Amazon KDP Self Publishing: A Comprehensive A-Z How To Guide from Udemy

What is the title of this course?

‘Amazon KDP Self Publishing: A Comprehensive A-Z How To Guide’

Who is it for?

You and absolutely everyone else who aspires to write, whether you are just starting out or have a part-work gathering dust in a drawer or on a half-forgotten computer file. Whether you’re retired or retiring soon and want to fulfil a long-standing ambition to write a book, or at the beginning of your writing career and looking to set up a solid foundation.

What does it cover?

By the time you complete the course, even if you are a complete beginner, you will be in a position to self-publish a deftly-plotted, well-written book in an attractive cover for an audience of thousands of readers in your genre who have subscribed to your author newsletter. And if you are already on your author journey, you can skim through the lecture descriptions and pick and choose whatever looks useful.

Why is this course the best?

The course is comprehensive. It’s well-organized. Every lecture contains need-to-know information. It’s a step-by-step guide that will take you from your original idea to print. Each section is supported by notes: summaries, useful websites and resources.

Why will this information change or improve my life?

It will save you time. You will make mistakes on your author journey, for sure, but at least you can avoid making the mistakes I made. It will save you money. I made some costly blunders but I also made some good decisions in subscribing to particular sites.

Why should I care?

If you have a burning desire to share your stories, this course is a step-by-step blueprint to get you from A to Z. You will gain a huge sense of satisfiction in seeing your work in print. The hard work will have been worth it.

Why is now the time to learn this topic?

In my experience, and no doubt in yours, ‘Now’ is always the best time to start. You never know what’s round the corner. Start now and you will continue. Continue and you will complete.

Why are you the best teacher for this topic?

Not only am I a highly qualified teacher, but I also set up and ran a successful education company for many years. Thousands of students took the courses I wrote with very high satisfaction rates. I am also on my own author journey and have self-published several books. So with my background and experience, I am well-placed to deliver a hands-on course in a serious but engaging way.

Do you get excited about teaching the course?

Researching, writing, revising, recording and editing this course has been a labour of love. Fortunately, I love teaching. I have been a teacher all my working life. But what is most rewarding is the success of my students.

Now let me pose a question.

How many sales do you need to make in your launch week for your book to take off via word of mouth?

According to a niche London-based publisher, it’s 2000.

This course has one paramount aim. To find those 2000 sales you need in your launch week.

And here’s how

First, I will show you how to research the market before you start writing, so you write a book that readers in your genre will love. It’s a strategy called ‘Writing to Market’.

So. Step One. You now have a book that people want to read.

Secondly, I will show you how to format your book beautifully so that you can upload it to Amazon without a glitch. And I will show you how to create free or bespoke book covers that will appeal to your market.

So. Step Two. You now have a book just one click away from going live on Amazon.

3. Thirdly, I will show you how to find thousands of readers in your genre completely legitimately who will happily subscribe to your opt-in email list.

So. Step Three. When you publish your book you will already have a substantial pool of buyers, before you even start advertising.

4. And fourthly, I will show you how to create buzz across the Author Platform we’re going to build leading up to your book launch on Amazon

So. Step Four. You’re a published author and your book is selling. So what next?

Now you’ve been through the process once, it’s going to be so much easier to publish your second book.

I’m Charles Palmer. Former Assistant Headteacher. Former CEO of a successful London-based education company. And now an independently published author and course creator.

Welcome to my course.

This course contains over seven hours of content on how to self-publish your book.

Here’s what’s inside.

How to work out what your writing goals are.

How to set yourself up for success.

How to write the best book you can.

What the Traditional Route is.

What the Independent Route is.

How to overcome procrastination and minimize distractions.

How to re-launch a book that bombed.

How to create both free and bespoke book covers.

How to create a reader magnet.

How to build a large opted-in email list of subscribers interested in your genre.

How to maintain your email list and keep your subscribers happy.

How to create your author brand.

How to create and activate your author social media platform.

What to consider when creating your author website.

How to upload your ebook and other book formats to Amazon.

How to get 4* and 5* reviews.

How to find your way round Amazon promotion and advertising tools.

How to organize your book launch.

