Lessons from a $1.6 Million Amazon KDP Publisher (With Only 20 Books)

The key points about making money from Amazon KDP, as discussed in the interview, are as follows:

Success Story of a Self-Publisher

The interviewee, Suresh, made over $1.6 million from just 20 books while living in India.

He built a team and emphasized the importance of community, learning, and persistence.

Start with Writing

Initially, Suresh wrote his books, emphasizing that even with limited resources, one can start by investing time into writing.

His progression from writing to eventually building a team highlights the scalability of the KDP business.

Importance of Community and Learning

Joining a course and being part of a community were turning points for him.

These resources provided him with the knowledge and support needed to improve and succeed.

Investing Back into the Business

As his revenue grew, Suresh reinvested in covers, better content, and marketing, highlighting the importance of continually improving the quality of books.

Focus on High Content Books

He emphasized the importance of creating high content books.

They require more effort but have higher barriers to entry.

This leads to less competition and potentially more success.

Adapting and Learning from Mistakes

Suresh’s journey involved learning from each book he published, adapting his strategies, and understanding market needs better.

Scaling the Business

Once he found a successful formula, he focused on dominating his niche and scaling up by stacking books on top of one another and ensuring a strong brand presence on Amazon.

Passive Income and Diversification

While the KDP business has become semi-passive for him, Suresh also explores other ventures and emphasizes the importance of diversifying income streams.

Building a Brand

Understanding the importance of building a long-term brand within a niche and how it can lead to sustained success on Amazon.

Leveraging Amazon Advertising

Developing effective strategies for Amazon advertising to boost book sales and understanding the relationship between ad spend and profitability.

Persistence and Mindset

Suresh’s story underscores the importance of persistence, learning from failures, and maintaining a growth mindset throughout the journey of self-publishing.

Community and Courses

Recommending new publishers to join communities and take courses to accelerate their learning curve and avoid common pitfalls.

Conclusion

This interview provides a comprehensive insight into the journey of a successful Amazon KDP publisher, emphasizing strategies, mindset, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the self-publishing industry.