Why You Should Sell Your Book on Amazon

by Corinne Liccketto

It’s a known fact that authors will make more money if consumers buy their books through their personal book or author website. So why would an author make their book available for purchase on Amazon.com where they’ll lose a greater percentage of the sale?

Amazon is the place to go for books. Having your product available for purchase on Amazon makes you and your book a part of the literary community. In order to increase awareness for your book, establish credibility, and put consumers at ease, Amazon distribution is pertinent.

If you’re conducting a book publicity campaign, media will often check for more information on Amazon. If your book is not there, some may think it doesn’t exist. We’ve actually witnessed this firsthand. We were promoting a book for an author who had not uploaded his book on Amazon by the start of his book publicity campaign. When active pitching was underway, a media contact emailed the author’s publicist to say he had checked on Amazon but couldn’t locate the book. He thought the book was not yet published and, unfortunately, the media opportunity was missed.

If a consumer is interested in purchasing your book, they’re most likely to buy through a website that they know. While they may be able to read your author bio on your website and familiarize themselves with your book, the truth is you’re still unknown to them. Consumers feel most comfortable entering their credit card information on a reputable site. Plus, the more places your book is available for purchase, the more book sales you’re likely to see.

Amazon is a literary community. Having your book available for purchase on Amazon means readers can share their feedback. Professional reviewers can share their reviews. Authors can create their profile, giving insight into their background, expertise, and inspiration for their book. With the newer 'Search Inside' feature, interested parties can preview the product before moving forward with a purchase or review. Remember, the more information a consumer and media contact can review, the more appeal the product takes on and the more credibility you’ll add to your author platform. For tips on how to make the most of your Amazon book page, please review President Sandy Diaz’s previous blog post.

Bottom line: Don’t miss out on visibility or, most importantly, book sales. Make your book available for sale on Amazon today!