What is the 10% rule for KDP?

The 10% rule for KDP, or Kindle Direct Publishing, is a guideline that authors should follow when setting the price for their self-published e-books on Amazon. This rule suggests that the ideal price for an e-book should be around 10% of the print book’s price.

KDP is a self-publishing platform created by Amazon that allows authors to publish their books in digital format and make them available for purchase on the Kindle e-reader and other devices. With the rise of e-books and the increasing popularity of self-publishing, KDP has become a popular choice for authors looking to reach a wider audience and retain control over their work.

The 10% rule for KDP was first introduced by Mark Coker, the founder of Smashwords, another popular self-publishing platform. Coker noticed that many self-published authors were pricing their e-books too high, which was resulting in lower sales and less exposure for their books. He believed that by following the 10% rule, authors could strike the perfect balance between pricing their e-books competitively and still earning a decent profit.

So, how does the 10% rule work? Let’s say you have a print book that is priced at $15. According to the 10% rule, the ideal price for the e-book version of your book would be $1.50. This may seem like a low price, but it is important to remember that e-books have lower production costs and do not require printing, shipping, or storage fees like print books do. Therefore, authors can afford to price their e-books lower and still make a profit.

One of the main advantages of following the 10% rule is that it makes your e-book more attractive to potential buyers. Many readers are hesitant to purchase an e-book that is priced higher than the print version, as they feel like they are not getting a good deal. By pricing your e-book at 10% of the print book’s price, you are offering readers a significant discount and making your book more appealing.

Another benefit of the 10% rule is that it can help you reach a wider audience. Lower-priced e-books are more likely to be purchased by readers who are on a budget or are looking for a good deal. This can lead to more sales and potentially more reviews, which can help boost your book’s visibility on Amazon.

However, it is important to note that the 10% rule is just a guideline and not a hard and fast rule. Every book and author is different, and there may be instances where pricing your e-book at 10% of the print book’s price may not be the best option. For example, if your print book is priced very low, it may not make sense to price your e-book at $0.50. In such cases, it is important to consider other factors such as the genre, target audience, and competition when determining the price for your e-book.

In conclusion, the 10% rule for KDP is a useful guideline for self-published authors to follow when pricing their e-books on Amazon. By pricing your e-book at 10% of the print book’s price, you can make your book more attractive to readers, potentially reach a wider audience, and still earn a decent profit. However, it is important to remember that this rule is not set in stone and should be adjusted based on individual circumstances. Ultimately, the key to success on KDP is finding the right balance between pricing and marketing your e-book.