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Episode Notes
Publishing your book – Should You Go Wide or into Kindle Unlimited (KU)?
Today we’re looking at the pros and cons of putting your book into KDP select (often referred to as Kindle Unlimited or KU since this is what it’s called for participating readers) and comparing it to wide distribution on all retailers (going wide).
Both are long-term strategies.
Kindle Unlimited (KU) gives you:
simplicity – ease of distribution, admin and record-keeping – effective use of time
Free days – 5 per term of 90 days – but is this valuable at the moment?
Kindle countdown deals (often known as KCD) – can be useful but only in the UK and USA so can lead to disappointed readers
Exclusivity – this is an iron-clad restriction
To some extent, you’ll be governed by Amazon – this may be acceptable
Huge market share
Amazon working hard to draw in users to KU
Page read income can be significant and alters the economics of advertising
Are KU readers going to be the ones you want?
Going Wide gives you:
Unrestricted freedom
Ultimate control
Access to a very wide global market
The other retailers aren’t sitting still – they want a share of the ebook market
Can be more work but Draft2digital simplifies this immensely
You’ll get flexibility and the ability to change direction and adapt to new opportunities on other retailers
You’ll be focusing on building a readership of people who’ll pay for your books
You might sleep better having spread the risk
You’ll lose page read income
Some advertising strategies may be uneconomic but Bookbub ads become more useful.
It’s up to you to decide between KU and going wide
Make a decision based on your long-term goals
Your career may last decades – build towards a sustainable future
Don’t be swayed by hearsay
Don’t try to copy someone who is in a different league or a different genre.
Stay positive and stick to your guns – there are millions of readers out there, some of them may be waiting for your book!
Writers’ toolbox
Book: Going Wide Unboxed by Patty Jansen – free on Kobo and non-amazon stores: find it here
David Gaughran’s informative post: A Tale of Two Marketing Systems
Draft2Digital – my recommended distributor
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