Why Are My Books Not Selling on Amazon KDP?

About this video

This video’s banked transcript is on an Arabic caption track; summarized here in English, Dale diagnoses five reasons books do not sell on Amazon KDP. First, the blurb: a description that tells readers what is inside without giving them a compelling reason to part with money loses the sale, and he recommends Bryan Cohen’s and Brian Meeks’s books on descriptions and blurbs. Second, price: it must match the value the blurb promises — not bargain-basement pricing, but realism about what the current description supports. Third, the cover: he says he is repeatedly sent unsold books whose covers look amateur, and insists people judge books by covers, so writers should stick to writing and hire a professional cover designer. Fourth, competition and brand: entering crowded niches such as children’s books, self-help or fitness and simply publishing and praying is, he says, a recipe for failure; his edge is author brand as a promise of what readers can expect, and a scattered catalogue — a bear-shifter romance, then a seniors’ workout plan, then poetry under one brand — breaks that promise. Fifth, marketing: the publish-and-pray era is over, and authors must consistently promote. He closes by offering a full launch action plan.

Key takeaways

• A blurb must sell the benefit, not just describe the contents
• Price has to match the value the blurb actually establishes
• An amateur cover kills sales regardless of content quality — hire a designer
• Author brand is a reader promise; a scattered catalogue breaks it
• Consistent marketing is now mandatory; publish-and-pray no longer works

Episode details: published March 28, 2019 · 8:47 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Dale L. Roberts’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

← Previous: How to Make Money Self Publishing on Amazon · Next: Barnes And Noble Press Hardcover Review: Is This For Real?! →

All Dale L. Roberts videos · Dale L. Roberts profile · Dale L. Roberts on YouTube