Selling eBooks online is one of the simplest and most profitable digital business models today. I’ve personally made over $1.75 million selling simple eBooks, and I firmly believe this is one of the best business models to start right now. With AI tools making content creation easier than ever, the process of creating, publishing, and selling eBooks can be streamlined to help you generate significant income.
In fact, I’ve helped over 1,400 students build successful eBook businesses, and in this guide, I’m going to break down exactly how you can follow this strategy to generate $10,000 per month or more. This isn’t just theory – I’ve done it myself, and I continue to do it today. Unlike many online business gurus, I made my first million selling eBooks – not from teaching people how to do it.
Here’s the proven, four-step process to create and sell eBooks online for $10,000+ per month:
Research Profitable TopicsCreate the BookUpload and Publish the eBookMarket and Scale to Increase Sales
Let’s dive into each step.
Step 1: Research Profitable Topics
Brainstorming Ideas:
The first step to creating a successful eBook is to brainstorm potential topics. Take out a notebook or open a Google Doc and brain dump every topic that comes to mind. This can include hobbies, passions, skills, personal experiences, or interests. Do you play an instrument? Are you into fitness, personal finance, or productivity? Anything can work.
For example, I have a friend who makes over $50,000 a month selling eBooks that teach people how to play guitar.
To get more ideas, use AI tools like ChatGPT. Ask simple prompts such as:
“I want to create an eBook to sell. Please give me 50 topic ideas.”
In seconds, you’ll have a list of topics ranging from self-help, mindfulness, productivity, and personal development to niche subjects like minimalism or decluttering.
Don’t Skip Validation:
Most people make the mistake of writing about what they’re passionate about without checking if there’s demand. Writing an eBook takes effort – don’t waste time on a book no one will buy.
Instead, validate your idea first.
How to Validate Topics:
Amazon Research: Go to Amazon and switch to the “Books” category. Type in your topic. For example, if I’m interested in decluttering, I’ll search for “decluttering” books. Look for Bestsellers Rank (BSR): Download the DS Amazon Quick View Chrome extension. This tool will show you the BSR of books directly on the Amazon search page. Key Metric: Look for books with a BSR under 80,000. The lower the BSR, the more sales the book is making. Books ranked under 80,000 typically generate at least $500 per month. Books with a BSR under 20,000 are making thousands.
If you find multiple books with a BSR below 80,000 in your chosen niche, you know the market is profitable. If not, move to another topic.
Pro Tip: If you’re willing to invest, the BookBeam tool provides deeper insights, including estimated daily earnings. This can help you predict exactly how much your book could earn.
Step 2: Create the Book
Once you’ve validated your topic, it’s time to create the book. You have two options:
Write it YourselfHire a Ghostwriter
Option 1: Writing It Yourself
If you have time but little money to invest, write the book yourself. Start by brain-dumping all your knowledge into a document.
Structure Your Book Like This:
Introduction – Set expectations and explain the benefits. Main Chapters – Break down the solution step by step. Conclusion – Summarize and motivate the reader to take action.
AI-Assisted Outlines:
If you struggle with structuring your book, ask ChatGPT for help. Use prompts like:
“I’m writing a book on decluttering. Please create a detailed outline that takes readers from stressed and disorganized to clutter-free in 30 days.”
ChatGPT will generate a comprehensive chapter-by-chapter breakdown. Use this as a framework and add your expertise.
Focus on Solving Problems:
Remember, people buy non-fiction books to solve problems. Every chapter should focus on delivering results. Avoid fluff. For example, if you’re writing a keto diet book, skip the history of the diet – readers want actionable tips.
Option 2: Hire a Ghostwriter
If time is limited, hire a ghostwriter. This is more affordable than you think, with prices starting at $300 to $1,000 for high-quality, full-length eBooks. Check platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Reedsy.
Step 3: Upload and Publish Your eBook
Where to Publish:
Forget about selling on your personal website or platforms like Gumroad. The best place to publish and sell your eBook is Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Amazon controls over 70% of the book market. Millions of people visit Amazon every day specifically to buy books. You don’t need to build a website or drive traffic – Amazon brings the customers to you.
Why Not Gumroad or Etsy?
Platforms like Gumroad require you to market your book, build a site, and handle customer service. On Amazon, everything is automated.
How to Upload Your eBook to KDP:
Go to kdp.amazon.com and create an account. Upload your book manuscript (Word or PDF). Design a cover – Canva is a great free tool, or hire a designer for $10 to $20 on Fiverr. Set your price (typically between $2.99 and $9.99 for maximum royalty rates).
Step 4: Market and Scale to $10,000/mo
Amazon will generate organic sales, but initial marketing boosts visibility.
Free Marketing (Social Media):
Use TikTok and Instagram. BookTok and Bookstagram communities thrive here. Film simple videos flipping through your book or reading excerpts. Viral videos can lead to millions of views and thousands of sales.
Paid Marketing (Amazon Ads):
Amazon ads are the best investment. For as little as $3/day, you can target people searching for books similar to yours. Increase ad spend as you generate sales.
Scaling to $10,000+/mo
Publish more books in different niches. Create paperback, audiobook, and translated versions. Bundle books into multi-book sets. Build a brand around your books and expand into courses or coaching.
