QUITTING KDP?! Why I Almost Quit Publishing Low Content Book Publishing On Amazon KDP
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- čas přidán 4. 08. 2024
- In this video, I talk about almost quit publishing low content books on Amazon KDP, why I was going to quit, why I didn't and what I'm doing with my publishing business going forward.
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Love your transparency, a message I needed to hear! It’s been a discouraging slow start to my KDP journey and the thought of giving up has been strong. The problem is…that I love it, I love books and I love creating books! ❤️
That is 100% reason to continue. Loving working on something is ultimately more important than paying bills.
Thank you for your video. Much of your experience with KDP has been mine as well. I published my first book, a nonfiction title, in 2014. I got into low content books at the end of 2019 and found success in yearly planners and niche journals. My account was terminated twice, similarly to yours. The last time it was terminated was right before Q4 of last year, with 3K in royalties held back. To be honest, I felt crushed and then I was angry. To recover from what felt like a devastating loss I started evaluating books I'd created and how I could take them to other platforms, in addition to making digital downloadable content. Slowly, that helped me to recover my "can do" mindset and get on with it. Then, when I thought I was done with KDP forever, I had to contact them about tax info. I noted a way to request an evaluation following termination. I thought it a lost cause, but I wrote a short paragraph asking for them to look at the account once more and much to my surprise was reinstated. No email about it, but suddenly I had the royalties that had been held back were in my account and was active on KDP once more. I too felt such a hard sting from the previous loss that I wasn't sure if I wanted to play in the KDP sandbox again. I took a look at the books that had done well, and had reviews. I republished them and left the others unpublished. I took it very slowly and made sure each republished book was within KDP guidelines. If I felt even a twinge of "maybe not" I didn't republish. After about three months, most of the republished books are back to gaining traction on KDP internationally. I have published a few more books in low content niches, however I do it cautiously and have branched out into higher-content books. I appreciate your insights and agree that diversification, setting goals and sticking to them despite what some might say, are keys to successful self-publishing. It's easy to get discouraged, but when you have a book or books that do well, it's brilliant!
Hello. I remember when I began my journey into publishing my own books. I listened to everything that people said. From the over saturated part up to that my books were garbage. I just stopped listening, because I went into self publishing not to become rich, but because I enjoy writing, and creating art work. I'm an artist, and photographer, music producer. I use my art work, and photography work on my covers. My music productions are also on amazon through a record label. I just never gave up on my dream eventhough people called my work garbage. I just enjoy what I do. I don't listen to anyone anymore.
Extremely well said. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Right! I just want to do it for the fun of it!!
You are always so sensible, Caroline. I love listening to everything you say ( your nice speaking voice is a bonus), most importantly because I may have reacted the same way you did because of what happened (and I can truly relate with the shiny object syndrome). Keep sharing your thoughts and experiences with us, they are all appreciated ♥♥♥
great video Caroline, so open and honest. It is very easy to get disheartened when you start out with KDP as it usually takes time to start seeing some sales. Yes, perseverance and consistency are needed to succeed. So glad you are continuing with KDP and able to share your journey with us.
Hi Caroline~ Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with KDP. I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that. I'm scared, too, but hearing how you championed forward helps a lot! I wish you the best in all of your endeavors! Take care and all the best to you!
Brand new to KDP. I just found you through algorithms on Book bolt. This video is very encouraging to as U would love nothing more than to create a cushy life doing exactly what I love..writing and creating and collecting my favorite 📚. I will be following for inspo and sharing with other aspiring authors! Big air hug from Texas!
Very well-made video. Thank you for the encouragement in low-quality books. I feel like I have been in a cave for the last 30 years as a serious author of high content books (novels), but this low content book area is particularly new to me. It is fascinating.
I had a very similar thing happen to my account about 2-3 months before yours happened. It definitely really made me step back from publishing and I still haven't published anything since November. Now, I never did 100's of books as that's never been my style. But, I am hoping to do something like you are doing - keep developing my activity brand and my puzzle brand while also moving into high content. I made videos about my crazy kdp termination experience as well bc it is very upsetting when it happens since they are always soooo vague. Consistency is difficult for so many of us. Great video Caroline. 😊
Thank you. This was the talk I needed. I have done the same thing. Start something, never finish, I loved making books for KDP but for whatever reason ( probably because I found the next best thing that piqued my interest) I stopped, but that also gave me the time to really figure out what I wanted to do with KDP and release myself from the stress that comes with all the youtube videos on "what's the best way" etc. So this video what right on time for me.
