Q&A for How to Sell Books on Amazon

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  • Question
    I belong to a non governmental organization and we have published a book with the UNHCR for survivors of torture. We sell it for very cheap ( it is a donation really of $4). It is in English and Tigrinya. Can we sell it through Amazon?
    Community Answer
    You could look into Amazon's FBA service which makes it available to a very wide audience (as you will ship your stock to Amazon and they will be the ones packing and shipping it). People prefer to buy stuff if it is sent by Amazon and if it is FBA, then it allows Prime members to get it quicker also.
  • Question
    If I'm near an Amazon fulfillment center, can I simply drive my books there?
    Community Answer
    No. I spoke with a man at Amazon who said it was a very complicated process and in-person delivery was not conducive to their process.
  • Question
    How do you get paid?
    Community Answer
    When you set up your account, it will ask for your credit card information, and it will put the money from the buyer into your account.
  • Question
    As a Nigerian, how do I complete the "Add credit information" section while in the process of registering to sell my book, if Nigeria is not included in the listed countries?
    Community Answer
    Join PayPal then you can put any country as it's an internationally recognized safe payment service.
  • Question
    If I upload my novel as an E-book on Kindle for sale and available on Kindle Unlimited, am I restricted from printing and selling the book as a paperback through independent book stores and Amazon?
    Community Answer
    You are not restricted as long as the contract that you sign with Amazon states that it is non-exclusive.
  • Question
    If I have Amazon Prime, does that reduce the cost of selling a book?
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately, it does not. However, you can use Fulfillment by Amazon to ship and manage the inventory of your product, which lets Amazon do the work for you. There is a small fee per item. Items above 300 units of your local currency (dollars, pounds) are free to ship with FBA.
  • Question
    Is there a market in the USA for French books?
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! There aren't a lot of native foreign language books on the Amazon US store, they will typically have no problem selling.
  • Question
    Does Amazon charge a fee or take a portion of the payment?
    Community Answer
    Yes, Amazon will typically take a commission if you choose to sell through them.
  • Question
    If the book is a paperback weighing about 1 pound and will be shipped to Britain, how much is the shipping cost, and who pays for it?
    Community Answer
    You pay for it. How much the shipping cost is depends on your Kindle.
  • Question
    Is there a way to send boxes of books to an Amazon fulfillment center?
    Community Answer
    No. It's not conducive to their process, therefore they don't accept in person drop offs.
  • Question
    Who pays the shipping of a book if I sell it, the buyer or me?
    Community Answer
    You will have to pay the shipping when you go to send it. However, you can add the cost of shipping to the purchase price when you list the item.
  • Question
    Can I sell books that are available through Amazon?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Anybody can sell any item on Amazon, even if it is not yours. Amazon will not penalize you for selling an item.
  • Question
    Do I need to have a credit card account to sell books on Amazon?
    Community Answer
    In order to sell on Amazon, you do need to have a valid credit card or debit card registered to your seller account.
  • Question
    I am trying to set up a seller account, and it says I will be charged $39.99, but the instructions say 99 cents per book. Which is correct?
    Top Answerer
    Amazon offers two types of seller accounts: 1) Individual plan – You pay 99 cents per book sold with no monthly fee, best for small-volume sellers. 2) Professional plan – Costs $39.99 per month without per-book fees, best for sellers who list many books. If you see the $39.99 charge, you are selecting the professional plan. Switch to the individual plan during setup if you prefer the 99 cents per book option.
  • Question
    How do I send my books to Amazon's fulfillment center in Houston after signing the seller agreement?
    Top Answerer
    After signing the seller agreement, create an FBA shipment in your Amazon Seller account under Inventory and select Send/Replenish Inventory. Enter book details, set the quantity, and select Amazon’s Houston fulfillment center if assigned. Print and apply Amazon’s FBA labels if required. Pack the cases following Amazon’s packing guidelines, choose a carrier, print shipping labels, and send the cases to the address Amazon provides. Once received, Amazon stores and ships them when customers order.
  • Question
    How much does Amazon charge to sell books?
    Top Answerer
    Amazon takes a 30% commission on eBook sales, leaving you with 70% of the royalties if the book is priced between $2.99 and $9.99. For books outside this range, you earn 35%. For print books, Amazon charges a printing fee based on page count and size, plus a 60% commission on the list price. Additional fees may apply if you use Amazon Ads for promotion.
  • Question
    How can I market a printed version of my self-published book through Amazon?
