I was talking to my book publisher today about the imminent arrival of my book ‘Don’t Ask Stupid Questions – There Are No Stupid Questions’ when the question came up about whether to sell on Amazon. The obvious answer to most people would be of course you want to sell on Amazon. I mean c’mon, think of the kudos, think of the sales figures, think of the money you can lose! Seriously, it is almost certain that I would lose money selling my book on Amazon.
Why? I hear you cry. That was you crying why, wasn’t it? It could have been that damn armadillo burrowing under the back gate again, now I come to think about it, it did sound a bit scratchy and scaly. Whatever, I’m going to presume that you do want to know why otherwise there’s no real point me typing or you reading so I’ll tell you.
If you want to sell a book on Amazon you have to give them a discount of 55%. Yep that’s right, you read that correctly and it wasn’t a typo, it really said 55%. After all printing, artwork, publisher commissions, shipping etc that means I would not make any money whatsoever. “Why would you do it then?” I hear you chunter. I know that it was you this time because the Armadillo is too busy burrowing its way under the patio causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to say anything much other than “Up yours Jack” It always calls me Jack by the way and I have absolutely no idea why.
So in answer to your thoughtful question, it’s for the kudos. If I can say my book is on Amazon it adds certain amount of credibility, the kind of credibility money can’t buy and trust me I’ve tried.
I still haven’t made my mind up completely. I think I may just sell the initial print run through my website and my publishers and then do a re-think when I go for the half a million. What do you think I should do?
Tim Brownson is a Certified Life Coach and has been unsticking people and helping them reach their true potential since 2005. If you would like to know how he can help you