For personal reasons, I have been offline for the month of May, but now getting back into creating and publishing. Thanks for this honest video. Just what I needed.
Thank you for sharing this story! A lot of your points really helped me this morning! Glad KDP still has you :)
Dear Caroline, Thank you for sharing your story. Well, it's not all sunshine and rainbows in the KDP business. It seems more like a constant fight for survival and tons of work. And even if you do everything right, misfortunes could happen at any time. I'm glad you've overcome in the end.
I hear you. I just got diagnosed with ADHD and now I understand why I am this way. You are such an inspiration. It is hard to stay on task and finish something.
great stuff Caroline. Thanks for sharing your journey. Just inspiring
Thanks for your story and your honesty. I've been learning and publishing for a year while still looking for the niche that I love the most. I consider it all an adventure, with many trap doors along with surprises. Your story is encouraging. All too often people are thrown by competition when it's simply creating a good product that people like... it looks like a simple get rich quick business but it's far from it. Simple and easy are deceiving concepts. Keep going I enjoy watching your videos.
Wow! Such a transparency we're seeing in this video. Thank you so much for sharing this personal video Caroline. I have many doubts while working on the first book and I can relate to shiny object syndrome. I'm working on the first books and I've started thinking about next 5 books and that is a big distraction. Your videos are in the backgorund while I'm working and learned a lot in the last couple of weeks. Thanks!
I just found your channel. I am very interested in writing and publishing books. I am thinking about using kdp, but needed the encouragement. Thanks for all of the information you give through CZcams. Please keep giving tips and inspiration as I have subscribed to your channel.
Wonderful message! Thank you.
So delightful and yes - valuable help and info!
Wow! Thank you for sharing your story.💕
Caroline, what a great video! YOUR story is nearly identical to my story, but yours is better, lol! I have gone through the exact same things, "shiny object syndrome". I have had some small successes, but I have also been taking some good courses and that has helped. I always felt bad because it would take me longer than "1 hour!" to make my quality coloring or puzzle book. I am just built that way to make quality products, not shortcuts! Your videos are incredible and very helpful to me. Thank you for this video, it makes me feel better to know that I am not alone. I need to be clear on my desires and stay on track. Thanks and please keep up the wonderful work! 😉👍
Thank-you for sharing your struggles.Alot of this resonates with me.and no doubt others.
It has given me the courage to proceed despite the cries of over saturation.
🙌
I love you for this!! I love diaries& journals and creating! 😍🖋📓
Shiny object syndrom...yup, I had that exact same mindset in 2021 while trying to succed with POD, social media, affiliate marketing...I had so many ideas and to doS in my yearly calendar that I had to stop using it alltogether since I've never get to finish anything I was starting and it was so painful not knowing what have I done during the whole year?!? It seemed like a total waste of time. Now I have finally decided to focus most of my energy on learning how to work on KDP and stop planning any other projects that have caught my attention on YT. I have to do this right, like a real job, cuz that's what I want it to be for me. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It means a lot to me to know that I am not alone with all of these mixed feelings and frustrations, when I am 100% sure that I want to succeed with passive income, but get lost along the way. At this moment I am trying to figure out the ins and outs of Keyword research. Also not really sure how to use the same interriors for different books? Are you using the same title and subtitle for all of those books or you use the same interriors for a bunch of different small subniches in your niche?
Excellent...
No nonsense, detailed, transparent...
Thanks for sharing your experience & for sacrificing your time.
Love, love, L❤️VE this video!! Thank you 🙏
Thanks for making this video. I am in sort of the same place. Love making the books, but I didn't sell many. My commitment was for 100 books published, but really only 1 sold over five, so I left disgruntled and disappointed. I figured out that people were successful because they were very involved in Social Media and had lots of followers, but I am not a social person, and a commitment to that was just not going to work for me. Maybe it can be done without a following. I will be making more books starting in the fall again. I was sad to stop, sad it didn't do what I thought it would do. Thanks for sharing your story.