If you’d like to get access to all this, then click the button to enrol. I’d love us to work together.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Determine writing goals from the outset
Understand and apply the concept of 'writing to market'
Create book covers for ebooks, paperbacks and hard covers
Create an author brand
Create and activate an author social media platform

Build and nurture an opted-in subscriber email list
Understand the strategies to get 4 and 5 star book reviews
Format and upload a book to amazon
Know their way around amazon's promotional and advertising options
Organise a book launch

Determine writing goals from the outset
Understand and apply the concept of 'writing to market'
Create book covers for ebooks, paperbacks and hard covers
Create an author brand
Create and activate an author social media platform
Build and nurture an opted-in subscriber email list
Understand the strategies to get 4 and 5 star book reviews
Format and upload a book to amazon
Know their way around amazon's promotional and advertising options
Organise a book launch

Syllabus

Introduction

Your Instructor

Get The Most You Can From The Course

Introduction (Notes)

We write for many reasons and usually for a combination of reasons. Only with an awareness of those reasons can we set our writing goals and decide on the path for reaching them. This lecture discusses the second four of eight reasons why writers write.

Compulsion
To Entertain
Diaries and Memoirs
To Develop Authority

To Make Money
To Change The World
To Create a Legacy
Self-Therapy

What percentage of people who start writing a book actually finish it? And what percentage of people who finish writing a book actually publish it? I’ve seen 1%-3% suggested in answer to the first question and 20% in answer to the second.

No one really knows but it’s likely to be very low because writing a book is difficult.

What decided you to become a writer?
There will be setbacks. How strong is your motivation?
What will you have to do to succeed?

We’ve selected three reasons why we want to be a writer from the eight and we’ve put them in order of preference. We can now flesh out the bones to create a Planting the Flag statement.

The Planting the Flag statement is the basis for

Our Branding Statement
Our Elevator Pitch
Our reference point when faced with a dilemma about our direction and goals

The Independent route will give you

complete control of your book
the option to publish quickly
But you should only embark on the independent route if making a lot of money is not your number one priority

A. Your mailing list is going to be at the heart of your marketing and sales.

B. To build a mailing list you will need a book you can give away. It’s called a reader magnet.

C. You will need to house your mailing list somewhere. You will have to register with an online mail delivery company.

D. You will need a flow of readers on to your mailing list so you will have to register with sites which can deliver readers.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the independent publishing route, giving learners complete control over their book and the option to publish quickly

Teaches how to build an email list, which is essential for marketing and sales in self-publishing

Covers creating book covers using tools like UnSplash, Canva, Shutterstock, and BookBrush, which are valuable for self-published authors

Examines the concept of 'Writing to Market,' which helps authors write books that readers in their genre will love

Requires learners to register with online mail delivery companies, which may involve subscription fees

Teaches how to format and upload books to Amazon, which is useful for authors looking to self-publish

Reviews summary

Comprehensive kdp self-publishing guide

According to learners, this course is a comprehensive A-Z guide covering everything needed to self-publish a book on Amazon KDP. Students frequently highlight the step-by-step structure and the clear, engaging instruction provided by the instructor. Reviewers found the practical sections on building an email list, designing book covers, and implementing marketing strategies particularly valuable and highly actionable. While it's considered an excellent starting point, especially for those new to KDP, learners note that achieving publishing success requires significant dedication and consistent effort beyond the course material itself. It offers a solid foundation and a powerful blueprint for navigating the self-publishing landscape.

Ideal for newcomers to self-publishing.

"As someone completely new to Amazon KDP, this course was the perfect introduction and guide."

"If you're just starting out in self-publishing, this provides an invaluable foundation."

"Highly recommended for beginners; more experienced authors might find some initial content familiar."

Success depends on consistent effort and application.

"This course gives you the knowledge, but you have to be prepared to put in the significant work required to succeed."

"It's not a get-rich-quick scheme. The course is excellent, but results are proportional to the effort you invest."

"Applying all the principles takes time and consistent daily work, but the roadmap is there."

Instructor is knowledgeable and easy to follow.

"The instructor is very clear and makes complex topics easy to understand. His passion for the subject is evident."

"Excellent teaching style. He guides you through each step logically."

"I found the instructor's explanations insightful and encouraging throughout the lectures."

Offers actionable tips for marketing and growth.

"The sections on building an email list and using promotional sites were incredibly practical and game-changing for me."

"I learned specific strategies for getting reviews and using Amazon's advertising tools effectively."

