Can I double my Amazon KDP income? Here's what I *think* I need to do...

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

I think I might have set my goal too low! Since making the video I’ve decided to aim for $250 a month. Wish me luck 🍀

[@simonsharp3319]

i enjoy your channel and it reminds me to focus on why i'm doing stuff which is for freedom - and not to 'make as much money as possible'. However I offer a slight 'reality check" in case its useful: I was trying KDP and i saw the potential of it so I decided to focus 90% of my effort on it for a year. I went from $100 to $300 to $600 and $900 over a few months and then a 'peak season' hit and I earnt $8000 in one month and after that $1000 to $3000 every month since. and I didn't do any fancy 'high content' books even. I just leveraged my background in design, photoshop and visual culture. It took around 10 months to get there. I totally get the not wanting to do one thing and have a number of small pots on the go - but I have to say, from my experience all the people advising to 'focus on one thing at a time' are kind of right - and I am probably similar to you in that getting myself to do that did NOT come naturally to me.

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Thanks Simon, I definitely need to put more into KDP to get more out of it.

[@Merricat66]

I think you will make it! I always appreciate your realistic approach to your income streams!

[@natjcreates]

I agree with you, Mel is really realistic, and because of that - truly motivating for me! I have tried learning from people that are like "make $3000 in your first month", and it didn't work, of course. It's so much more beneficial to learn from a regular honest person I can identify with

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Thank you! I definitely approach my progress as small steps 🙂

[@ruthannenelson3769]

@@natjcreates This!!! I came on to say exactly this. Her realistic videos have broken through my paralysis and have me working to launch my little side hustle.

[@yrankin1]

Your so refreshing.

[@landonmatthew]

if your books are doing well so far, add will do really well for you!

[@landonmatthew]

subscribing! i’m excited to learn REAL things from you. I’ve been looking for fun creative outlets as a music producter/teacher. I think children’s books about music would be so much fun!

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Great idea for some books!

[@gracegibson9865]

Great new video Mel. Love your enthusiasm! I too love the creative process of covers, but I really like doing the research part, it's like panning for gold and finding hidden nuggets..lol

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Oooh, yes I need to think of it like that!

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

I’m always happy to see you have a new video out! I started a KZbin channel recently and also have started kdp. It’s been good watching you on your journey! All the best with all of your ventures!

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Thanks so much Kate! That’s motivating to know that 🙂

[@DianasReviews]

Me too 😊@Kate_Pilgrim

[@ruthannenelson3769]

@Kate_Pilgrim I'm just a step behind you, but yes. Same. Mel has inspired me.

[@nicolemontgomery2346]

Just started watching a few videos and the fact you are low budget and working on passive income in a very realistic way is great. Love the videos! Can’t wait to watch more!

[@geeso80]

I love you! And this intro is everything.

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Aww ☺️ I can’t actually remember what was in the intro 😂

[@terript1]

Thank you so much for your videos. I really love them. I can't wait until your update and financials video comes out. I always make sure I click on the ads on your videos. I wonder if that makes a difference.

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

That’s so nice to hear! Don’t worry about clicking on ads as it doesn’t really make much difference. It’s the views on the video as a whole that makes a difference so just watching is enough 🙂

[@marym9228]

I think you'll make your $200 goal since you're devoting more time & have so many new ideas ❤

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

I hope so! 🤞🏻 I can’t wait to get started…

[@de-stress1973]

I have so many questions like what is the best device to use to write books and spell check ! I would love to write some short self help books, I know online is easier and popular but I would like to see paperback versions also (because I,m old !) Love the videos :)

[@lululka87]

I have been watching your videos for quite a while and I would like to ask a few questions. Hope you dont mind and please would you kindly reply? When you make sales on Amazon KDP and you receive money, what's next? I know it's a silly question and I kinda know that it might be different in different countries, but what do you do next? Do you create an invoice and send it to Amazon - if yes, where do you send it? Or are the royalties treated differently? Thank you so much for your help and answers. Have a nice day!

[@lindaashford7187]

Are you discussing just digital paper books and/or text books? For context

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

I can’t make textbooks unless I have a traditional publisher so the same sort of books I’ve been making and some new higher content ones.

[@katiehall6557]

I tried searching for sparrows end on Amazon and nothing came up. How do we find your products?

[@AL6198]

Don't want to speak for Mel, but we all have pen names to keep creeps from copying what we do, which, of course, does not mean they won't. It's sad, but what some people do is trawl Amazon and copy content, titles, and graphics like a photo copier, and Amazon lets them! And checking her books but not buying would up her click-through rate but lower her conversion rate, which is the absolute worst thing which can happen to a seller on Amazon.

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

I don’t have a public pen name as yet but I’m working on it so I can share some books.

[@katiehall6557]

@@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries oh, okay. I couldn’t understand why you’d pay to advertise your products but not plug them to your subscribers. But the other comment sounds like you’ve got to worry more about trolls and copycats. Weird world we live in.

[@Rebecca_pier42consulting]

Hey! Quick question - if you publish short stories on the platform can you publish under a different name? Keen not to use my own (for a couple of personal reasons!)

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Yes, you can use lots of different pen names in the same account.

[@denisedeakins4828]

Hi Mel, this sounds just like me :D I have been revisiting older books and improving covers, the description, back end keywords Etc. I have made A+ content for only a few of my books and I also prefer making books rather than spending lots of time on researching niches which i also find boring. I do use free tools to try to discover good keywords for the title and subtitle but often think the lack sales reflect how poorly I have done this part. I'm amazed by people like you that get organic sales so I'd love to know how some KDPers still manage this. I have been using Amazon Lottery style Auto ads for around 2 years and am very used to how these work now, tweaking them regularly but I do keep my daily and monthly spend fairly low. I probably need to look back on the data a bit more. I have tried social media, Insta, Facebook and Pinterest but I only have a small following and you need to post consistently which I don't have time for with a full time job. I would also love to expand my earnings and have been very gradually aiming for more medium content books. Good luck, I'm sure you'll reach your new goal!

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Yeah, I think there’s always a reason for low or no sales, it’s just a matter of uncovering what it is! I view this as a positive thing because you always learn something important when you look for ways to improve.

[@AL6198]

Oh my God! Let's team up... I have to kick myself silly in order to stop doing research, but I dread making the books! You are selling yourself short. Your business will probably start to snowball on forward......

[@SparrowsEndBusinessDiaries]

Our work would dovetail nicely! 😂