COMPLETE Amazon KDP Course for Beginners in 2024

In this video, I'm spilling all the secrets to becoming a successful author on Amazon. We'll cover everything. This includes crafting your unique publishing strategy. It's more important than you think!) to the nitty-gritty of uploading your book to KDP. I'll walk you through each step. I'll share tips on improving your book's title, description, and keywords. I'll also cover how to navigate the world of AI-generated content. Plus, we'll tackle the often-overlooked importance of catering to your readers (hint: they're your top priority!).

While Amazon is a powerful platform, I'll also explain why I personally advocate for a diversified publishing approach. Curious about my publishing model? I don't recommend stickin=g only to Amazon. Check out my other video linked at the end.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:26 - Part 1: Your Publishing Strategy
03:17 - The Niche Digger
05:00 - The Free Spirit
06:46 - The Long Hauler
08:21 - The Reader
12:21 - Part 2: Uploading to Amazon KDP
15:18 - Creating the Series Page
17:06 - Creating a Book & Titles
23:40 - Book Series
24:21 - Editions & Authors/Contributors
26:58 - Book Description
34:08 - Publishing Rights
35:06 - Audience & Categories
44:11 - Keywords
51:03 - Part 3: How to upload the Content
51:27 - Manuscript
54:15 - Cover
56:40 - AI-generated Content Guidelines
1:00:13 - Previewing & ISBNs
1:02:27 - KDP Select Enrollment
1:06:29 - Territories/Marketplace
1:07:23 - Pricing
1:12:29 - Publish!
1:14:09 - Conclusion

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[pawlieblog]

Best YouTube video for beginners!! Thank you for all this great and very helpful info.

[dougrobinson]

Here's the outline with a summary for each section:

### Timestamps:
****00:00** - Introduction**
- **Summary**: The video starts by discussing the importance of succeeding as a self-published author on Amazon, despite concerns about over-reliance on the platform. The presenter clarifies that while exclusivity to Amazon may not be ideal, having books available on Amazon is crucial for reaching a broad audience. The video is set to provide an in-depth guide on how to publish successfully on Amazon KDP.

****02:26** - Part 1: Your Publishing Strategy**
- **Summary**: The first part of the video emphasizes the importance of having a clear publishing strategy, identifying three types of authors—the Niche Digger, The Free Spirit, and The Long Hauler. The video explains that understanding which type of author you are will help determine your approach to publishing on Amazon.

****03:17** - The Niche Digger**
- **Summary**: The Niche Digger is an author who searches for underserved markets using tools like KD Spy or Publisher Rocket. This strategy can be effective for making money by targeting high-demand, low-competition niches, but it requires thorough research and a commitment to delivering quality content that truly meets the needs of that niche.

****05:00** - The Free Spirit**
- **Summary**: The Free Spirit writes based on personal passion rather than market demand. This type of author is less concerned with market trends and more focused on personal expression. While this approach can be fulfilling, it’s less likely to lead to financial success unless the author finds a balance between personal passion and market demand.

****06:46** - The Long Hauler**
- **Summary**: The Long Hauler is described as the ideal author type for long-term success. This author is committed to the craft, willing to work for years to build a career, and focused on delivering what readers want. The video stresses that understanding and prioritizing the reader is crucial for sustained success on Amazon.

****08:21** - The Reader**
- **Summary**: This section underscores the importance of the reader in an author's career. The video explains that success on Amazon depends on understanding and meeting the needs of the reader, as Amazon’s algorithms favor books that resonate with readers. Authors are encouraged to align their goals with those of the readers to achieve better results on the platform.

****12:21** - Part 2: Uploading to Amazon KDP**
- **Summary**: This section walks through the technical steps of setting up and uploading a book to Amazon KDP. It covers everything from creating an account to understanding Amazon’s interface, creating a series page, and starting the process of uploading your book.

****15:18** - Creating the Series Page**
- **Summary**: The guide explains how to create a series page on Amazon KDP, including options for ordered and unordered series. The importance of adding a unique series description is highlighted to avoid confusion and better market the entire series to readers.

****17:06** - Creating a Book & Titles**
- **Summary**: The video advises authors on choosing effective book titles and subtitles, emphasizing the need for genre research. It suggests looking at bestselling books in the genre to identify trends and motifs, and offers tips on using AI tools like ChatGPT to generate or refine titles.

****23:40** - Book Series**
- **Summary**: This section outlines how to add your book to an existing series or create a new series within Amazon KDP. It discusses the importance of correctly ordering books in a series and provides guidance on handling different editions.

****24:21** - Editions & Authors/Contributors**
- **Summary**: The video covers how to manage editions and contributors, such as co-authors and editors. It explains the importance of listing these correctly to ensure proper credit and visibility on Amazon.

****26:58** - Book Description**
- **Summary**: A detailed guide on crafting compelling book descriptions, with advice to analyze successful descriptions from bestsellers in the same genre. The video recommends using AI tools to break down and emulate effective descriptions, ensuring they are optimized to attract readers.

****34:08** - Publishing Rights**
- **Summary**: This section discusses the importance of correctly identifying publishing rights, especially if the book is a public domain work or if you own the copyright. It also briefly touches on the implications of filing for copyright protection.

****35:06** - Audience & Categories**
- **Summary**: The video explains how to select the appropriate audience and categories for your book. It emphasizes the need to accurately mark explicit content and choose categories that align with your book’s genre to enhance discoverability.

****44:11** - Keywords**
- **Summary**: This section focuses on the importance of selecting the right keywords for Amazon KDP. It suggests using tools like Publisher Rocket to find relevant, high-traffic keywords that can improve your book’s visibility in search results.