"Provides concrete, actionable steps I could immediately apply to my book launch strategy."

Covers the entire process from start to finish.

"This course is truly an A-Z guide to KDP self-publishing. It leaves no stone unturned, covering every step from idea to launch."

"I was impressed by how comprehensive it is. Everything from writing to marketing to formatting is included."

"Provides a complete roadmap for anyone serious about self-publishing on Amazon."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Amazon KDP Self Publishing: A Comprehensive A-Z How To Guide with these activities:

Review Basic Marketing Principles

Show steps

Reviewing basic marketing principles will help you understand how to effectively promote your book and build an audience.

Show steps

Read articles or watch videos on marketing fundamentals.
Review the 4 Ps of marketing: product, price, place, and promotion.
Identify your target audience and their needs.

Read 'Let's Get Digital' by David Gaughran

Show steps

Reading this book will provide a solid foundation in self-publishing best practices and strategies.

View Let's Get Digital on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Let's Get Digital' by David Gaughran.
Read the book carefully, taking notes on key concepts.
Implement the strategies discussed in the book as you progress through the course.

Build an Author Website

Show steps

Building an author website will provide a central hub for your online presence and help you connect with readers.

Show steps

Choose a domain name and hosting provider.
Select a website platform (e.g., WordPress, Wix, Squarespace).
Design your website with an author bio, book information, and contact form.
Integrate your email list signup form.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Reader Magnet

Show steps

Creating a reader magnet will help you attract subscribers to your email list.

Show steps

Identify a valuable piece of content to offer (e.g., short story, chapter excerpt, checklist).
Create the content and format it attractively.
Design a cover for your reader magnet.
Upload the reader magnet to a platform like BookFunnel or StoryOrigin.

Design a Book Cover

Show steps

Designing a compelling book cover is crucial for attracting readers and making sales.

Show steps

Research book covers in your genre to understand current trends.
Choose a color palette and font that reflects your book's tone.
Create a cover using tools like Canva, BookBrush, or hire a professional designer.
Get feedback on your cover design from other authors or readers.

Read 'APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur' by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch

Show steps

Reading this book will provide an entrepreneurial perspective on self-publishing and help you build a successful author career.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur' by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch.
Read the book carefully, focusing on the marketing and business strategies.
Apply the entrepreneurial principles discussed in the book to your self-publishing efforts.

Write Blog Posts Related to Your Book

Show steps

Writing blog posts related to your book will help you attract readers and establish yourself as an expert in your genre.

Show steps

Brainstorm topics related to your book's themes, characters, or setting.
Write engaging and informative blog posts.
Promote your blog posts on social media and other platforms.
Include a call to action to encourage readers to check out your book.

Career center

Learners who complete Amazon KDP Self Publishing: A Comprehensive A-Z How To Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Self Published Author

The role of a self published author is perfectly aligned with this course, as it provides a comprehensive guide to taking a book from an initial idea to publication. This course will enable an aspiring self published author to format their book, create appealing covers, and build a readership by using email lists. The course's step by step approach will be particularly useful for those starting their writing journey, as it covers all the steps from writing to launch, as well as branding and marketing strategies. By completing this course, which is designed to guide a person to self-publish a book, a self published author will gain practical knowledge and avoid common pitfalls.

See salaries and explore the career path for Self Published Author

Indie Author

An indie author benefits greatly from a detailed, practical course like this one that provides a roadmap to publishing independently. This course teaches how to format a book for Amazon Kindle, how to design eye catching covers, and how to build an email list to reach potential readers, all of which are essential for indie authors. The course emphasizes strategies for marketing and promotion such as building an author platform using social media and email lists. Learning from this course will equip an indie author with a comprehensive set of skills to achieve success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indie Author

Authorpreneur

An authorpreneur combines the craft of writing with the business of selling books, and this course perfectly equips one to handle those dual roles. This course will help an authorpreneur through every step of the self publishing process, from idea to launch. This course prepares an authorpreneur to build an author platform, create email lists, and use social media, all the while focusing on how to gain readers. It also offers guidance on book formatting and cover design. Using this course, an authorpreneur will learn the business side of authorship.

