Using Amazons Digital Text Platform
Amazon’s digital text platform, also known as DTP, may not mean much to you. It may be just another application you don’t need. Stop right now! Don’t think this way. As an e-book author, Amazon’s digital text platform is not just an application, but a moneymaking tool. It allows you to covert your e-books into digital text format. What is so special about this format? It makes your e-book compatible with the popular Amazon Kindle. In fact, when finished, your e-book is sold in the Amazon Kindle Book Store!
You can visit the Amazon DTP two ways. The easiest is by visiting DigitalTextPlatform.com. Access is also possible through Amazon.com. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Self-Publish with Us,” link. Choose the Amazon Kindle. In fact, while on this page, examine Amazon’s other self-publishing options.
Amazon owns and operates this website. All Amazon accounts will work. If you do not have an Amazon account, create a free one. All users need to visit the “My Account,” section on the dashboard. Make sure your information is up-to-date and accurate. They need a way to contact you and pay you when a sale is made.
To start the publishing process, select “My Self,” from the dashboard headings. Then, click to add a new item. A new box will appear. This is step one of three. Enter in product details. An ISBN number is requested, but not required. A description of your book is optional too, but this is a must. Reader will not buy a book based on its cover and title alone. Write a short, but detailed description. Highlight the steps covered in the how-to guide or summarize the storyline in the horror book.
Also in the product description box is a heading for category and search keywords. These steps too are optional, but important. Choose the right category for your book. Don’t list a creative horror book in with the romance novels and so forth. As for keywords, be accurate. Describe the book in short words or phrases. Does the e-book show people how to save money? Save money on groceries, save on groceries, how to save money, and ways to save money are great keyword search phrases.
Once the product details are complete, save the page and the move onto the next. This page is titled “Upload and Preview Book.” A box will appear asking for the media location. Browse your computer to find the file. HTML files are recommended, but documents ending in .txt, .pdf, and .doc are acceptable. After finding the proper document, upload. The process will begin. The file is not only uploaded, but converted into digital text too. For that reason, this process can take time. File size and internet connection impacts upload times.
The second half of this step is previewing your document. Most files will convert without complications, but they do occur. In most cases, they are formatting issues, such as missing paragraph breaks. Scan your document. Make necessary changes before saving the page and moving onto the next.
The final step in this process is to set your selling price. Prices can be .99 cents to $200. According to Amazon’s Terms and Conditions, you receive 35% in royalties from each sale. You are paid after your royalties total $10. Don’t overprice your book, as it will limit sales. Don’t under price, as it will impact your profits. Save your price and move onto the next step, this is to publish. Within 24 hours, your digital text book will be available for sale on Amazon.com.
Amazon Kindle Vs eBooks
If you are a web content writer who wants to increase your earnings, you may move up to the next level. For most, this is e-books. Although you can write e-books for hire, you can also write and sell your own. In fact, you have many options when doing so. You can leave your e-Book as is or use the Amazon digital text platform to transform your e-book into an Amazon Kindle book. Which option is best? Both!
If you want to make money selling an e-book you composed, it is important to understand your targeted market. Unfortunately, it is still relatively small. E-books are increasing in popularity, but some people don’t want to read a book on a computer. Many still want to feel the pages or literally cuddle with a blanket and a good book. For that reason, you need to target as many potential buyers as possible. That is why you should not only sell your e-book as it, but also convert it to a digital text Amazon Kindle book.
Most writers utilize Microsoft Word. Its spell check and grammar check programs make it easy to catch errors. After composing your e-book, proofread it. This is the most important step. Bad books get negative press and bad reviews. If you want to profit as an e-book author you need a quality book and one that isn’t riddled with errors.
After composing your e-book and proofreading, you want to get started with the Kindle Book transformation. You should do this first, as it is very easy. Visit Amaozon.com. Create a free account if you don’t have one. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Self-Publish with Us,” link. On that page, choose the Amazon Kindle. You may need to log into your account again. You should be brought to the dashboard.
Once at your dashboard for the Amazon digital text platform, choose the feature that allows you to add a new item. From there, follow the directions. This begins with entering in product details. Summarize your e-book in the product description, enter in your tile and your name as the author. The next step is the conversion. Upload your Microsoft Word document and Amazon will convert it to digital text. Proofread and preview. The final step is setting your price. Once done, click “Publish,” and your book will be uploaded to the Amazon Kindle Store in about 24 hours.
The Amazon Kindle is a handheld electronic device. It weighs 10.3 ounces and simplifies the reading of an e-book. Owners can browse, preview, purchase, and download books from the Kindle Store without any wires or computer. On average, most e-books sell for $9.99. Amazon pays you a 35% royalty fee for each sale. Although small, you can still make a profit. It is because you are targeting a specific group of customers, Kindle owners.
Targeting Amazon Kindle owners gives you an advantage, but it also hurts your profits. Kindles are popular, but not everyone owns them. They cost almost $400 and Amazon has a hard time keeping up with requests. So, don’t just rely on the Kindle the make money from your e-book. Create an account with Adobe Create a PDF or use a free PDF converter online. You should covert your Microsoft Word document to a PDF file. Not all internet users have Microsoft Word, but all have an Adobe PDF reader.
As for the sale of your book, you have many options. You can create a sales page. Post a picture of your e-book cover, summarize the book, post reviews, state the selling price, and accept PayPal. Market your e-book sales page through article directories, message boards, press releases, and sales. By handling the sale of your own e-book, you generate the largest income. You don’t have to share profits with anyone else. However, if you are limited on time or find the process overwhelming, turn to a third-party marketplace or self-publishing company, such as Lulu.com.
In short, it is easy to profit from a well-written and interesting e-book. Don’t make the mistake of limiting your income potential.
