A lot of writers post on Amazon KDP with great expectations.
After that, they check their dashboard and are looking at 35% royalties.
That hurts.
The majority of authors believe that Amazon simply pays 70%. It does not. You must meet specific rules. Pricing, territories, formatting and file size do count.
The good news? You can fix this.
With this Practical Self-Publishing Checklist, you will be able to secure your 70% royalties on Amazon KDP Ebooks without making expensive errors. You will get to know exactly how you can get your 70% royalties on the Amazon KDP ebooks step by step.
We will simplify it.
The reason why 70 percent Royalties is so important to Self-Publishers.
When you self-publish, the income is in the form of royalties. Even a small percentage will make a difference of thousands of dollars.
35% vs 70% Royalty Option
Here is the basic difference:
35% Royalty
- No strict pricing range
- Fewer requirements
- Lower income per sale
70% Royalty
- Must price between $2.99 and $9.99
- Should comply with delivery and territory regulations.
- Much higher income per sale
But now we will consider a little example.
If you sell your ebook at $4.99:
- At 35%, you earn about $1.75 per sale.
- With 70%, you make approximately $3.49 per sale (excluding the cost of delivery).
If you sell 1,000 copies:
- 35% royalty = about $1,750
- 70% royalty = about $3,490
That is a difference of over $1,700.
Same book. Same effort. Very different results.
Common Misconceptions
Let’s clear up two big myths:
- “Everyone will receive 70 percent automatically.”
False. You must qualify for it.
- “It’s only about pricing.”
Not true. The size of files, territories, and compliance are also important.
And now to the most significant part.
Practical Self-Publishing Checklist (Step-by-Step)
This is your core action plan. Get everything done first, then press publish.
Sell Your Ebook at the Price You Must
To be 70% qualified, your ebook will have to:
- Be priced between $2.99 and $9.99
- Adhere to regional currency regulations.
- Operate within the acceptable price range.
Amazon will pay you 35 percent should you sell your book at 0.99.
Pain Point
Most writers set their prices low so as to entice consumers. They believe that cheaper is more sales.
But they lose 70% eligibility.
Simple Solution
Use this framework:
- New author? Start at $2.99
- Established author? Test $3.99 to $4.99
- Premium content? Try $5.99 to $7.99
Stay inside the range. Test slowly. Track results.
Register with KDP Select (Not Compulsory yet Strategy)
KDP Select does not apply to 70%. But it gives you extra tools.
Benefits include:
- Kindle Unlimited income
- Countdown Deals
- Free promotions
The catch? You should make your ebook a preserve of Amazon.
Pain Point
Authors fear exclusivity. They want wide distribution.
Solution
Ask yourself:
- Are you a good traffic outside Amazon?
- Do you have a broad publishing brand?
Otherwise, KDP Select has the potential to make you grow faster.
It is optional. However, in the case of new authors, it can be quite logical.
Enable All Territories
Your book has to be published in eligible territories in order to claim your 70% Royalties at Amazon KDP Ebooks.
In establishing pricing, select:
- All territories (world rights)
Pain Point
Limited territories are left by many authors. They do this by mistake.
That can limit the eligibility of royalty.
Solution
Before publishing:
- Go to your KDP dashboard
- Open Pricing section
- Affirm that global distribution is chosen.
It takes one minute. But it protects your income.
Make Sure Your Book is Technically Adequate
Appearing is better than seeming.
Amazon expects:
- Clean EPUB formatting
- Clickable table of contents
- No broken links
- Clear metadata
- Proper chapter structure
Pain Point
Bad format may slow down approval. In uncommon situations, it may influence royalty settings.
Basic Format Checklist.
Before uploading:
- Use Kindle Create or clean EPUB.
- Test your book on KDP Previewer.
- Check spacing on mobile.
- Test all links
Keep it simple. Clean formatting creates trust in the readers as well.
Consider Delivery Costs
Here,h many writers fail.
The 70 percent royalty is subtracted by Amazon from the delivery fees.
- The fee depends on file size.
- Expenses are high with large image files.
Pain Point
You expect $3.49 per sale. But you receive less.
Solution
Reduce file size:
- Compress images
- Avoid unnecessary graphics
- Use optimized EPUB files
A smaller file size equals a higher profit per sale.
