Amazon KDP: How to Make Thousands of Dollars Every Month with Amazon KDP

Amazon KDP: How I Make 1000 of Dollars Every Month with Amazon KDP

 

Are you looking for a reliable, sustainable way to earn thousands of dollars every month—without relying on anyone else? If so, you’re in the right place. I’ve personally made over $1.7 million using this business model, and the best part is that you don’t need special qualifications, a good credit score, or even to show your face online. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a willingness to learn.

With this business, you can work from anywhere in the world. I’ve built my income while living in Bali, Thailand, Hawaii, and even parts of Europe. I know what it’s like to feel trapped in a traditional 9-to-5 job. Back in 2016, I was making just $8 an hour plus commission at a retail job, struggling to save money while sharing a small apartment with five roommates. Every business I tried kept failing—until I discovered Amazon KDP. This business model changed my life, allowing me to quit my job and generate multiple six figures a year.

What is Amazon KDP?

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is a self-publishing platform where you can publish books without being a writer. Traditionally, big publishing companies like Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House find authors and publish books based on market trends. With Amazon KDP, you become your own publishing company by identifying what books are selling and creating books that meet that demand.

If you’re worried about not being a writer or not speaking perfect English, don’t be. I moved from Japan to the U.S. at 14 and struggled with English, yet I succeeded. Many of my students who don’t speak English as their first language have achieved incredible results—one student from Italy made $161,000 in his first year with just 10 books, while another from France made over $1 million in 2.5 years.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): A Complete Guide to Earning Money by Publishing Books Online

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is one of the best platforms for aspiring authors and entrepreneurs to publish books and earn passive income. Whether you want to publish an eBook, paperback, or even a hardcover, Amazon KDP provides an easy and accessible way to sell your work to millions of readers worldwide.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Amazon KDP, from setting up an account to optimizing your books for maximum sales.

Why Amazon KDP is the Best Online Business for Beginners

Most online businesses require ongoing work. Agencies and freelancing demand constant client interaction, while physical product businesses like Amazon FBA involve inventory and shipping issues. But Amazon KDP offers the Freedom Trifecta: financial freedom, time freedom, and location freedom.

• You can be anonymous – Use a pen name, like J.K. Rowling did for Harry Potter.
• It generates passive income – Books published years ago can still make money.
• Amazon does all the heavy lifting – Printing, shipping, and customer service are handled for you.

One of my students made $4,800 in a month despite barely working that month due to health issues and holidays. Since Amazon takes care of operations, you don’t need a warehouse, shipping logistics, or even to print books. The market for books is also growing—global book sales increase by 16% annually, and the audiobook market is set to triple by 2030.

Three Types of Books You Can Publish

There are three main categories of books on Amazon KDP:

1. Low-Content Books – Journals, planners, notebooks. These are easy to create (sometimes in 30 minutes using Canva), but they’re highly competitive.
2. Medium-Content Books – Coloring books, puzzle books, activity books. These require more effort, making them less competitive and more profitable.
3. High-Content Books – Full-length nonfiction books (150-200 pages). These take more time to create but offer multiple income streams:
   • Ebook version
   • Paperback version
   • Hardcover version
   • Audiobook version
   • Translations into other languages
   • Bundling with related books

For example, one of my books made $100/day in English and an extra $49/day after being translated into Spanish. This is why I always recommend high-content books—unlike journals, you can turn them into multiple income streams.

Benefits of Amazon KDP

1. Global Reach – Sell your books to millions of readers worldwide.
2. No Upfront Costs – Publishing on KDP is free; you earn money only when your book sells.
3. High Royalties – Earn up to 70% royalties on eBook sales and up to 60% on paperbacks.
4. Print-on-Demand – No need to maintain inventory; Amazon prints and ships books as they are ordered.
5. Full Control – You own your rights and decide your pricing, marketing strategies, and more.
   1. Log in to your KDP account.
   2. Click “Create a New Title” and choose between Kindle eBook, Paperback, or Hardcover.
   3. Enter book details like title, author name, and description.
   4. Upload your manuscript and book cover.

Choose keywords and categories for better discoverability.

How to Get Started with Amazon KDP

Step 1: Create an Amazon KDP Account

1. Visit https://kdp.amazon.com
2. Sign in using your Amazon account or create a new one.
3. Complete your profile by adding your payment details and tax information.

Step 2: Write and Format Your Book

Before publishing, ensure your book is well-written, edited, and properly formatted. You can use:

• Microsoft Word
• Google Docs
• Scrivener
• Kindle Create (Amazon’s formatting tool)

Step 3: Design a Professional Book Cover

A book cover is the first thing a potential reader notices. You can design one yourself using tools like Canva or hire a professional designer from platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.

Step 4: Upload Your Book to KDP

1. Log in to your KDP account.
2. Click “Create a New Title” and choose between Kindle eBook, Paperback, or Hardcover.
3. Enter book details like title, author name, and description.
4. Upload your manuscript and book cover.
5. Choose keywords and categories for better discoverability.

Step 5: Set Your Pricing and Publish

• Select royalty options (35% or 70%).
• Set your book’s price based on market research.
• Click “Publish” and wait for Amazon’s approval, which usually takes 24-72 hours.

Amazon KDP: A Digital Real Estate Model

I compare Amazon KDP to real estate investing—without the high costs. When you publish a book, it’s like owning a rental property that pays you royalties every month. Over time, you can build a portfolio of books, just like real estate investors build portfolios of properties. Even better, you can sell your Amazon KDP business. I sold my first KDP account for $820,000 and then started a new one, quickly scaling it back to six figures a year.

Marketing Strategies for Amazon KDP Success

Publishing a book is just the beginning; marketing is key to success. Here are some proven strategies:

1. Optimize Your Book Title & Description – Use keywords that readers search for to increase discoverability.
2. Leverage Amazon Ads – Run PPC (Pay-Per-Click) ads on Amazon to boost book visibility.
3. Promote on Social Media – Share your book on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
4. Build an Email List – Offer a freebie in exchange for email sign-ups and promote your books.
5. Use Kindle Unlimited (KU) & KDP Select – Enrolling in KDP Select allows your book to be included in Kindle Unlimited, increasing exposure and royalties.
6. Get Reviews – Encourage readers to leave reviews for credibility and higher rankings.

How Much Can You Earn from Amazon KDP?

Earnings depend on various factors like book pricing, niche, and marketing efforts. Some authors make a few hundred dollars a month, while others earn six-figure incomes.

For example:

• A $2.99 eBook at a 70% royalty earns about $2 per sale.
• A $9.99 paperback with a 60% royalty minus printing costs can earn around $4 per sale.

If you sell 500 copies a month, that’s easily $1,000–$2,000 in passive income!

How to Get Started with Amazon KDP

The most important first step isn’t writing a book—it’s market research. Identifying what people are already buying ensures your book will have demand. Many people fail because they skip this step and publish books no one wants.

Once you’ve done your research, you can create a high-quality book using ghostwriters, AI tools, or by writing it yourself. Quality matters—Amazon prioritizes books with good reviews, so spamming low-quality books won’t work.

Final Thoughts

Amazon KDP is one of the best business models for beginners. It provides passive income, location independence, and the ability to scale. If you treat this like a real business and follow a proven system, you can build a profitable publishing business—just like I did.

Start today by researching profitable book niches, and take the first step toward financial freedom!