Bless you, Caroline. This video is very heartfelt, and I appreciate your honesty. I've been following you awhile, and understand your frustrations. I've also learned a few lessons, lol. I too want to continue publishing my favorites and my best on KDP, and I too no longer put all my eggs in one basket. You've reminded us before that Amazon is in business to make money, indeed! For regular people, there is money to be made in diversifying our efforts. Isn't there a quote saying millionaires usually have seven sources of income? Much success to you! Have a great day!
I'm glad i found this video, thanks!
I really love your video and your honesty. Your very helpful. Best wishes.
Thank you for your 'no-nonsense' approach. Most valuable video I've watched... I suffer from the same syndrome & intend to keep following you for some great advice.
Wow, well done! I hope some of my coloring books reach that point one day!
The vague, pre-canned emails from Amazon support are seriously annoying.
I am terrified my KDP or Merch account might be terminated, even though I think I follow all the rules.
Thank you! It's frustrating to have a business with Amazon that you don't have confidence in, isn't it.
OMG Your hopping from thing to thing is me. I just started doing this because I love writing. It's been 3 wks. and I still can't find a niche. I decided that I'm only going to take tips from 1 person because some are on youtube to push affiliate programs. You can figure that out when you find a vid they made totally contradictory to the first. I had a great business on Tee Public. They shut me down, no reason, but I have a feeling it was someone probably complained because I was too much competition. I tried and tried, no answer. I'm an artist and all of my art comes from me. I'm gettting off of Etsy and focus on KDP. I tried to get a merch account and they said my acct. was shut down; didn't even have an acct. Thanx!
Thank you, that was helpful and relevant for me. I don't blame you for feeling frustrated and angry when they have so much control yet don't seem to pay attention to what they are doing and make capricious decisions that negatively impact independent sellers.
Thanks for this video. I picked a niche and have shiny item syndrome too lol. Now, I think I’m gonna just stick it out
Love your honesty.x
I really needed this today. I was getting discouraged by watching other videos about saturation and reports. Your video made me feel better because I do love doing this and I only started last October. Thank you. I am going to keep trusting my intuition.
Carabella, I started last October, too, and think I'm doing okay. The first couple of months, not so great. May is done and I've sold 204 books. How many books have you sold if I may ask?
@@alohaleslie9407 Wow you have sold 204 books amazing. I have sold books every month since I started but only like 2 or 3. December I had sold 11. Not that great
@@alohaleslie9407 About 40 books
@@karen27649 Don't give up five minutes before the miracle. One book and sale at a time. Just keep focusing on quality and creating books you love. Your time will come!!! :)
Caroline! You are my spirit animal! 🤣 I have the WORST shiny objects syndrome. I know that this holds me back from success. Do you have any pointers on how to stay focused and following through on ideas?
OMG. You just told my story... shiny object syndrome and just leap frogging from one thing to the next and the research is so hard for me. And if my account had been terminated I would have freaked out and maybe given up too. I hate the lack of control and lack of communication and lack of anywhere else to do what we can do at KDP. I had to get a real job 9 months ago and had no time to do anything but the job... so now I'm trying to get back to it and I'm struggling. The research. Ugh. But thanks for this. It's nice to know I'm not the only one.
Appreciate you, thank you.
It's been two months for me. I've done no advertising. My books are so beautiful. My books won't even come up in the search engine.😭😭
BRILLIANT! ❤
Great video! Exactly what I needed at this moment. I am just getting started with KDP and self doubt is creeping in (based on what other people are saying).
But I love making notebooks & journals. I have always loved stationary and could literally spend an hour in the stationary aisle just browsing (is that weird? just me? LOL). Although I can barely draw a stick figure, I love being creative and working with images and colors. This work allows me to combine all of that and I find it quite fulfilling.
My first book went live this morning and, as I was watching this video, I got an email saying that 3 more have been approved!