Authenticate Copyright and Content Compliance
Amazon is a purist in content regulations.
You must:
- Be careful of the unedited content of the domain.
- Follow AI content policies
- Use accurate metadata
- Avoid misleading titles
Pain Point
There are account suspension of some authors. Others lose royalties.
Solution
Before publishing:
- Confirm you own full rights
- Check the guidelines on KDP content.
- Avoid keyword stuffing
Compliance ensures your long-term income.
How to ensure 70% Royalties of Amazon KDP Ebooks – Advanced Hacks.
Visibility is also something that you should maximize once you qualify.
The more sells are made, the more the royalty is received.
A. Categories and Keywords Optimise.
Choose relevant categories.
Use strong keywords in:
- Title
- Subtitle
- Book description
The greater the visibility, the higher the sales.
More sales mean more 70% payouts.
B. Take Advantage of Pre-Orders.
Pre-orders build momentum.
You can:
- Collect early sales
- Build launch buzz
- Increase ranking on opening day.
Momentum matters on Amazon.
C. Leverage KDP Promotions
If enrolled in KDP Select, use:
- Countdown Deals
- Free promotions
Good news:
In case your discounted price does not exceed the range of eligibility, 70% still remains.
It translates to increased profit in promotions.
D. Oversee Pricing of the Various Market Places.
The prices of Amazon are translated into different currencies.
In other cases, your book is pushed out of range by the exchange rates.
Check:
- US price
- UK price
- Canada and Australia
Review every few months.
Remain within the accepted wavelength.
The Pain Points that Self-Publishers Have to Deal With
Let us fix the usual issues in a hurry.
“Why am I Only Getting 35%?”
Cause: Prices that are not between $2.99 and $9.99.
Fix: Verification of territories and price adjustments.
“My royalty appears to be less than 70 percent.”
Reason: There was a deduction of delivery charges.
Solution: Reduce file size and compress images.
“I do not know about withholding of taxes.”
Reasons: Incomplete interview on tax.
Fix: Send in a W-9 (US) or W-8BEN (non-US).
“My Book Is Rejected”
Reason: Format or metadata problems.
Fix: Check the file, then resubmit.
Expertise & Experience Overview
This Practical Self-Publishing Checklist is not theory.
It is built from:
- Experience in real KDP publishing.
- Close examination of Amazon policies.
- Royalties structure analysis.
- Noted errors among indie writers.
- Experiments with pricing in practice.
Small technical mistakes make many authors lose their money.
Even a minor mistake in pricing costs thousands in the long run.
The test and tracking data indicate that the appropriate pricing and data optimization enhance the long-term earnings. This checklist is aimed at practical implementation. Not just rules. When you consider publishing as a business, it works.
Tools to Simplify the Process
You do not have to have costly software.
Here are helpful tools:
- Simple formatting– Kindle Create.
- Atticus or Vellum – Advanced formatting.
- Image compressors -Lessen file size.
- KDP Previewer – Test formatting.
- Royalty calculator applications – Project revenues.
Keep your workflow simple. Attend to quality and compliance.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to get 70 percent royalties. It, however, needs to focus on details.
Follow this Practical Self-Publishing Checklist, and then you can push the button publish.
Remember:
- Remain in the right price bracket.
- Empower global destinations.
- Optimize formatting
- Reduce file size
- Follow compliance rules
Minor errors minimize revenues. Sophisticated changes maximize profit. Amazon rewards you when you manage your ebook as a business asset. This is the step-by-step on how to get your 70 percent Royalties on Amazon KDP Ebooks.
Check your dashboard today.
Make the corrections.
Protect your earnings.
FAQs
Is the 70% royalty extended to other countries as well?
No. The royalty of 70 percent is only applicable in eligible countries. Some regions default to 35%.
Will I be able to use Kindle Create in the formatting process and still be eligible?
Yes. Kindle Create does not influence the eligibility of royalty. You also have to fulfill on pricing and territory.
What will become of me when I charge my ebook at 0.99?
When other requirements are fulfilled, you are automatically reduced to a royalty of 35.
Are the royalty fees, 70 percent, deductible from the delivery fees?
Yes. Amazon charges less for files depending on their size to be delivered.
Is it possible to revise 35 percent to 70 percent when you publish?
Yes. Change pricing and locations anywhere in your dashboard to be qualified.





