:
KDP Select: Pros
Simplicity – Amazon exclusivity streamlines your distribution strategy and reduces your workload on the back end
Higher Visibility in Amazon – In addition to being part of Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited, the Amazon algorithm favors KDP Select authors
Access to Bonuses: KDP Select offers specialty promotions in addition to paying bonuses to top authors
KDP Select: Cons
Limited Reach – Kindle Unlimited is only available in a handful of countries, limiting your reach. In addition, your ebooks won’t reach readers who prefer other retailers.
Gives Amazon Too Much Control – Amazon can cancel your KDP account at any time if they believe you have violated its terms of service, eliminating your only stream of ebook revenue instantly. The appeal process can be challenging.
Can’t Distribute to Libraries – When you join KDP Select, you can’t make your ebooks available to libraries (as a huge library supporter, this is a big one for me.) Your books will not be available in apps like Libby.
Wide Distribution: Pros
Multiple Income Streams – When you choose to distribute your ebooks widely, you’ll have money coming in from multiple sources each month. You may find that your book is even more successful on Kobo or Barnes & Noble than it is on Amazon.
Access to Serial Fiction Platforms – Amazon pulled the plug on Kindle Vella, but certain genres do well on international serial fiction apps.
You Can Sell Direct from your Website – Distributing your ebooks directly from your own website gives you the highest profit margin by far! You can also use subscription platforms like Ream, Patreon, and Substack.
BookBub Deals – BookBub is the gold standard for ebook promotions, and books in Kindle Unlimited are less and less preferred for BookBub featured deals.
Wide Distribution: Cons
More Complex & Time Consuming – Every time you release a new book or a new edition of a book, you will have to add or update it in multiple places. With more moving parts, there are more places for errors and hiccups.
Paid Ads are Less Profitable – KDP Select has easy tools that streamline promotions. You’ll need a strong marketing and promotion strategy to see an ROI on your advertising dollars.
ACTION STEPS:
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Assess your current distribution strategy, if applicable. Is it working for you?
- What would be the benefits of choosing KDP Select in the long term?
- What would be the benefits of choosing KDP Select for a short time only?
- What would be the benefits of distributing wide?