Whether you’re an experienced author already racking up sales and new readership, or you’re just dipping your toes into the vast waters of the self-publishing industry, the thought of making your a course in miracles available through Kindle Unlimited (KU) has no doubt crossed your mind. Is there a clear advantage for you, the author, in using this service? Because let’s be honest, your main goals are to gain exposure for your work and make a living while doing it.
With this in mind, let’s discuss how you can market your books effectively by leveraging the Kindle Unlimited platform, along with the pros and cons of using KU vs a wider distribution strategy. If you don’t already know, Kindle Unlimited is a subscription-based service offered by Amazon that allows readers (Prime and otherwise) to access their entire inventory of KU books for one low monthly fee.
But, wait a minute… $10 a month for unlimited access to all of their books!? If you’re wondering who makes money with this arrangement other than Amazon, you’d be in good company. Authors the world over have been scratching their heads and tip-toeing around signing up for Kindle Unlimited because they’re not sure about its long-term benefits or potential drawbacks.
There are several pros and cons that go along with using KU vs. wider distribution options, or doing the exact opposite. It enhances the reach of your books – Amazon has at least fifty percent market share in the US and UK when it comes to digital book sales. That’s VERY significant. Their best-selling Kindle e-readers, tablets and apps, as well as Amazon’s amazing ecommerce platform and knack for turning browsers into buyers are what drive this phenomenon. And it’s increasing every year.
The bottom line? Having your books featured on Amazon increases the likelihood that they will be found and read by a lot of people. You gain access to Amazon’s ecommerce tools – Amazon’s team is masterful at getting consumers to buy, and it’s no different when they market digital books.
Through their KU program, you gain access to unique promotional tools like their Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotion, which both help to boost your readership and launch your new titles to success. You earn royalties for ever page read – Unlike traditional books sales where a customer buys your book and you get a one-off payment, with KU authors are paid a small royalty for every page read from each book.
Exclusivity of your book title with KU – You read right. If you decide to promote a book using Kindle Unlimited, you cannot promote that title anywhere else. You’re title is bound to Amazon’s KU for 90 day spans, after which, you have the option to renew your contract. Potentially low earnings – Unless you’re in the top percentile of book publishers in the Kindle Unlimited program, you shouldn’t expect to get hefty royalty checks.
The vast majority of self-published authors find that the potential for earnings per book are much higher on other platforms when compared to KU. But is it wise to put all of your eggs in one basket and have titles exclusive to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited? Is there a point to even signing up if the chance of earning significant royalties are slim?
