How to Sell eBooks on Amazon – Step by Step Guide

Is there a book idea in your head, or have you written something? Good! Want to know how to sell eBooks on Amazon? Yes! You can reach many readers and make money. Here are the steps to put your eBook into the hands of readers.

Step 1: Write a Book People Actually Want

This sounds obvious. But many get it wrong.

• Choose Your Subject: What sells? What do you know well? Look on Amazon. See what’s popular. Find where demand meets your knowledge. Don’t guess. Research.
• Plan Your Content: Make an outline. Seriously. Know your chapters. Know your key points. A plan stops waffle. It makes writing faster. It makes the book better.
• Do the Writing: Now, write. Use clear words. Keep sentences short. Make it engaging. Use headings. Use lists if needed. Help people read it easily.
• Edit. Then Edit Again: First draft done? Good. Now fix it. Read it aloud. Catch errors. Improve flow. Bad writing kills sales. If editing isn’t your strength, pay someone. Get it clean.

Read also: Top 10 Profitable Amazon Kindle Niches to Explore

Step 2: Format Your eBook for Kindle

Your book needs to look right on screen. Don’t mess this up.

• File Format: KDP (Amazon’s platform) takes common formats. A Word file (.docx) often works. They can convert it. EPUB is also good. Keep it simple.
• Check How It Looks: Amazon has a free tool. It’s called Kindle Previewer. Use it. See your book on different screen sizes. Fix weird spacing. Fix bad breaks. Before you publish.
• Your Cover is Crucial: It’s the first thing people see. It needs to look professional. It must grab attention. Use Canva for a budget option. Hire a designer if possible. A great cover helps sell. Period.

Step 3: Set Up Your Amazon KDP Hub

This is where you manage everything. It’s straightforward.

• Get an Amazon Account: You need one. If you buy stuff on Amazon, you have one. If not, sign up.
• Join KDP: Go to the Kindle Direct Publishing site. Sign in with your Amazon account.
• Fill Out Your Info: They need details. Tax information is vital. Bank details are too (for payments). Give them the correct information.

Step 4: Publish! Get Your eBook Live on Amazon

Time to upload your work. Pay attention here.

• Start a New eBook: Inside KDP, click ‘Create’. Choose ‘Kindle eBook’.
• Enter Book Information: This is key for people finding your book.
  • Title/Subtitle: Clear. Catchy. Tells people what it is.
  • Author: Your name. Or a pen name. Your choice.
  • Description: Your sales pitch. Make it good. Why should someone buy this book? Tell them.
  • Keywords: What search terms will readers use? Think like a buyer. Be specific. Use all the keyword slots.
  • Categories: Pick the two best ‘aisles’ for your book. Helps readers find it.
• Upload Manuscript & Cover: Upload your edited book file. Upload your sharp cover design. Check the online preview again.
• Set Your Price & Royalty: Choose 35% or 70% royalty. Read the rules for 70% (price limits apply). Look at similar books. Price fairly. Don’t undervalue, don’t overcharge.
• Hit Publish: Everything looks okay? Click the button. Your book usually appears on Amazon within 1-3 days. Be patient.

Step 5: Promote Your eBook

Publishing is just step one. Now you need readers.

• Use Social Media: Post your book link. Talk about what’s inside. Share snippets. Don’t just spam the link; be interesting.
• Your Website/Blog: Got one? Write about your book. Use Amazon’s affiliate links (Amazon Associates) for extra pennies per sale.
• Email List: If you have subscribers, email them. They often become your first buyers and reviewers. Build a list if you don’t have one.
• Ask for Reviews (Politely): Reviews help sales massively. Ask readers for an honest review on Amazon. Don’t push, just ask.
• Paid Ads (Optional): Got a budget? You can try Amazon Ads. Target relevant keywords. Start small. Track results. See if it works for you.

Step 6: Track Sales & Learn from Feedback

Keep your finger on the pulse.

• Check KDP Reports: Log in often. See what’s selling. See your earnings. Know your numbers.
• Read Your Reviews: Good or bad, learn from them. What did readers like? What issues did they find?
• Update Your Book: Found typos? Got ideas to improve it based on feedback? Upload a revised version. Keep making it better.

Step 7: Think Bigger (Maybe Later)

If your eBook does well, think about more formats.

• Audiobook: Many prefer listening. ACX is Amazon’s platform to create audiobooks.
• Print Version: Want a physical copy? KDP Print offers print-on-demand paperbacks. Easy to set up.

That’s the process. It requires effort. No shortcuts to quality. But you can sell eBooks on Amazon. Following these steps gives you a clear path.