Self Publishing. Paperback and Kindle?

[Daphnesmate04]

Can I ask those of you who have self published your book or are clued up about this kind of thing, which route is the best to take?

I am planning to self publish later in the year for the first time (via Amazon) and have only really been concentrating on the paperback version. Did you simultaneously publish on Kindle or did you launch one then the other and if so in what order? Whilst it has not been written primarily for monetary reasons, it would be great having reached this point to maximise sales.

Any advice gratefully received.

I did both simultaneously. I also ordered a batch of paperbacks so I could sell/give away in person, but have only sold a few, as it was a non-fiction book of my family history, with very little interest for non-family members.

Exactly the thread I was looking for.

My FIL wrote some books and we're looking to get them published.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

I haven't worked out the biggest returns (financial) for both methods (I know the royalty for paperback because I have followed this path first). Someone said they would buy my book on kindle and I did question why kindle and then realised it would be a lot cheaper to purchase the book this way (but then again you haven't got printing and postage to factor in I guess).

Has anyone had experience of this? Did you sell more through one method or another...better to launch one then another?

I never wrote my book for commercial reasons but having written it, I would like to maximise sales.

I suppose even those who have gone down the traditional route, might be able to provide some feedback on this (please).

Hi, I illustrated a book which came out recently (mid Jan) simultaneously paperback/kindle and first royalties have just been calculated. For us the margin on ebooks is huge (compared to the paperback) and we’re supposed to push this wherever possible (it’s also on kindle unlimited where you get paid per page read but haven’t heard how well this is doing). Obviously v early but so far paperback sales have so wildly exceeded expectations that Amazon keep buying more and they’ve put it on Prime now, which they certainly don’t do for every book.

I don’t really understand why you wouldn’t make the book available in as many forms as possible simultaneously? We’ve finally been approved for audible so hopefully that will generate more sales, not sure I’d recommend this though even if you are lucky enough to get free use of a studio. Audible have been really difficult to deal with.

But in terms of pricing, the paperback is £14.99, the ebook is £7.99 (or free with a kindle unlimited subscription) and the audiobook is £24.99. I guess with self publishing you can charge what you like?

As someone who is trad published in kindle and paperback I can tell you that the ebook (especially when it's at 99p) sells a LOT more than the paperback. A lot. Because people who are new to an author will take a punt on a book for 99p (I do all the time) but won't pay out £7.99 for a paperback.

Trad published here but echo what’s been said above. I think people like the immediacy of an ebook as well as the lower cost. I know if I’m in the mood to read something right away especially in lockdown with bookshops closed, I’ll download it on my kindle rather than wait for delivery. I buy physical books of authors I know I’ll really enjoy so I think as a debut author, digital is definitely a good idea.

Thank you for your responses, much appreciated. I have only looked into profit margin re paperback so far...what tends to be the profit margin for an ebook, say for example £2.99?