• May 7, 2024
How to Sell Books on Amazon - A Guide for Authors and Publishers

If you are interested in how to sell books on Amazon, then you are at the right place. Furthermore, if you’re an author or a publisher, Amazon provides an incredible platform to achieve your goals. 

With millions of potential readers visiting the site daily, mastering the art of selling books on Amazon can significantly impact your success as a writer. 

Amazon’s journey began as an online bookstore. However, it has evolved into a vast marketplace that accommodates the sale of virtually anything. Despite the expansion into various product categories, books remain a significant focus for the company. 

Amazon generates billions of dollars in book sales annually. Furthermore, making it an attractive niche for many sellers to establish their business. Reselling books on Amazon using FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) presents an opportunity to earn money. 

In its early days, books were its sole focus, gradually expanding to include a diverse range of products. According to an eMarketer study, 62% of all books, music, and videos are purchased online.

In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to sell books on Amazon. Furthermore, covering various strategies, tips, and best practices to help you succeed in this competitive marketplace.

How to Sell Books on Amazon: Getting Started

If you don’t know how to sell books on Amazon, then the first step is to choose between selling used or new books. For used books, you can source them from your shelf or find them elsewhere, such as yard sales and clear-outs. 

Moreover, ensuring a well-stocked inventory is crucial for successful book-selling on Amazon. You can also purchase bundles of books to build your inventory effectively. To acquire your inventory, you have the options of offline, online, or wholesale methods. 

Afterward, the next essential step is to create an Amazon seller account. There are additional steps to follow, outlined below, to initiate and enhance your book-selling venture.

  • Visit Amazon.com.
  • Create a regular user account.
  • Find your username and a drop-down menu will appear.
  • Click on ‘Start a selling account’ and then select ‘Sign up.’

You have two options for a seller account on Amazon

Individual Seller Account This option requires a fee of $0.99 for every sale you make.

Professional Seller Account This option entails a monthly fee of $39.99.

After creating your seller account, the next step is to list your books on Amazon. Moreover, enter the ISBN of each book and click on “Have One for Sale” to initiate the listing process. Provide additional details about the book’s condition, ensuring compliance with Amazon’s condition guidelines. 

Choose the fulfillment option for your books, either FBM or FBA. Finally, carefully analyze reviews, selling costs, and potential profits to make informed decisions.

How do you find new books to sell on Amazon?

The process of sourcing books and how to sell books on Amazon involves considering several factors. One crucial aspect is the Amazon Best Sellers Rank (BSR). Furthermore, it indicates the rate at which a product sells on the platform.

Here are some methods to discover books for sale on Amazon:

Sell your books

Undoubtedly, one of the easiest ways to find books to sell is by looking around your own home. Moreover, employing a Marie Kondo-style approach to second-hand items. Check if you have any old books that have been gathering dust.

Keep an eye out for textbooks, books on rare topics, or even old comic books. They might hold potential value for selling on Amazon.

Wholesalers

Indeed, a cost-effective approach is by purchasing entire lots online at remarkably low prices. Websites such as eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook often have listings for bulk books available at discounted rates.

However, ensure that the books you’re buying have not been sorted or scanned previously. Otherwise, you might end up with books that other Amazon sellers have already identified as unprofitable. 

Distributors and Publishers

Distributors play a vital role in facilitating book sales for publishers. You can potentially buy books from distributors. However, it’s important to note that their prices are typically higher than those offered by wholesalers.

Certain publishers might be open to selling their books directly to you. However, they usually do so in large quantities. Consequently, purchasing directly from publishers might require committing to significant volume orders.

How do you find used books to sell on Amazon?

Book Sales

Indeed, book sales can often feel like embarking on a treasure hunt. You can almost always find a book sale happening, particularly at libraries.

To make the most of these sales, equip yourself with a book scanner and venture into these events. Furthermore, with the aid of a book-scanning app, you can swiftly identify promising picks. Consequently, that would be excellent additions to your Amazon listings.

Yard and Estate Sales

Yard sales present excellent opportunities as many people sell books without researching their actual value. However, with some dedicated searching, you can stumble upon amazing deals at these sales.

Estate sales are intended to clear goods swiftly. Moreover, if books are available, they might be sold well below their market value. Keep an eye out for upcoming estate sales on EstateSales.net.

How to Create a Listing of Books

Once your account is prepared and fully set up, it’s time to start creating your listings.

  • Log in to your Amazon Seller account.
  • Click on “Catalog” located in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Moreover, select “Add Product” from the options provided.
  • Enter your book’s ISBN into the search field. The ISBN is a unique assigned to every book. 
  • Choose the condition of the book.
  • Click on “Sell this product.”
  • Enter a unique SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) for your book. If you don’t provide an SKU, Amazon will automatically generate one for you.
  • Input the price for the book. 
  • Specify the number of copies of the book you are selling.
  • Choose your preferred fulfillment method:
  • Click on “Save and Finish” to complete the listing process.

Tips and Tricks

First of all, choose profitable categories. Furthermore, focus on selling textbooks, comics, non-fiction, hardcovers, self-help books, memoirs, health, fitness, dieting, and religion.

Moreover, offer first edition books or signed copies, as they can attract higher prices and interest from collectors. Use lightning deals, discounts, coupons, and buy one, get one free offer to attract more buyers.

Increase sales and build your reputation by advertising your books effectively. However, keep track of stock levels and restock on time to avoid running out of popular items.

Ensure clear and comprehensive details in your book titles, including the author’s name and edition number. Use relevant keywords and high-quality images to attract serious buyers.

FAQs

How much does Amazon take per book sold?

Kindle publishers receive either a 35% or 70% royalty for each book sold. Amazon retains 65% for books below $2.99 or above $9.99 and 30% for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99. Authors earn higher profits within the $2.99 to $9.99 price range.

Is it a good idea to sell books on Amazon?

Selling used books on Amazon can be profitable with low inventory investment, making it a valuable opportunity to explore the platform before delving into private-label products. It’s a lucrative option worth considering.

How do you sell books and get paid on Amazon?

To begin selling a book on Amazon, follow these steps:

  • Input the book’s ISBN code in Amazon’s search bar.
  • Click the “Sell on Amazon” button.
  • Enter the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) for your reference.
  • Set your desired price for the book.
  • Specify the total quantity you wish to sell.
  • Choose the condition of the book (e.g., new, used, etc.).
  • Select your preferred fulfillment channel, either MFN (Merchant Fulfillment Network) or FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon).

Will Amazon Buy my books?

Amazon does not provide cash exchange for any book.

For more information, visit cosmosmagazines.com

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