Amazon stands as the biggest retailer in the world. Publication on Amazon is accessible for free to all. All you have to do is upload your book after creating a publishing account with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Amazon had published two million books by the end of 2019. And still, new books are published at a rate of about one every five minutes.
Is Self-publishing on Amazon really free?
Self-publishing on Amazon is accessible to all, but it does not ensure that your book will sell. You have to make every effort to make your book competitive and marketable in order to stand out among the millions of other books on Amazon.
The majority of authors self-publish their books for between $2,000 and $4,000, which covers marketing, cover design, formatting, and editing.
Let’s break it down.
What to Do to Help Your Book Compete?
The three main areas to consider are cover design, editing, and marketing. These all go hand in hand.
Giving your book a great cover is the most effective marketing tactic you can use. The better your book looks, the more likely potential readers will click on it. Then, when your readers get to your book’s product page, Amazon’s Look Inside feature lets them see the first 10% of the book. This may either seal the deal and secure their purchase or turn them off completely.
Any spelling or grammar errors glare and can deter a buyer from purchasing your book. Clumsy writing or long sentences may turn away a potential reader. Having a good editor is critical to ensuring that your content lives up to its cover.
Once you are confident in your book, you need to make sure that it sells. To make your book competitive, you need:
- A genre-specific cover.
- A skilled editor who understands your genre.
- A marketing plan tailored to your target audience.
This means you must budget for each of the following items:
- Cover design.
- Editing.
- Marketing.
How much you spend depends on your budget. But think about how much you want your book to succeed. Your investment in making the book marketable will pay off in royalties.
Cover Design
Choosing a book cover design is one of the most important decisions you can make. Your book’s cover is the first thing your audience notices. Consider hiring a book cover designer as one of your top priorities before publishing your book.
An experienced cover designer understands how to make each element of your cover stand out—the title, your name, and, most importantly, the image. A designer who is familiar with your genre understands what elements readers look for on a book cover.
Readers have expectations and look for clues regarding the genre on the cover. A cozy mystery and a suspense thriller have completely different graphic and visual expectations. You want your readers to know that your book is exactly the type of book they enjoy reading.
The cover is your best chance of making your book stand out from the hundreds of thousands of others on Amazon and other retailers. Even when a reader searches by genre, your cover should match their expectations. Consider your cover as a brand ambassador for your story.
How Much Will a Cover Design Cost?
Book cover designs vary in price. Some designers offer a stock cover to which they can add your book information. These usually range from $50 to $100. If you are on a tight budget and can find a pre-made cover that fits your book, this is a possible option. Remember that someone else might choose the same design.
Typically, beginner designers charge between $300 and $500. Experienced designers typically charge between $500 and $800. Top-tier designers typically charge between $800 and $1,500.
As you can see, you have an extensive range of fees. Choose a designer within your budget to give your book the best possible standout treatment.
How to Find a Cover Designer?
If you see a cover you like, check the inside flap to see who is credited. Alternatively, if you have friends who have published, ask them who designed their cover. The benefit of working with an individual designer is that you will have input on color schemes and images.
New writers frequently use crowd-sourced services such as 99Designs, CrowdSpring, and DesignCrowd. Before selecting a designer, make sure you have a variety of samples. You submit your request, and several designers will respond with ideas. Then, you choose your favorite design.
Editing
From story ideas to polished manuscripts, editors will assist you in creating the best book possible. An editor provides an outside, objective opinion of your text. Editing makes reading your book more enjoyable for readers because they are not distracted by story gaps, clunky writing, or grammar errors.
To benefit from the objective overview, ignore artistic feelings and concentrate on the recommendations. Three types of editing help your manuscript become a story that readers want to read.
- Developmental Editing. You will get an in-depth look at every aspect of your story. This type of editing highlights your storyline and plot, looking for plot holes, inconsistencies, and better ways to tell your story.
- A review of the language you use. The editor looks for the most effective ways to structure your sentences and paragraphs in order to improve readability. Editing suggestions reveal language that is fluid, clear, and enjoyable for your reader.
- This final editing step focuses on consistency, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax. After you’ve completed all of your other editorial changes, this step ensures accuracy before you publish.
Each editing process has a specific focus. When you combine all three, you can work from the big picture to the smallest details.
Editing Costs
Editing fees are fairly standard, but there will be some variation in how they are set. Some editors charge by the word, others by the page, and others by the hour, based on how many pages they can cover in that time.
- Developmental editing. The sound average is $.09 per word, or $15 per page. Developmental editing rates for your manuscript typically range between $.07 and $.12 per word. Some developmental editors charge by the manuscript page, ranging from $7.50 to $20 per page.
