How to Sell Books on Amazon: A Guide for Beginners

Amazon provides a platform that enables you to sell all kinds of book formats, including paperbacks, hardcovers, ebooks, and everything in between. So, learning how to sell books on Amazon is an excellent way to make money on the platform.

Amazon is the biggest online store in the world and has a big piece of the e-commerce market worldwide. It is also one of the most popular places to buy and sell books, with over 200 million Prime members.

If you want to start a business or make a little extra money, selling books on Amazon can be a good side job. When it's done right, that is.

If you intend to sell books on Amazon, here's a simple guide to help you. This article highlights the step-by-step guide on how to sell books on Amazon.

If you're ready to start selling books on Amazon, set aside 1 hour and 57 minutes per day to work on your side hustle.

Why Is it Easy To Sell Books on Amazon??

According to The Hustle, building a successful side business takes an average of 11 hours per week. This equates to about 2 hours per day (but ideally more).

If you're serious about making it work, mark these times on your calendar. Then, to take the organization to the next level, consider developing a solid project plan (opens in a new tab) that informs actionability.

Selling on Amazon is no exception, but don't worry. Starting is simpler than you think.

Good Read: How to Start an Ecommerce Business in 9 Steps

Why Sell Books on Amazon?

'Why sell on Amazon' is a good question because there are top sites to sell your books, even for a higher price. First, however, you might wonder why Amazon? And, if other platforms exist, what distinguishes Amazon from the rest?

The answer is straightforward. If you want to sell your books online, Amazon is the best place to look because it is the largest. The following facts and figures support our point even more:

- Amazon owns 50% of all books for sale. So every year, it takes a larger slice of the book-selling pie.

- USPS, the popular media mail option among booksellers, handles 62% of Amazon deliveries.

- 86% of Amazon sellers are profitable, and 67% of new sellers report making much money in their first year on Amazon.

With these facts in mind, the best way to answer the question "why Amazon" is to consider "do I have the necessary resources to create a profit-driven and viable online store?"

Is Selling Books on Amazon Profitable?

Before we begin, you probably wonder if making money selling books is possible. Yes, it is a resounding yes.

The internet is full of stories about people who sell books on the side for extra money or even as a full-time job.

This surge in book-selling side hustle is because profit margins can be extremely high. For example, a book can be purchased for a few dollars and sold for ten times that amount or more.

That is not to say that every book is profitable. You'll need to research, just like you would for any other product, to find the books in high demand.

However, following the tips and strategies in this guide, you can successfully build a business selling books.

And, if you're going to sell books, Amazon is the place to do it. The company controls over half of the print book market and three-quarters of the ebook market, and new Prime members sign up daily. So it's obvious that when most people want books these days, they go to Amazon.

How Do I Find the Most Profitable Amazon Books?

Not every book is worthy of being listed on Amazon. You want to invest your time and money in books that will be profitable to sell. Some methods for researching book ideas include:

●    Research Amazon Best Sellers

Begin by perusing the Amazon Best Sellers in Books list. The most popular books based on sales are displayed there. The list is updated every hour. Take note of the book titles and genres that dominate the list.

This gives you an idea of popular niches. Then, delve deeper into the niches you are interested in or have access to.

Determine the best-selling titles in each book category. The sales rank can help you determine which book titles are popular.

Ideally, you should select book titles in high demand but with a limited supply.

●    Use Book Scanner Apps

Using book scanner apps is another good way to find good books. Scan a book's barcode or enter its ISBN; the app will provide pricing and sales information.

The free Amazon Seller App includes a product-scanning feature that can assist you in locating the best books to sell. After scanning a book, you will receive historical Amazon product sales data and profit estimates.

●    Make Use of Amazon Free Product Research Tool

Amazon's free Product Research tool can assist you in locating the ideal book to sell. Product Research is simple to use, with an intuitive interface that makes the research process straightforward, even for inexperienced researchers. In addition, the tool contains numerous explanatory tips.

Type of Books that Sell Well on Amazon

Not every book genre is profitable! More profitable categories include:

- Books that are rare and collectible

- First-edition books and books signed by authors are extremely valuable.

Because such books are in short supply and high demand, you can charge more. You might come across these books at thrift stores or yard sales.

●   Comic Books

Comic books are a small but popular book category on Amazon. First-edition comic books and collectible issues can fetch a high price.

●   Hardcover vs. Softcover Books

Hardcover books are more expensive than paperback editions. However, special editions with rare or artistic cover designs can be priced higher.

