I earn money passively from ebooks — Here’s how I do it (2024)

FAQs

Can you really make money with eBooks? ›

Is It Profitable to Sell Ebooks? Ebooks are profitable, but simply publishing one is not enough. eBooks are profitable when they are marketed and sold properly with intent. Some authors who use Amazon to publish their ebooks can potentially make $1000+ a month.

However, not everyone has the time, skills, or inclination to write their book. The good news is that you don't have to be a writer to publish on Amazon KDP. There are several ways to publish on Amazon KDP without writing, such as using public domain content, hiring a ghostwriter, or using book creation software.

Amazon lets you self-publish ebooks through their Kindle Direct Publishing platform. While selling on Amazon Kindle Direct is an easy way to get your book in front of a global audience, the payout is far from lucrative.

Kindle Singles Short Stories & Essays

Short stories are a popular genre for eBooks. They're also one of the most profitable, as you can make more per sale than with longer books. The most popular type of short story is fiction, but nonfiction and poetry have their place on Amazon as well too.

It's super easy to make money selling ebooks, and there are tons of options for distributing and marketing the content you create. In this post, you will find a full guide on how to make money selling ebooks online. You'll learn how to sell ebooks from your own website, or on marketplaces like Amazon.

Kindle publishers are paid either a 35% or 70% royalty for each book sold. Amazon takes 65% on books that sell below $2.99 and above $9.99.

Social media is one of the best ways to market your eBook! Today, social media marketing youe eBook can be done through a number of social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. I recommend picking a maximum of two social media platforms and focusing on creating content for only two platforms.

Do I need an LLC to sell products on Amazon? No, you can sell on Amazon as a sole proprietor. However, forming an LLC is a smart move that ensures your personal assets aren't at risk if your business hits trouble.

A book is in the public domain when it is not under copyright protection. Generally, you can publish and sell public domain eBooks. However, you will need to research which online platforms you can sell on. Each platform has its own rules, which are changing all the time.

Yes, you can publish anonymously, and many authors prefer to publish some or all of their books this way.

What are the most profitable books to sell on Amazon? ›

Consider textbooks, rare topics, niche topics such as old comic books, or other non-fiction books. Mass-produced fiction books tend to lose their value faster than non-fiction books so they're typically not worth selling on Amazon.

If you're an author, publishing ebooks could help you reach a wider audience. However, if you want to keep as much of the profits as possible, you'll need to sell them on your website. Of course, an ebook publisher like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Apple Books makes it easy to publish and sell ebooks online.

Kindle eBook Sales

Once your book is published, the most basic way to make passive income on Amazon is to sell digital copies of your book. Every time a book sells, you'll make a certain percentage of the sale—called a royalty. Amazon offers two different pricing structures and royalty plans.

$60,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $98,000 is the 75th percentile.

You will receive royalties when someone uses your unique URL to purchase an audiobook. As more people listen to your titles, passive income will increase.

Leverage Digital Products: Publishers can create and sell digital products like e-books, templates, or online courses to generate passive income. These products can be marketed to their existing audience, expanding their revenue potential and establishing their expertise in the industry.