- This editing stage typically costs between $.02 and $.04 per word. Some copy editors charge by the manuscript page, ranging from $2.50 to $5 per page.
- A basic proofread of your manuscript typically costs $0.01 to $0.02 per word. Some proofreaders charge by the manuscript page, ranging from $1.50 to $3.50 per page.
Some experienced editors charge per project. This fee is calculated based on your genre and page length. Additionally, some editors provide both copy editing and proofreading services.
To understand it better, let’s break down average fees for a 60,000-word manuscript as follows:
Developmental editing costs $1,440 (or approximately $7 per page). Copy editing costs $1,020 (or approximately $5 per page). Proofreading costs $600 (or approximately $3 per page).
When creating a budget, keep in mind that proofreading is essential for any manuscript.
Marketing
Book marketing can be time-consuming or costly, but it’ll be worth it in the end. A basic author platform, including a website, will help you expand your reader base.
Website
Your author’s website serves as the base of your marketing efforts. You can set up a low-cost website using services like Wix, Squarespace, or Flowww. Wix and Squarespace will cost you approximately $35 per month. Flowww is currently free.
Email List
Many email service providers allow you to create a list at no cost. MailerLite, MailChimp, and ConvertKit all offer starter programs. As your list grows, you will be charged a small monthly fee.
Social Media
Separate your author presence from any social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can promote your book on social media for free.
Advertise your book on social media. You can link your Facebook page to your Instagram account and advertise your book using targeted ads for as little as $1 per day. Of course, you can spend more.
Amazon
When you publish your book on Amazon, you can advertise to customers shopping for books in your genre. Depending on your budget, the cost can start at about $3 a day and up. Amazon advertising is a highly effective way to promote your new book.
Enroll in KDP Select to run price promotions on Amazon. Once you’ve set up a price promotion, Amazon will help spread the word to readers in your niche. With this option, you must keep your books exclusive to Amazon. Some authors begin with this option and then leave KDP Select to publish through other retailers.
Third-Party Promotions
These are time intensive finding the right place, but it will help you boost awareness for your book. Contact book review blogs and free and paid book promotion services to get reviews and increase reader awareness.
Book Marketing Services
If you’d prefer to spend your time on writing, you can hire a book promotion service. The marketer will set up your campaigns by identifying your target readers, directing traffic to your book, and converting readers into actual buyers. Services include managing your email marketing and advertising to help you find new readers. The cost varies according to the services you choose.
Bottom Line
Even though you can publish for free on Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), you will need to spend money to sell copies of your book and attract readers. It is entirely up to you how you allocate your book budget.
FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the primary costs of publishing a book on Amazon?
Publication of a book on Amazon mostly costs editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing. Although Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) tool is free to use, these additional services may incur charges. Your decisions might also lead you to make investments in book trailers, professional consulting, or marketing efforts. The quality and scope of services chosen greatly affect the total cost, which ranges from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
2. Do I have to pay a professional editor when publishing on Amazon?
Since publishing on Amazon significantly impacts the quality of your book, hiring a professional editor is strongly recommended. Though it’s not a necessary expense, well-edited books are more likely to be successful, getting better reviews and more sales. While editing pricing can vary, investing in this service guarantees that your book is error-free and polished—qualities necessary to draw readers and stand out in a crowded market.
3. Is a cover design an essential expense for publishing on Amazon?
Indeed, when publishing a book on Amazon, cover design is a major investment. A professionally created cover can make a big difference in attracting possible buyers. Many times, readers evaluate books based on their covers; thus, investing in a top-notch, aesthetically pleasing design is quite important. Although Amazon’s free cover creator is available, a custom design usually produces better results, so improving the marketability and attractiveness of your book to your target readership.
4. Can I publish a book on Amazon without upfront costs?
Indeed, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allows you to publish a book on Amazon without upfront costs. Amazon charges no publishing fees; you can use free tools, including their cover creator and formatting guidelines. But, to ensure professional quality, you might wish to invest in editing, cover design, and marketing. Although you could self-publish for free, these optional costs can improve your book’s chances of success.
5. How much should I budget for marketing my Amazon-published book?
Marketing costs for your Amazon-published book can vary widely, depending on your strategy. Budgeting includes email campaigns, social media promotions, and Amazon ads. You might also make investments in expert services including press releases, book reviews, or promotional videos. Costs might range from $50 to many thousand dollars. A well-thought budget that aligns with your marketing objectives guarantees that your book reaches the appropriate audience and generates the expected impact.