    Top Answerer
    To market your printed book and eBook on Amazon, sign up for a seller account at sellercentral.amazon.com. For both versions, use Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) at kdp.amazon.com. Upload your manuscript, cover, and set the price for the Kindle/eBook version. For the print version, select paperback or hardcover and upload the same details. Set your pricing and royalty options. Amazon will print and ship the paperback. You can also promote your book using Amazon Ads. If you need more help, contact Amazon KDP support.
  • Question
    I'm having trouble registering for an individual account because I have an old account that was discontinued. The website won't let me open a new account. What should I do?
    Top Answerer
    Clear your browser cache or use a different browser. If the old account is linked to your email, try using a new one for the new account. If the issue persists, contact Amazon support for assistance.
  • Question
    How do I find the link to sell my book on Amazon?
    Top Answerer
    To sell your book, sign in to Amazon Seller Central at sellercentral.amazon.com. Click "Inventory," then "Add a Product." You can search for your book using the ISBN or enter the details manually. Choose whether you’ll fulfill orders yourself (FBM) or use FBA. Set your price, add a description, and upload any images. Once done, your book will be listed for sale on Amazon.
  • Question
    Can I sell my own printed book on Amazon without using the Advantage program? I want to sell my books like any other product on Amazon.
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you can utilize Amazon Seller Central to list and sell your printed books like any other product. You'll need to set up a seller account, list your book under the "Books" category with details like title, author, and price, and decide between fulfilling orders yourself or using FBA. This method allows you to sell your book directly to customers.
  • Question
    Do I need approval from Amazon to send my books to them for FBA? Will they list the books?
    Top Answerer
    To use FBA, sign up for Amazon Seller Central and choose FBA. List your books with details like title, author, and condition. Create a shipment plan in your account, then send your books to Amazon's fulfillment centers. They'll handle storage, packing, and shipping for a fee.
  • Question
    Does Amazon pick up large boxes of books from a home?
    Top Answerer
    Amazon does not pick up large boxes of books from homes. To sell on Amazon Marketplace, you need to pack and ship the books yourself. If you have many books, you can use a shipping service like UPS, FedEx, or USPS for bulk shipments. Some local charities or bookstores might offer pick-up services if you choose to donate the books.
  • Question
    I have around 400 books, both hardcover and softcover, most purchased from Amazon. Does Amazon buy books in bulk?
    Community Answer
    Amazon doesn’t buy books in bulk, but you can sell them on Amazon Marketplace.
  • Question
    How can I sell my book on Amazon if it's written in a language other than English? What is the process?
    Top Answerer
    It's the same process as for English-language books. Sign up for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Format your book and design a cover, then upload your manuscript and cover to KDP. Choose your language, set the price, and select royalty options. Once you're ready, click "Publish" and your book will be live on Amazon in 24-48 hours. Promote your book through social media or ads to reach your audience.
  • Question
    What is the easiest way to sell used books on Amazon?
    Top Answerer
    To sell used books on Amazon, create a seller account, list your books by searching for them and selecting "Sell on Amazon," set a price, and provide details on the book's condition. When your book sells, ship it directly to the buyer. You can use Amazon Marketplace to list your books.
  • Question
    Should I wait to list the books I send to Amazon until they receive them, or can I list them beforehand?
    Top Answerer
    Amazon does not contact you when they receive your fulfillment order, but you can track the shipment status in your seller account. You should list your books in your Amazon FBA inventory before sending them. Once Amazon receives and processes them, your listings will become active and available for purchase. You can check the status under inventory in your account.
  • Question
    I can't create an Amazon Seller account under my name to sell books. I've entered my PAN as tax details, but it doesn't proceed further. I don't need a GSTIN because my turnover is below INR 20 lakhs. How can I sell them?
    Top Answerer
    If you're having trouble creating your Amazon Seller account, ensure your PAN details are correct and match exactly. Try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. Make sure you're selecting the "Individual" seller option instead of "Business," which requires a GSTIN. If it still doesn’t work, contact Amazon Seller Support for help.
  • Question
    How can I sell my book?
    Top Answerer
    Self-publish on platforms like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark. Create a website to promote and sell directly. Use social media, blogs, and giveaways to market your book. Approach local bookstores or online retailers to list it. You can also hold book signings or readings to boost visibility.
  • Question
    What does ISBN and FBA mean?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    ISBN means "International Standard Book Number," a unique, 10-digit identifier for any published book. FBA is "Fulfillment By Amazon," a packaging and shipping service offered by Amazon to its sellers.
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