●   Textbooks

Textbooks are typically expensive and in high demand, particularly during the fall and spring seasons. As a result, they are one of the most profitable types of Amazon books to sell.

●   Avoid books for children, cookbooks, and popular books.

On Amazon, these book categories perform poorly. Children's books are inexpensive, so you won't be able to make a decent profit from them. Because there is a large supply of popular books, it is a competitive category with low margins.

●   Choose the Right Genre

Keep an eye out for the best-selling book genres. Take a look at the Amazon Best Sellers list. Which book genres are most popular? Aim to sell niche genre books that are in high demand but in short supply.

●   Use Your Phone's Barcode Scanner

Apps that scan barcodes are game changers. They assist you in quickly selecting profitable books.

Begin by installing the Amazon Seller app on your smartphone. It has a barcode scanner built in. You can also manage your seller account from the same location.

How Much Does it Cost To Sell Books on Amazon?

One of the best aspects of this type of business is that it does not have to be expensive. So if you don't have a large budget, you can begin with a few books that cost as little as a dollar or two each.

If you have more money to spend, you can buy a larger number of books, to begin with. After that, it's entirely up to you. Also, there are other fast ways to sell your books online for cash you can consider.

Your Amazon account fee is the only other cost to consider. If you choose a Professional Seller account, you will pay $39.99 per month, which is not much compared to many other businesses.

Selling Books On Amazon: New vs. Used

The first question you must answer is whether you want to sell new or used books. Here's what you should know:

New Books:

These will be in higher demand because most people prefer to buy new books.

Obtaining brand-new books, on the other hand, can be difficult. First, you'll need to buy from wholesalers, distributors, and publishers, which means you'll need to buy in bulk.

Used Books:

Because used books are so inexpensive, most independent sellers sell them. They are widely available online and in your local area.

While they aren't as popular as new books, you can still make much money selling used copies if you find some good deals.

Selling used books will be much easier for the vast majority of sellers. You'll also face less competition because Amazon sells the majority of new books that come out.

However, selling new books may be worthwhile if you have the financial resources because your sales margins will usually be higher.

How To Sell Your Books On Amazon (A Step-by-step Guide)

Library. Background from white bookshelves with books and textbooks. Learning and education concept. 3d illustration

So, how do you sell books on Amazon? Know that books are one of the best items to resell for profit. So, you can sell anything from collectibles to classics, non-fiction, comic books, and textbooks.

A seller can pick whichever genre, but it is important to consider which book can boost sales and what has a high number of average purchases.

New books are more demanded than old ones since people usually prefer buying brand-new ones. But new books are also more cumbersome to obtain.

Preparing yourself to buy large quantities from publishers, wholesalers, and distributors would be best.

For bulk purchases, you might want to consider the best lending platforms. But first, you can complete a secure online loan application to get money quickly there.

Then, you get matched up with vetted lenders and get your loan application approved within 24-48 hours.

Step 1: Decide on the Type of Book to Sell

Before deciding to sell books on Amazon, you must research the book type you want to sell.

Amazon lists books in different categories. The category you select for your book will determine the number of books you sell. Some book categories are popular and competitive, while the rest are Profitable. Textbooks is a good category, and you can check websites to buy college textbooks and note the types that sells fast.

In addition, Amazon allows for selling used books on its platform. You can also decide to self-publish your book.

If you're self-publishing on Amazon, you'll have to provide a cover photo of your book, and you'll have to understand the terms and conditions for self-publishing on Amazon.

Step 2: Makes Plans For Shipping

As a beginner selling on Amazon, you should consider using FBM (Fulfilment by Merchant) as your shipping option. You can even check other e-commerce fulfillment services.

This option is the most reliable and straightforward shipping option for beginners. This option allows you to be in charge of the packaging and shipping of all your order. You'll also be responsible for customer service tasks.

As a beginner with a modest inventory and small customer base, this shipping method is the best and most inexpensive.

You can decide to outsource the shipping tasks, which will cause unnecessary expenses.

Step 3: Create an Amazon Seller Account

Once you've made shipping plans, the next step is to create an Amazon Sellers' Central Account.

The fees associated with selling on Amazon are determined by the type of seller account you select.

Amazon Seller Plans

If you create an Individual Seller account, no monthly fees are attached. However, you will be required to pay $0.99 per item sold and some additional selling charges.

A professional seller account, on the other hand, requires a $39.99 monthly subscription fee.