Thanks again, Caroline ❤
I love the creative process, and learning new creative tools. If I make money that would be cherry
U R inspiring!! THANKS
Hi Thanks for your post
I’m just getting started with low content books via KDP. With a full time job how many books published daily or weekly is good
small amount that a person will stay consistent with. I know that’s a loaded question but I’m trying set some personal project plans and goals to keep my self consistent. I think Ill try to review my sales weekly but try to really reach 6 months or yr before big changes in marketing or strategy if any. Are these good approaches for a newbie? Thanks in advance for input:)
God bless you... Keep it up... 👍
As with everything in life, we need to know why we are doing things, anything, then decision-making becomes so much easier :)
I am working on KDP for 1 year our normal launch expenses are 12k dollars and 6th to 8th month it will take to rank
Hey now kdp needs isbl number ...what are you doing foe that
..did you buy isbl number 🤔
I used Canva Pro to upload a low content book today. I struggled to get the template deleted. I can’t actually remember how I managed to do it for that first book. Now I’m on my second book and absolutely cannot figure out how to get rid of that template from KDP!!
Caroline, are you doing Ads? If so, how do you think they work for you? Thanks so much for sharing your KDP journey with us. Your transparency really helps keep us afloat. :)
I love making books.
I love the way you talk about KDP. Love you so much, you look like my mother though.
The best you can say to a woman 😉👌🏼
yes, kdp can be really annoying. at this point i'm even scared to email them if i have an issue or question because i'm scared they will suspend or terminate my account, which happened once before.
You are me! Still learning to stop Shiny Object Syndrome
OMG same thing happened to me! I got SOOO Annoyed. I think the issue is they tend hire overseas and they are so unorgonized. I would always get someone different to answer my emails. Its frustrating.
It’s scary how all your work can be just taken away from you. And it’s not like you could just sell your books elsewhere.
I rather do other POD because even if I get banned from one site there are still lots of others to sell things like shirts and mugs on.
Maybe it's time to develop another income stream. That is a problem publishers have with every platform out there. I have a friend who had 15,000 videos up on YT then one day, gone. Everything gone. No argument, no reinstatement just gone. We have to remember the adage, what the master giveth, the master can taketh away. So, a lot of marketers frustrated as you went to their own marketing platform. The advantage of course is the vast customer base, customer service, and name brand of Amazon but I do know where I have to go to buy certain products. Thanks for sharing.
I think I have shining object to
Great video Caroline, I'm sure lots of people can relate!
Hi, I think its time to level up and try some medium content books
I am so glad I watched this video. Thank you 😊
In the middle of working on a KDP book and this pops up....interesting haha
I have that same disorder, heaven help me new shiny disorder sucks;)
I need some help I have done everything for years and never made a dime spent alot of money but have never made a dime can you give me some help please
KDP had a problem with one of my books due to my pen name. None of it made sense. I have used that same pen name on numerous books. They made me change my pen name on one particular book. After that, they had no problem with me publishing under that same pen name. LOL Silly!!!
Same here. The reviewers should be more consistent as you read the guidelines and think you understand then and pick a Pen name then they den your book based only on that but the other one you did before has the same pen name and that got accepted!
@@concordep2504 It is so crazy!!!
I've had this same issue recently too. I've used the exact same pen name since I started KDP. All of a sudden my books get rejected for the pen name. I search the pen name on Amazon and there is someone (Not very well known) who has a couple of high content books in a completely different niche to mine. there is no way my books could be mistaken for theirs. I just stuck an initial in the middle of it and the accept it. Makes no sense.
Yesterday my account was terminated, they claim I have another account 😭
Wow, I was told the same thing about coloring books are over saturated and you won’t make a full time income…yada yada. I had a corgi coloring book I was making and stopped bc of what I was told. 🌸. It sounds the same as me, oh. I can do this…oh I can do..and so on
quit because can't sell on amazon, not verified..so hard to be part of AMAZON seller..
KDP is crazy. Anyone tried Lulu? Making a book with them sucks big time
You poor thing. They torture.
Stoooory timeeee
It’s scary how all your work can be just taken away from you. And it’s not like you could just sell your books elsewhere.
I rather do other POD because even if I get banned from one site there are still lots of others to sell things like shirts and mugs on.