The truth about Selling Books on Amazon KDP as a Beginner

The Truth About Self-Publishing: Why It’s Not a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme

Author

Ark
June 04, 2025

The internet is flooded with videos promising overnight riches: “Sell this PDF and make $5,000 a month!” or “Create this journal and earn $10,000!” While some people do achieve success through self-publishing, these claims are misleading and set unrealistic expectations. Creating a digital product like a book, journal, or planner and publishing it on platforms like Amazon KDP is not a magic ticket to instant wealth. Success in self-publishing requires far more than just creating a product and hoping sales will flood in. Let me share my experience and explain why.

My Journey as a Ghostwriter and Designer on Fiverr

For years, I’ve worked on Fiverr as a ghostwriter and designer, creating over 500 books and designing more than 200, including word search puzzles, journals, devotionals for women, teens, and kids, and more. My passion for writing initially drew me to Amazon KDP—not to publish my own books at first, but to explore the creative side of the platform. I published my memoir, but my primary role was helping clients bring their book ideas to life.

Through countless Zoom calls and conversations with clients, I learned a harsh truth: many of them were inspired by those same “get-rich-quick” videos. They’d hire me to write or design a book, expecting it to sell like hotcakes on Amazon KDP. But the reality? Despite receiving glowing feedback on the quality of the books, many clients saw little to no sales. They’d come back to me, frustrated, saying, “The book is great, but I’m not making any money. How do I boost sales?”

The Reality of Selling on Amazon KDP

This feedback shaped my perspective. I worked with clients to refine their book descriptions, titles, and subtitles and to develop strategies to position their books for success. But the competition on Amazon KDP is fierce. Simply publishing a book isn’t enough—you need a plan to stand out. That’s why I’m a firm believer in building a brand around your passions and strengths, rather than chasing trends.

If you’re a poet, for example, don’t publish a journal just because a YouTube video claims it’s profitable. Write poetry that reflects your experiences, emotions, and insights—content that connects with others and makes them feel less alone. Then, use platforms like YouTube or TikTok to share your story, promote your work, and drive traffic to your book. This approach builds a loyal audience and a sustainable brand.

I’ve seen clients fall into the trap of creating books based solely on what’s “trending.” They’d invest heavily—sometimes $1,000 to $2,000 for a manuscript—only to be disappointed when sales didn’t materialize. It was heartbreaking to hear, “The manuscript is amazing, but I’m not making my investment back.” This led me to shift my focus to helping clients with marketing strategies, like creating a Stand store to sell their products directly or leveraging social media to drive traffic.

Chasing trends might earn you a few bucks in the short term, but long-term success comes from consistency and authenticity. For example, I’ve seen creators focus on just three coloring books, publish them on Amazon KDP, and market them through TikTok videos of themselves coloring. This targeted approach drives traffic to their books and builds a recognizable brand.

Lessons from My Own Publishing Journey

When I started publishing my own books, I tested the waters myself. I learned that organic sales are possible—one book might bring in $50 a month—but it takes time and strategy. I experimented with Amazon ads, spending as much as $60 with zero sales to show for it. It’s a learning process, and there’s no shortcut. Success requires understanding your audience, refining your marketing, and sometimes even exploring alternatives to Amazon KDP, like selling directly through a Stand store or building a following on social media.

My Advice for Aspiring Self-Publishers

If you’re considering self-publishing, here’s what I’ve learned:

  1. Know Your Audience: Before creating a product, identify your target audience. Have you built a following on social media? If not, start now. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram are free tools to connect with potential readers.

  2. Focus on Your Strengths: Create products that align with your passions and expertise. If you love writing children’s books, invest your time in building a series and marketing it effectively.

  3. Build a Brand: Don’t just publish a book—create a brand around who you are and what you stand for. Share your story, your process, and your products on social media to drive traffic.

  4. Be Realistic About Sales: Success doesn’t happen overnight. Even with a great product, you’ll need to experiment with marketing, ads, and audience engagement to see results.

  5. Explore Alternatives: Platforms like Amazon KDP are great, but don’t overlook direct sales through a Stand store or other channels. These can be more profitable if you’re actively promoting your work.

Final Thoughts

The “create this and get rich” narrative is misleading. Self-publishing is a journey that requires hard work, strategy, and patience. By focusing on your audience, leveraging your strengths, and building a brand, you can create digital products that not only sell but also resonate with readers. Use social media to your advantage, experiment with marketing, and don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working. Most importantly, stay true to your passion—it’s the foundation of sustainable success.

Subscribe for more insights, and let’s keep building something meaningful together. God bless!

#Innovation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #Technology #Career #Networking #Business #Motivation #FutureOfWork

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