This is in addition to any other selling fees you may incur if you use Amazon FBA for fulfillment. However, the benefits of having a professional seller account are numerous.

With the professional seller account, you can use third-party selling tools, APIs, advanced reporting, and even access restricted selling categories.

If you intend to start small and sell no more than 40 units per month, the individual seller account is the way to go. However, a professional account is better if you have a large inventory and need more features.

Furthermore, as your business grows, you can always upgrade to a professional seller account.

This type of seller account is ideal for those who'll sell less than 40 books each month. Hence it's suitable for beginners.

Step 4: List Your Books on Amazon

The next step is to put your books on Amazon.

Here is how to put a book up for sale on Amazon.

Go to your Seller Central account on Amazon. To make a new listing, go to the Inventory tab and click "Add a Product."

Add the necessary information and content, such as photos and a product description. Don't leave out the price.

Click the "Match Low Price" button to see how Amazon's system thinks the book should be priced based on what it might find in the market.

Choose the price you want to sell the book for, enter the total number of copies (the default is one), and choose the book's condition.

Be honest about the book's condition so customers don't complain, which could hurt your business.

SKU: You can make your SKU, preferably something memorable. If not, Amazon will generate one for you.

Book Price: Set your price low to increase your chances of winning the Buy Box. They have a handy button that allows you to match the lowest price.

Book Quantity: They set the default quantity to 1 unit. Put in the total number if you sell more than one book copy.

Book Condition: Your book can be 'New,' 'Used - Like New,' 'Used - Very Good,' 'Used - Good,' or 'Used - Acceptable,' according to Amazon's guidelines. Choose the most appropriate condition.

Fulfillment Channel: As previously stated, you can use FBA or FBM.

Step 5: Get Started

Once you've set up an Amazon seller's account and have a few books in your inventory, it's time to start making.

Creating product pages for your books on Amazon takes a few minutes. First, you must input the ISBN of a book in a section that Amazon will specify.

The information on your product listing determines how high your product ranks in Amazon search results.

Step 6: Market Your Product To Increase Your Revenue

Listing your books on Amazon won't make you sell your books. However, Amazon is home to millions of buyers and sellers, which makes it a competitive marketplace.

To make money on Amazon, you need to market your product. Amazon's Seller Central Forum provides a platform that allows you to ask anything about promoting your products.

It also provides information on useful information that's related to the product you sell.

This forum also provides information on product pricing, FBA costs, BSR, and any other information you need.

Step 7: Keep an eye on sales and adjust prices as necessary.

You can't just sit around now that you've listed your first few books for sale.

Knowing how to start selling books on Amazon isn't enough; you must also track your sales and devise a pricing strategy.

If your books aren't selling quickly, something must prevent customers from purchasing them. The majority of the time, it is the cost. So you'll need to lower the prices of your books that aren't selling well.

Remember that the lower your prices are, the more likely you are to win the coveted buy box. The "buy box" is an Amazon feature that automatically selects your product when customers click the "buy" button.

You must also consider the fact that you must make a profit. Therefore, pricing your book too low is not advised because you may end up paying more for your product, so adjust your price to a point where you are still making a profit whenever you make a sale.

Even if it is not excessive, as long as your book sells well, you will be able to make up for the lost profit.

Step 8: Analyze Your Costs and Profits

Once your book listings are live, you must track sales to determine which books are successful and which are not. Jungle Scout Sales Analytics or Helium 10 Profits can be used to track your sales.

Remember that a lower price increases your chances of winning the buy box. However, keep your margins in mind and avoid pricing your books too low. Make certain that you will still make a profit when the book sells.

Step 9: Consider Reviews

Customer service is a little easier with books than with other products. You don't have to be concerned about reviews because you didn't write the books.

However, you should be concerned with Amazon reviews regarding the quality of your books.

It would be best if you accurately described the book's condition. You will most likely receive negative feedback if you indicate a better condition than the actual one.

The Best Places to Find Used Books To Sell On Amazon

Don't worry if you don't have enough money to buy new books. There are numerous places to buy used books that can be resold for a profit on Amazon:

Book Store Sales: Keep an eye out for sales at your local bookstores. They may be trying to unload inventory, allowing you to get valuable books for a low price. You can also use the Book Sale Finder to locate sales across the United States.

Online Arbitrage

You can buy books online for a low cost and resell them on Amazon for a profit, called online arbitrage, and it is entirely legal.

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