See salaries and explore the career path for Authorpreneur

Freelance Writer

A freelance writer can leverage the skills taught in this course to enhance their career, especially if they aim to publish their own work or build a stronger online presence. This course covers important aspects of self publishing, like formatting books, designing covers, and building an email list, which are all crucial for success as a freelance writer who self-publishes. Additionally, the course's focus on branding and marketing will benefit a freelance writer looking to market their work. A freelance writer may find this course useful if they want to control their publishing experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Content Creator

A content creator can use this course to learn how to package content into a book format for self publication. This course provides detailed instruction on formatting, cover design, and marketing a book, all of which are important for a content creator seeking to expand their reach. The course introduces the idea of building an email list and creating an author brand, all of which can be useful to a content creator. The course may help a content creator to diversify content creation and use self publishing as another avenue to reach an audience.

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Marketing Consultant

A marketing consultant may find this course beneficial, particularly if they want to gain insight into the self publishing market or advise authors on their self publishing strategies. The course covers how to build an author platform, create email lists, and use social media, all important topics in marketing and promotion. This course will also be useful for a marketing consultant seeking a deeper understanding of brand building. A marketing consultant may find value in the tactics of this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Consultant

Book Editor

A book editor could find value in this course because it will provide insight into the self-publishing process. This course will provide a book editor with a look at the importance of formatting, cover design, and marketing a book for self-publication. The course's detailed approach to publishing strategy allows a book editor to better understand the needs of a self-publishing author. A book editor may find this course to be an asset as they deepen their knowledge of publishing.

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Social Media Manager

A social media manager who works with authors could use the knowledge from this course to better support their clients. The course includes instruction on building an author brand, creating an author platform, and using various social media channels, all essential to a social media manager. This course is comprehensive and offers strategies for list building, and creating a buzz. A social media manager will benefit from learning the ins and outs of author marketing from this class.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Digital Marketing Specialist

A digital marketing specialist can utilize this course to broaden their understanding of book marketing, specifically for self published authors. This course covers list building, creating a brand, and using Amazon's advertising tools, all of which are useful to a digital marketing specialist. The course may allow a digital marketing specialist to offer more specialized services to authors. This course will equip a digital marketing professional with detailed strategies for author based digital marketing.

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Business Coach

A business coach who works with writers or aspiring authors can benefit from this course as it provides them a comprehensive view of the self publishing process. This course will provide a business coach with strategies for marketing, branding, and platform building, all of which can be useful for a writer or author. The course covers the steps from beginning to end, which allow a business coach to understand all aspects of self publishing. A business coach who takes this course will have a more informed perspective when working with authors.

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Author Assistant

An author assistant can use this course to gain a better understanding of the self publishing process, which helps them better support an author's goals. This course may be useful in providing an author assistant with practical skills, for example book formatting, cover design, and marketing, as well as the importance of email lists and social media presence. As a result of this course, an author assistant will understand the tasks involved in publishing a book, and therefore better understand how to help an author. This course may be beneficial to an author assistant seeking a broader scope of responsibilities.

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Copywriter

The skills that a copywriter learns from this course may give them further understanding of the needs of authors when marketing their book. This course gives a copywriter a perspective on the author's experience in self publishing, as well as how to create a brand, build an audience and establish an online presence. The information in this course can inform a copywriter of the challenges and opportunities of self publishing, which may help them better serve authors. A copywriter will find the marketing information contained in this course to be very valuable.

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Small Business Owner

A small business owner can utilize the marketing and branding strategies taught in this course to enhance their own business. Although this course focuses on publishing, many of the core concepts, like building an audience through email lists, using social media, and creating a brand are essential for any business. A small business owner can gain insight into how to promote their business like an author promotes a book. This course may provide a small business owner with different marketing strategies to apply in a new context.

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Graphic Designer

A graphic designer can benefit from the book cover design sections of this course, especially if they are interested in working with authors. This course provides instruction on creating free or bespoke book covers, as well as considerations for design. A graphic designer may use this course to further specialize in cover design. The course will help a graphic designer understand what is required for a book cover by a self published author.

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Project Manager

A project manager may learn valuable skills in planning and organizing by looking at the self publishing process from this course. The course gives a project manager insight into the many steps of self publishing, beginning with writing and leading to marketing and distribution. The course also underscores the importance of following a detailed process to see a project to completion. This course may give a project manager a new context to see project management principles in action.

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Amazon KDP Self Publishing

A Comprehensive A-Z How To Guide

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive kdp self-publishing guide

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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