For indie authors, one of the most pivotal decisions is whether to go Amazon KDP exclusive or distribute their books widely across multiple platforms.
Both paths have their pros and cons, and what works for one author may not necessarily work for another.
This post delves into the intricacies of both options, along with exploring unconventional avenues like subscription models and crowdfunding.
Amazon KDP Exclusive: The Pros and Cons
Being exclusive with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) means that you are committing to publish your digital book solely through Amazon’s platform.
By enrolling in KDP Select, your eBook becomes available for lending through Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, offering an additional revenue stream.
In return, you receive benefits like promotional opportunities and potentially higher royalties.
However, during this exclusivity period, you are restricted from distributing your eBook through any other online platforms or stores.
Pros:
- Higher Royalties: With KDP Select, you can earn up to 70% royalties.
- Promotional Tools: Amazon provides exclusive promotional opportunities like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions.
- Kindle Unlimited: Your books become available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers, providing another revenue stream.
Cons:
- Limited Reach: You’re confined to Amazon’s ecosystem, potentially missing out on audiences from other platforms.
- Dependency: If Amazon changes its rules or suffers a setback, it can significantly impact your income.
- Lack of Control: Amazon has the final say on pricing and promotions in various countries.
Going Wide: Beyond Amazon
Opting to “go wide” means distributing your eBooks across multiple platforms and online retailers, instead of just Amazon’s KDP.
This strategy allows you to reach a broader audience, as you’re not confined to just Kindle readers.
You can publish your books on platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble, among others.
While you may not get some of the promotional perks that come with being Amazon-exclusive, you do gain the advantage of diversifying your income streams and reducing your dependency on a single platform.
Pros:
- Diverse Revenue Streams: Multiple platforms mean multiple income sources.
- Global Reach: Going wide helps you tap into international markets where Amazon may not be dominant.
- Less Risk: Spreading your portfolio makes you less vulnerable to changes in terms or algorithms from any single platform.
Cons:
- Lower Immediate Returns: It might take time to build an audience on different platforms.
- Marketing Complexity: Promoting your book across various platforms can be more challenging and time-consuming.
Beyond The Usual: Subscription Models and Crowdfunding
While the debate between Amazon KDP exclusivity and going wide often takes centre stage, it’s crucial not to overlook other compelling options available to indie authors.
In an ever-evolving literary landscape, alternative routes like subscription models and crowdfunding offer unique advantages and opportunities for diversifying revenue and reaching new audiences.
In this section, we’ll delve into these less traditional paths, helping you to consider a broader spectrum of possibilities for your publishing journey.
- Subscription Services: Platforms like Scribd or Patreon allow you to offer content for a monthly fee. It’s an excellent way for authors to have a stable, recurring income.
- Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter can be a way to fund a project before you even start, giving you a sense of how much interest there is for your work.
- Unique Offerings: If you’re writing a fantasy novel, consider giving away supplementary content like maps or character sketches.
The Bigger Picture: Long-term Strategy and Industry Health
It’s easy to be lured by the immediate benefits offered by Amazon’s KDP Select programme—increased visibility, promotional tools, and a share of the Kindle Unlimited pie.
However, it’s crucial to weigh these short-term advantages against the potential long-term risks.
Consider your dependency on a single platform.
Amazon is a tech giant, but even giants aren’t immune to technical glitches, policy shifts, or market changes.
Should any of these occur, how resilient would your author business be?
If Amazon were to change their commission structure, remove promotional tools, or experience a significant outage, the repercussions on your income could be severe.
Placing all your eggs in one basket is risky—diversification is often a safer, more sustainable strategy.
Let’s look at the broader ecosystem.
When more authors choose to distribute their work across multiple platforms, it fosters a healthier, more competitive environment.
Competition generally drives innovation, leading to better services, terms, and promotional opportunities for authors.
Moreover, multiple sales channels can contribute to a more stable income, protecting you against the vicissitudes of a single platform.
By opting to go wide, you’re not just thinking about your own long-term prospects but also contributing to a more robust and vibrant publishing landscape.
While Amazon will likely remain a significant player, a multi-platform approach enriches the ecosystem for everyone involved, ensuring a more resilient and diverse industry for the future.
The Art of Being Nimble: Maximising Flexibility as an Indie Author
In the ever-changing landscape of indie publishing, one of your greatest assets is the ability to be nimble.
Unlike corporate publishing routes, which often involve long-term contracts and less control over your work, indie publishing grants you the flexibility to experiment with various distribution and monetisation strategies.
Writing a Book as a Serial
Platforms like Patreon or Substack allow you to share your book one chapter at a time, building an audience who are invested in your story from the ground up.
This not only provides a steady income but also allows you to gauge reader reaction and potentially adjust the story in real-time based on feedback.
Crowdfunding a Paperback
Once your serial or digital book has generated sufficient interest, you might opt to launch a crowdfunding campaign for a paperback edition.
Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo are excellent venues for this, offering a way to gauge interest and secure funding before committing to a print run.
Launching on KDP Select for 90 Days
With the serial complete, pull it from other platforms and launch your book exclusively on Amazon’s KDP Select for a 90-day period can help you maximise initial earnings and take advantage of Amazon’s promotional tools.
After the 90-day exclusivity ends, you can then ‘go wide’ with your distribution.
Going Wide
Taking your book wide means listing it on multiple platforms such as Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
This opens your work to a larger audience, diversifies your income streams, and makes you less dependent on a single retailer.
Use aggregators such as Draft2Digital and Publish Drive to get your books into multiple stores.
Special Edition Hardbacks through Kickstarter
Once you’ve built up a following and have a catalogue to showcase, consider running a Kickstarter campaign for a special edition hardback.
Such editions can include exclusive content, artwork, or other incentives that make them collector’s items.
The More Books, The Merrier
The more extensive your catalogue, the more opportunities you’ll have to experiment with these different avenues.
Whether you’re alternating between KDP Select and wide distribution, or experimenting with serials and special editions, each book can be a test case for a different approach.
Being nimble allows you to adapt to market changes, take calculated risks, and find out what works best for you and your audience.
You’re not locked into any single approach—you have the freedom to try, adapt, and change strategies as you go along, thereby creating a more robust and dynamic author business.
Choosing between Amazon KDP Exclusive and going wide is a complex decision involving multiple factors, including your book’s genre, your marketing abilities, and your career goals.
While Amazon may offer short-term gains, diversification might serve you better in the long run.
Moreover, don’t overlook unconventional platforms that could offer more freedom and revenue streams.
Have you tried both Amazon exclusivity and going wide? Which one worked better for you, and why?
CherryEdits 