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Is publishing on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) really as cheap as they say? This article breaks down the actual costs of self-publishing a book on Amazon KDP from start to finish, giving you a comprehensive overview and helping you prepare for your publishing journey.
Book Content Creation Costs
- Writing the Book Yourself: If you’re confident in your writing abilities, you can write the book yourself without incurring any costs. However, this requires time, effort, and strong writing skills.
- Hiring a Ghostwriter: If you lack the time or writing skills, you can hire a professional ghostwriter. Costs will vary depending on the word count and quality requirements.
- Writer Solutions: Prices start at around 37,500 VND/100 words. This is a budget-friendly option, but quality may vary.
- Urban Writers: Prices range from 49,000 VND to 71,000 VND/100 words. This offers higher quality but at a higher cost.
A typical book has around 15,000 words, which is roughly equivalent to 100 pages. With this word count, hiring a ghostwriter would cost between 5,625,000 VND and 10,650,000 VND using Urban Writers and around 5,625,000 VND with Writer Solutions.
Book Cover Design Costs
You can easily find book cover design services on freelance platforms like Fiverr, with prices starting from 125,000 VND.
Book Formatting Costs
- Paperback Formatting: Converting your ebook to paperback format typically costs between 250,000 VND and 500,000 VND on Fiverr.
- Audiobook Cover Design: Designing a cover for your audiobook also costs around 125,000 VND on Fiverr.
Audiobook Recording Costs
- Royalty Share: You can collaborate with a narrator and share audiobook sales revenue. This eliminates upfront costs but requires profit sharing.
- Paying by the Hour: You can pay a narrator by the hour. Rates typically range from 1,000,000 VND to 1,250,000 VND per finished hour. For a 15,000-word book, with a recording time of approximately 1.5 hours, the cost would be around 1,500,000 VND to 1,875,000 VND.
Book Marketing Costs
Book marketing costs vary depending on your chosen strategy. Typically, expenses range from 1,250,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND. You can also run Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) ads but ensure your profits outweigh the ad spend.
Total Self-Publishing Costs
The total cost of self-publishing depends on whether you write the book yourself or hire a ghostwriter, as well as choices like audiobook creation. If you write the book and opt for a royalty share agreement for the audiobook, costs could be as low as 2,250,000 VND. If you hire a ghostwriter and pay for audiobook recording, the total cost could reach 8,000,000 VND or more.
Return on Investment (ROI)
One of the advantages of self-publishing on Amazon KDP is the quick return on investment, often within a few months or even a month with effective strategies. Even if your book doesn’t become a bestseller, you can usually recoup your investment within a year. With the right approach, you can potentially earn hundreds or thousands of dollars per month.
Conclusion
Self-publishing on Amazon KDP is an excellent opportunity to earn money and share your knowledge. While initial costs can vary, the earning potential is significant. Invest time and effort in researching and planning your book publishing journey thoroughly.