Beyond Amazon: Exploring Wide Distribution Strategies for Your Book

For many indie authors, Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform is the first and often only port of call for selling ebooks. The allure of KDP Select, with its Kindle Unlimited (KU) readership and promotional tools, is strong. However, there's a whole world of readers beyond the Amazon ecosystem. "Going wide" – distributing your book to multiple retailers and platforms – is a strategy that can offer significant long-term benefits.

But is wide distribution right for you? Let's explore the considerations.

KDP Select Exclusivity vs. Going Wide

The central decision often revolves around Amazon's KDP Select program. Enrolling in KDP Select requires you to make your ebook exclusive to Amazon for 90-day periods. In return, your book is included in Kindle Unlimited (where you're paid per page read) and the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, and you can use promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions.

Pros of KDP Select (Exclusivity):

• Access to KU readers, a large and voracious audience.
• Potentially higher earnings from page reads if your book does well in KU.
• Amazon's promotional tools can boost visibility.
• Simpler to manage sales and marketing on a single platform.

Cons of KDP Select (Exclusivity):

• You miss out on readers who don't shop on Amazon or don't use Kindle devices/apps.
• Your income is entirely dependent on one retailer (all eggs in one basket).
• You can't reach library readers or readers on international platforms where Amazon might not be dominant.

Pros of Going Wide:

• Broader Reach: Access readers on Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, Nook, and many other smaller retailers and library services worldwide.
• Diversified Income Streams: Sales from multiple platforms provide more income stability. If one platform's sales dip, others can compensate.
• Resilience: You're not solely reliant on Amazon's algorithms or policy changes.
• Discoverability: Different platforms have different discovery algorithms and reader bases.
• Author Brand Building: Being available on multiple platforms can enhance your author brand's perceived professionalism and reach.

Cons of Going Wide:

• More Management: Uploading and managing your book on multiple platforms takes more time and effort.
• Marketing Complexity: Marketing efforts need to be adapted for different retailers.
• Slower Initial Traction (Potentially): It might take longer to build sales momentum on multiple smaller platforms compared to focusing all efforts on Amazon.
• No access to KDP Select's specific promotional tools or KU page reads.

Key Platforms for Wide Distribution

If you decide to go wide, here are some of the major players:

• Amazon KDP (Non-Select): You can still sell your book on Amazon without enrolling in KDP Select. You just won't be in KU.
• Kobo Writing Life: Strong international presence, particularly in Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe. Offers its own subscription service (Kobo Plus) in some regions.
• Apple Books: Access to a vast audience of iOS and Mac users. Often favored for non-fiction and visually rich books, but great for all genres.
• Google Play Books: Reaches Android users worldwide.
• Barnes & Noble Press (Nook): Still a relevant platform, especially for reaching US Nook readers.

Using Aggregators for Wide Distribution

Managing direct accounts with every retailer can be time-consuming. Aggregators (also called distributors) simplify this by allowing you to upload your book once and have it distributed to many retailers and library platforms. They typically take a small percentage of your royalties.

Popular aggregators include:

• Draft2Digital (D2D): User-friendly interface, excellent customer service. Distributes to Amazon (non-Select), Apple, Kobo, B&N, and many others. Offers helpful tools like automated formatting and universal book links.
• Smashwords: One of the oldest aggregators. Distributes to a wide network, including library services like OverDrive. Has a slightly steeper learning curve but a vast reach. (Note: Draft2Digital acquired Smashwords in 2022, and they are integrating their services, but both still operate.)
• PublishDrive: Offers distribution to a wide range of global retailers, including many harder-to-reach international markets and niche platforms. Often uses a subscription model rather than a percentage of royalties.

Making the Decision

There's no single "right" answer. The best strategy depends on your goals, your genre, your tolerance for administrative work, and your long-term vision for your author career.

• New Authors: Some new authors find it easier to start with KDP Select to learn the ropes and potentially gain early traction with KU.
• Series Authors: Some authors keep the first book in a series in KDP Select (or permafree) to draw readers in, then go wide with later books in the series.
• Established Authors: Many established authors eventually go wide to diversify income and build a broader readership.

You can also experiment. Try KDP Select for a 90-day term. If it doesn't meet your expectations, you can opt-out and go wide.

Ultimately, whether you choose exclusivity with Amazon or embrace the wider market, the key is to make an informed decision that aligns with your author business goals. Book Blaster can support your marketing efforts regardless of your distribution strategy, helping you create assets that resonate with readers on any platform.

Are you team KDP Select or team Wide? Share your experiences and reasoning in the comments!