****51:03** - Part 3: How to Upload the Content**
- **Summary**: The final part of the video covers the actual process of uploading your manuscript and cover to Amazon KDP. It includes tips on formatting, choosing whether to apply Digital Rights Management (DRM), and ensuring your book is properly previewed before publishing.

****51:27** - Manuscript**
- **Summary**: The guide advises on the best file formats for uploading a manuscript, recommending the ePub format over Word documents for fewer formatting issues. It also suggests using tools like Atticus for easier and more professional formatting.

****54:15** - Cover**
- **Summary**: This section emphasizes the importance of a professionally designed book cover that matches genre expectations. It advises against using Amazon’s cover creator and instead recommends hiring a designer, particularly one experienced in your book’s genre.

****56:40** - AI-generated Content Guidelines**
- **Summary**: The video discusses Amazon’s guidelines for AI-generated content, advising authors to honestly disclose any use of AI in text, images, or translations to comply with Amazon’s terms of service.

****1:00:13** - Previewing & ISBNs**
- **Summary**: This section explains the importance of previewing your ebook to catch any formatting errors before publishing. It also discusses the optional use of ISBNs, noting that they are not necessary for most self-published authors unless they offer specific advantages.

****1:02:27** - KDP Select Enrollment**
- **Summary**: The video covers the pros and cons of enrolling in KDP Select, which offers benefits like inclusion in Kindle Unlimited but requires exclusivity to Amazon. It suggests considering this option based on your genre and marketing strategy.

****1:06:29** - Territories/Marketplace**
- **Summary**: This section explains how to select the territories where your book will be available. It suggests making your book available in all territories by default unless there is a specific reason to restrict it.

****1:07:23** - Pricing**
- **Summary**: The video discusses pricing strategies, particularly the benefits and limitations of choosing between 70% and 35% royalties. It advises on setting competitive prices based on genre research and considering starting with a lower price to attract early readers.

****1:12:29** - Publish!**
- **Summary**: The final steps involve publishing your book, including a review period where Amazon checks your submission. Once approved, your book will be live on Amazon, and you can proceed with creating paperback and hardcover versions if desired.

****1:14:09** - Conclusion**
- **Summary**: The video concludes by reiterating the importance of a thoughtful publishing strategy and encourages viewers to consider their long-term goals and the reader’s experience. It also offers links to related videos on Amazon exclusivity and direct selling models.

[manyinterestscount]

I'm close to publishing an epic novel, unique in subject that i've worked on off and on for decades. My editor is wrapping up her end but it's done, cover, graphics... I'm nervous about this process of publishing it. I wish I had a mentor like you to take me through all of the process. I feel like we only get one chance to do this right. Thanks for the videos.. i'm still absorbing all of this info. so much to learn yet!

[robinleist]

Hello. I'm newly subscribed to your channel, and so far I'm loving this video and how you explain in depth. I'm taking my time with this instructional video about publishing on Amazon. After which I will continue to watch your other videos. I hope you're around for a long time. I look forward to more. Thank you so much.

[aldasilva]

Thank you for your comprehensive explanation of KDP ebook publishing.

[JoachimAnyanwu]

I am happy to get connected to Amazon. I hope your expertise will be helpful to me in this regard. You are great indeed as I am ready to go My name is Joachim E. Anyanwu, a Senior citizen, Journalist and farmer - a Nigerian citizen, West African sub region.

[LittleEnginePatientAdvocacy]

Great video! Thank you. Do your keywords and categories have to match across different book formats?

[DebiBrady]

Great overview of the ever-changing Amazon KDP process! Looking forward to testing some of my newer books using your advice.

[michelleloftus]

Checking out your Atticus link. :) This looks way better than the video I watched recently on how to use Scribus, which seemed very clunky and difficult. The thing is, we need to be able to trust that the formatting will be clean, and will do what it's supposed to. Going with your recommendation, methinks.

[healingceremonies]

Thank you. This was exactly what I needed to see.

[eliastahan]

Great video and a wealth of well-delivered info. Thank you.

[CreateYourBestLife]

Great video! Thank you for the amazing explanation!

[LeonNeuton]

Amazing, I'm super eager for your latest release... I even spent the morning searching with "kdp" and "nerdy novelist" as keywords, but couldn't find what I was looking for. Ended up watching Dale Roberts' content instead. Brilliant as he is. I still crave a more focused knowledge on our niche of self-publishing novels - not into self-help content like his. So geeked for you key your key takeaways on succeed in this space!.

[mysmartkryptonite]

I appreciate you for this wonderful knowledge and god bless you my friend.

[Mr-Not-Applicable]

Great video! Subscribed because of it! It would be great to a tutorial on how to boost sales as this is the biggest challenge most new authors (including me) face

[myheadisaturnip]

Question for ya: with the rapid of development of AI tools, do you think fiction and nonfiction book markets will simply become over-saturated, and only established authors will have continued success? I.E. harder and harder for new authors with so much AI content?

[RFK_]

As a beginner, how does one determine whether they should produce an ebook over paperback? I know that there are reasons for both, but just a general idea. Thanks in advance.

[wizardgaming]

Interesting to know about ISBNs, I didn't realise you don't have to have one. Is this the same with regards to print books? I always thought you needed one, especially when it comes to barcodes.

Also, would you recommend starting with an ebook or print book as a knew author? Would I be better off doing both? I''m also keen for your dive into Atticus. Cheers.

[guidomanzano]

1:00:40 You said you put your own company as the publisher. I'm interested on creating an LLC to publish my books. Do you have a video where you go deeper on this? If you don't, it would be nice to know how do you address this topic. Like why should one create your own company, and if you can, HOW. I think a lot of people would really appreciate it.

[メニポヘル]

at 10:00 that's a very accurate illustration of what interests readers 🤣