A lot of self-published authors fixate solely on the “Kindle Bubble”; savvy writers understand that a worldwide bestseller is not built on a single platform. If the publishing strategy starts and ends with Amazon, they are effectively ignoring millions of dedicated readers across Canada, Europe, and Asia who are Kobo users.

How important is Kobo?

Let’s be honest, Kobo Publishing Service is not a secondary retailer. It is a gateway to a large international audience that usually favors independent voices over mainstream giants. However, leaping a Word document to a properly formatted Kobo listing requires more than just the upload button. It requires a professional and multi-platform mindset.

Navigating this expansion is where expert book-publishing services prove their worth. These services specialize in ensuring the manuscript is optimized for the certain standards ePUB has and any metadata requirements Kobo’s unique ecosystem has.

Can this blog post help?

This blog post will serve as a brief guide that helps decode the process of self-publishing authors launching their work on the Kobo Writing Life platform. It will also briefly explain how professional services manage all the technical work from reflowable interior design to global pricing tactics.

This allows authors to scale their career upwards and helps them find like-minded ones, irrespective of the device they use for reading.

A little bit about Kobo

For individuals who have taken the jump and desire to become self-publishers, they might already be acquainted with both Kobo and the Kobo eReader. 

But for those who do not know what they are, here is something for them:

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is a Canadian company that specializes primarily in publishing eBooks, audiobooks, and the development of ereaders. The company is indeed committed to its craft and released its own tablet in 2012.

Kobo current employs almost 350 people, and the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Michael Tamblyn.

People might be familiar with other self-publishing sites similar to Kobo. But if we all look at the feedback from those who have trusted Kobo with their content, a lot of self-publishers admire the platform. They say that it allows them to live the dream of having their own writing career and life. More specifically, they have coined it the Kobo writing life.

Why should people publish with Kobo?

The Kobo writing life provides everyone with the chance of living their dream of becoming a self-published author. This is with all due thanks to Kobo allowing the eBook to have a presence on their Kobo store, website, and tablet.

That being said, Walmart stocks Kobo tablets. This provides authors the chance to cater to the needs of more than 275 million customers per week, and gives them the chance to interact with the eBook’s content.

There is another thing to note. Other publishing websites have a clause restricting authors from publishing elsewhere. Kobo allows authors to have their finished book published with them and other publishers (hence no exclusivity). The platform supports self-publishing authors and gives them the chance to enter the global market.

The best highlights of Kobo

One of the biggest highlights of Kobo self publishing is that when authors choose to self-publish their work on the platform, they do not have to pay any fees. It is free, and for this very reason, Kobo carries a lot of weight in the publishing world.

An additional feature is promotional pricing. It is similar to Facebook Ads. This allows more readers to see the content an author has written.

Kobo Plus – what is it?

The platform also offers Kobo Plus, an eBook subscription service that is similar to the well-known Kindle Unlimited. Kobo even provides the chance for authors to enroll their eBooks in this service.

This is only the beginning of the vast array of new and free services that Kobo Inc. currently offers. It is in the process of making it even better. Not only has it received the right amount of traction and support, but it is also expected to be introduced soon.

How do I publish on Kobo​ Publishing Service?

Let us suppose an author has written their own book. Now they are thinking about generating sales and are also ready to publish their eBook. The platform in use is Rakuten Kobo Inc., to make their publishing dreams come true. Here are the steps that can help authors become well-known self-publishing authors on Kobo Publishing Service:

Writing a worthwhile book

Here, authors write worthwhile books and have indeed written the best possible eBook on Kobo. This process involves them using professional book editing and proofreading services to ensure it is the best one they have written.

Signing up for Kobo Writing Life

Signing into the Kobo Writing Life will give authors access to a global market of readers loving audiobooks and eBooks. Authors can be able to use the platform to create their own content to upload to Kobo. They do not necessarily need to employ the expertise of another specialist approved by the platform.

Authors also receive access to OverDrive, which helps authors widen their market so they can sell to libraries across the world. 

Giving the eBook context via the Kobo Author Dashboard

This is the part where the authors upload each thing pertaining to their book using the prompts that the Kobo website gave them. The platform will ask them to input all the author information, upload the book cover in either JPEG or PNG format, provide the book’s synopsis, and even verify if the author is a first-time author or not.

In terms of adding the e-ISBN or primary print ISBN, authors can either choose to buy one or publish their eBook without one.

Adding the eBook’s content

Authors can submit their manuscripts for review and validation. The Kobo Publishing Service team will identify necessary changes to ensure their eBook meets the standards for approval and sale. 

Authors must ensure their file is converted to Kobo’s recommended EPUB format, and this conversion is completely free. This means no author incurs any extra cost for the professional launch.

Rights and distribution processes in the Kobo Press

Now, authors must decide whether or not they should enable Digital Rights Management (DRM). Kobo Publishing Service recommends activating it to prevent unauthorized sharing. Then they must select their distribution rights. Choosing global availability helps raise the maximum sales potential, especially for pre-orders.

Opting into Kobo Plus is recommended, too. It is a subscription service that boosts an eBook’s discoverability and visibility. It helps it reach a larger audience and creates the momentum to help authors grow their reputation. Professional management of these settings ensures the book is accessible and protected.

Setting the price

Authors can maximize revenue by pricing their books in a way that reflects their effort and remains competitive. For new authors, the primary goal is building an audience. Whereas the high prices may seem partially attractive, as overpricing a short eBook can deter prospective readers.

Authors should consider starting with a lower introductory price to drive initial sales upwards and boost their visibility within the Kobo ecosystem. Once their popularity has reached the needed level and they’ve established a loyal following, they can tactfully raise prices to maximize profits whilst maintaining their momentum.

Now is the time to publish

Whether or not authors are using Kobo Publishing Service to share their content for free with the rest of the world, or whether they are trying to create a profession as an author by generating sales, they should realize that they have reached a worthwhile point.

They can now publish their own eBook. That’s right! They can publish it, and Kobo users will be able to interact with the author’s content.

Conclusion

The Kobo Publishing Service is indeed a worthwhile platform. With a wider global reach and a platform that has minimal costs, the platform is certainly a strong competitor in the face of Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). The Kobo tablet is also available in Walmart and other retailers across the world. Hence, it is a worthwhile platform.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Kobo better for “Going Wide”? 

A: Yes. While Amazon encourages exclusivity via KDP Select, Kobo allows you to reach a massive international audience across 190 countries, making it the cornerstone of a “wide” publishing strategy.

Q: What is Kobo Plus? 

A: It is a subscription service (similar to Netflix) where readers pay a monthly fee. Opting in can significantly increase your discoverability and provide a steady stream of reading-time royalties.

Q: Do I need a specific file type? 

A: Kobo prefers EPUB3. Professional services ensure your formatting is reflowable and passes Kobo’s validation checks.

Q: What percentage of royalties does Kobo pay authors?

A: Kobo pays authors 70% royalties for eBooks priced at $2.99 or more, and around 45% for books priced below that threshold. Library sales and subscription programs have different rates.

Q: How does Kobo’s pricing compare to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing?

A: Kobo is known to provide better royalty structures. For instance, it offers 70% on royalties for books priced at $2.99 with no download fees. Amazon KDP offers 70% only if books are priced between $2.99 and $9.99.