Marketplaces vs. selling direct
- Marketplaces (Amazon, Apple Books, Etsy) have built-in traffic. People are already shopping there. In return they take a bigger cut and you don’t get the buyer’s email.
- Direct platforms (Gumroad, Payhip, Shopify, your site) need you to bring the traffic, but you keep more of each sale and you own the customer list.
1. Amazon KDP: the biggest bookstore on earth
Best for books that solve a problem people search Amazon for. Amazon pays up to 70% royalties for ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 (35% outside that range). Upload EPUB or DOCX.
Amazon asks you to disclose AI-generated content when you publish. It doesn’t stop you selling; it just needs to be declared.
2. Gumroad: the fastest way to start selling
Create a product page, upload your PDF and share the link within minutes. Great for creators with an audience on social media. Gumroad takes a percentage per sale, so check their current fees.
3. Payhip: direct sales with built-in marketing tools
Similar to Gumroad, with coupons, affiliate programs and an email list built in. A strong choice if you plan to sell several ebooks and courses.
4. Etsy: perfect for workbooks and printables
Etsy shoppers love planners, journals, workbooks and recipe collections. Visual covers and good keywords matter a lot here. Export as PDF.
5. Apple Books, Kobo and Google Play Books
These stores reach readers Amazon doesn’t, especially outside the US. They all accept EPUB. If you’re not using Amazon’s exclusive KDP Select program, publishing here too is free extra reach.
6. Shopify or your own website
If you already have a store or a site with traffic, adding your ebook as a digital product keeps everything under your brand. More setup, most control.
7. Your email list
Not a platform, but often the most profitable channel. Readers who already know you convert far better than strangers. Even a list of 200 people can drive your first sales.
Our recommendation for your first ebook
- Publish on Amazon KDP to be discoverable.
- Sell the PDF on Gumroad or Payhip and promote that link yourself, since you keep more per sale.
- Offer a free chapter as a lead magnet so every visitor can join your email list.
Get a book ready for every store
Export PDF for direct sales and EPUB or DOCX for Amazon, Apple and Kobo, all from one book.
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