Well, hello…. It’s been a while.
Not only since my last YouTube video, but also since my last post on this blog! Nearly four months, in fact.
In that time, a lot shifted. My KDP sales took a significant drop following the royalty and algorithm changes. Frankly, they’ve been slowly changing this entire year, with a very clear drop since April.
So, it was well before the June royalty decreases that I noticed the difference.
But then after the royalty change, there was significant change again. I found myself in a state of analysis paralysis, unsure which direction to go.
I didn’t know if I should be creating more books or trying something totally different. And If I WAS creating more books…
Should I be doubling down on what I already know, or should I be trying something new?
It seemed like in the low-content space, a lot of people had not changed their prices. So, should I instead move to high content or coloring books? I couldn’t decide and I had too many ideas spinning in my head. So, for a short while – I didn’t do anything!
But then I decided, for better or worse, to create a number of books. They were all different. A couple of coloring books, a couple of dated/undated planners and I also spent a couple of months on a book that I *hoped* I could price higher.
That had to be my strategy going forward, I needed to create books that I could sell at that $9.99 threshold in order for it to be worthwhile.
So, in the video I’ve embed below, I’m sharing my royalties over the last few months but not only that, I’m comparing them to previous years – so, you will be able to see the difference.
I Nearly Quit KDP – YouTube Video
What’s Inside the Video:
- My royalty & sales history over recent months (and how it compares to prior years)
- Why I almost felt ready to quit KDP for a while & move on to something else
- How many books I published in the last few months & what types
- My hopes for Q4 – the results this quarter will likely determine how much time I spend on KDP next year & whether I may turn my attention to other things
Why I Made This Video
If you’re going to put yourself out on Youtube, I think it’s important to be authentic and share the good with the bad.
As far as I can see, there don’t seem to be many videos talking about these changes and the negative impact it’s had on sales.
I do find it interesting that many people who do sell courses, don’t even share their results. Perhaps this is because they don’t really want to share the ups & downs in income that will inevitably come in any business.
So, I felt compelled to talk about it myself. Whatever online business you’re in – it WILL change at some point. You have to pivot and adapt along the way.
Also… KDP have changed their upload limit
Kdp have recently changed their upload limit again.
In the past, it used to be unlimited.
Then it was changed to up to three a day and now it’s around ten per week.
Personally, I think this is more than enough. It’s more than I’d be able to upload and the only thing it’s really stopping is spamming the system with things like simple notebooks – or perhaps quickly generated coloring books with Ai.
Not to say coloring books can’t be well made now with Ai, (I have created some myself and I think the results have been decent) but I do take my time creating them. Not only checking the images in detail for any errors, but also purchasing my book and checking that way.
Every time I’ve purchased one of my books immediately after publishing, (which I prefer, rather than ordering an author copy) I have always made edits of some kind. Whether on the cover or interior.
So, now I almost always do purchase my book after publishing and I highly recommend it.
What’s Next?
Right now, I have a selection of books that I still need to finish and publish. Then I will have to make all the A+ content & set up some Ads. I’m also getting some new products up on Merch By Amazon
Aside from that and creating some new YouTube videos, I will mainly be monitoring and tweaking any Ads that are currently running.
If you enjoyed this post, drop a comment letting me know: have your KDP sales changed lately? Are you trying anything new, or sticking to KDP?
Save on Pinterest!
Leave a Reply