By consistently publishing profitable books and utilizing Amazon’s massive audience, you can build a sustainable, passive income stream that generates over $10,000 per month.
Once you’ve published your first book and started seeing sales, the key to scaling lies in diversification and multiplication. One eBook can bring in $500 to $1,000 per month, but to reach $10,000 per month, you need to multiply your income streams.
Here’s how to scale your eBook business systematically:
1. Publish More Books (Consistency Wins)
The fastest way to grow your income is to publish more eBooks in profitable niches. Each eBook is a potential income stream, and publishing multiple books expands your earning potential exponentially.
Tips for Publishing More Books:
Stick to Proven Niches: Use the validation process from Step 1 to research more high-demand topics. Niche Down: If one niche works, create more books in related subtopics. For example, if your decluttering book is selling, follow it up with books on minimalism, organizing specific rooms, or digital decluttering. Series and Sequels: Create follow-up books that build on your initial book. Readers who loved the first book are more likely to buy the next.
👉 Example: A book on intermittent fasting can be followed by books on keto fasting, meal plans, or fasting for women.
2. Expand to Other Formats
Don't limit yourself to just eBooks. The same content can be repurposed into multiple formats, allowing you to sell the same book to different audiences. This can easily double or triple your earnings from a single manuscript.
Key Formats to Consider:
Paperback: Amazon KDP allows you to publish paperbacks alongside eBooks. Paperbacks often generate higher royalties, sometimes selling for $14.99 to $19.99. Hardcover: For certain niches, like journals or high-value content, offering a hardcover edition adds a premium option. Audiobook: The audiobook market is booming. Convert your book into audio using services like ACX (Amazon’s Audiobook platform). You can narrate it yourself or hire a professional narrator. Audiobooks frequently outsell eBooks and paperbacks in niches like self-help, fitness, and business. Translations: Translate your books into Spanish, French, German, or other high-demand languages. Use platforms like Babelcube or Fiverr to find affordable translators.
👉 Pro Tip: Each format creates a new product listing on Amazon, multiplying your exposure and allowing you to dominate more real estate on search pages.
3. Bundle Your Books
If you publish multiple books in the same niche, bundle them into multi-book box sets or 2-in-1 combo books. This adds value for the reader and allows you to charge a higher price.
👉 Example:
Individual eBooks: $9.99 each 3-Book Box Set: $24.99 (Increases average cart value)
Bundling lets you upsell and attracts readers looking for comprehensive solutions.
4. Create Lead Magnets and Free Content
Build an audience by offering free resources that complement your books. This can be a free PDF, checklist, or mini eBook that introduces readers to your work. At the end of the freebie, promote your paid books.
Email List Building: Offer a free lead magnet in exchange for an email address. Promote your books directly to this list during launches. Webinars and Workshops: Host free or low-cost webinars teaching a specific concept from your book and use them to upsell the full book.
5. Leverage Organic Traffic (Amazon SEO)
Amazon functions like a search engine for products. By optimizing your book listing, you can increase its visibility organically.
Key Optimization Areas:
Keywords: Use tools like Publisher Rocket to find high-traffic keywords to include in your title, subtitle, and description. Book Description: Write a compelling book description that sells the benefits. Use bullet points and break up the text to improve readability. Categories: Choose the right categories. Aim for low-competition, high-demand categories to give your book a better chance of ranking.
👉 Pro Tip: Use three keywords in your title/subtitle and load up your backend keywords (Amazon allows seven).
6. Run Amazon Ads (Sponsored Listings)
Amazon’s ad platform allows you to place your book at the top of search results, increasing visibility and driving sales. Even a small budget of $3 to $5 per day can yield significant results.
How to Get Started:
Go to your KDP dashboard and click on “Marketing.” Create a Sponsored Products ad for your book. Target relevant keywords that readers are actively searching for. Start with a low daily budget and scale as you see ROI.
7. Build an Author Brand
As you publish more books, position yourself as an authority in your niche. Building a brand around your name or pseudonym enhances credibility and encourages repeat purchases.
Ways to Build an Author Brand:
Website & Blog: Create a simple author website showcasing your books and blog about related topics. Social Media Presence: Engage with your audience on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Share book updates, reviews, and behind-the-scenes content. Podcast or YouTube Channel: Use long-form content to build trust and promote your books naturally.
8. Sell Your Portfolio (Cash Out Big)
Once you’ve built a profitable portfolio of books, you can sell your entire eBook business for a significant cash payout.
I sold one of my Amazon KDP accounts for $820,000. Many investors are eager to buy passive income businesses, and eBook portfolios are highly attractive.
Where to Sell Your eBook Business:
Empire FlippersFlippaQuiet Light Brokerage
If you prefer steady passive income, keep the portfolio and continue collecting royalties every month.
Build a 6-Figure eBook Business
Building a profitable eBook business is one of the easiest ways to create passive income. With the right niche, a few simple books, and the power of Amazon KDP, you can scale to $10,000 per month (or more) relatively quickly.
The key is consistent publishing, smart marketing, and leveraging Amazon’s audience. Don’t stop at one book – keep publishing, expand to multiple formats, and grow your brand.
If you’re serious about starting, I highly recommend checking out my Free 7-Day Book Challenge to guide you step-by-step through creating and publishing your first book. Take advantage of it while it’s still free!
Here’s to your success – happy publishing!
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