Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing(KDP) is a publishing platform that brings Authors two royalty structures. One of them is 35% royalty, and the other is 70% royalty. However, the difference between them is not just the percentage ratio, but also the features, and the amount of earning they bring for authors. As an author, if you make the right choice, you not only maximize your profit, but you also earn value for your published material whether it is a book, an eBook, or any other literature masterpiece on Amazon. But how can you make the right choice, or what are the pros and cons of these two Amazon KDP Royalties?

So, to give you a brief introduction to these royalties, this article highlights the key aspects of 35% and 70% KDP Royalties along with their eligibility requirements and some other insights. To make the right choice, keep reading.

70% Royalty Option

It is a top choice and one of the most preferred choices of authors and for all the right reasons. However, it comes with some perks, and cons that you must know before you randomly choose them without getting into details. But before that, it is essential to have a basic understanding of the eligibility criteria upon which you can choose as an author for your publishing journey on Amazon.

Eligibility Criteria 

Here are some of the key requirements for 70% Royalty to qualify for it

• Ensure a price range between $2.99 and $9.99
• Confirm presence in Eligible Countries including US, Canada, UK, Australia, and some others.
• Get yourself enrolled in KDP Select for exclusive distribution via Amazon
• Choose a delivery fee based on the file size for the right deduction of royalties for authors

Pros of 70% Royalty

• Higher Earnings Per Sale: With the help of this KDP royalty, authors earn more profit on each sale with a ratio of 70% of the list price. More profit margin for authors compared to other royalty options.
• Competitive Pricing Strategy: There is a standard pricing range for books between $2.99 to $9.99, making it highly affordable. This pricing percentage uplifts sales potential and improves the profit graph.
• Promotional Flexibility: The 70% KDP royalty gives authors the flexibility, and perk to avail Kindle Countdown deals, and free book promotions to make the most out of this publishing choice.
• Better for eBooks with Moderate File Sizes: The 70% royalty structure promotes small and moderate file sizes, as they increase the profit and sale margin. So, eBooks are a perfect publishing choice considering their moderate file size.

Cons of the 70% Royalty

• Pricing Limitations: The pricing qualification criteria for 70% royalty is strict as something below $2.99 or above $9.99 fails to get selected. The restrictions are clear, and they create clear boundaries for authors.
• Implies Delivery Fee: For eBooks larger than standard size, or books with heavy text are not sold under the same delivery fee. They incur high delivery costs, eventually decreasing the overall profit.
• Territorial Restrictions: The 70% royalty rate for KDP publishing comes with geographical restrictions where certain countries or regions are not included in the eligibility criteria. In this case, limited earning is observed in particular regions.
• Exclusive Enrollment in KDP Select: To avail of promotional benefits or exclusive discounts, it is essential to have Kindle enrollment in KDP Select. However, if you don’t opt to get it you are out of the race for avail Kindle Unlimited discounts and offers.

35% Royalty Option

The 35% royalty option is a flexible publishing choice, but what makes it different is its earnings. It offers comparatively lower profit margins along with sales. But before you make a random conclusion, understand its eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Criteria for 35% Royalty

• Price your book between $0.99 to $200 without thinking about any price restrictions.
• Sell in a wide range of territories where Amazon Sells ebooks.
• Sell without thinking about the delivery fee as they are not deducted from royalties.

Pros of 35% Royalty 

• Pricing Flexibility: Ultimate pricing freedom for authors to choose any price from $0.99 and $200 without having a second thought.
• No Delivery Charges: Sell any file size, preferably large file sizes booked without any royalty deductions or costly delivery charges. 
• Worldwide Shipping Availability: 35% royalty is available for delivery across the world. You can sell them in all Amazon markets without facing any regional restrictions or boundaries.
• No KDP Select Demand: Selling flexibility without full-filling the KDP select demand criteria. Authors can distribute their books on multiple platforms including Google Play, Apple Books, Kobo, and many more.

Cons of 35% Royalty

• Lower earnings per sale: Authors who choose 35% royalty earn less as compared to the 70% Royalty option. The selling price is comparatively less per sale, adding up to a limited sale profit.
• Lower Pricing Range: The competitive market pricing for 30 royalties is lower, as they price outside the range of $2.99-$9.99.
• No KDP Promotional Access: The 35% Royalty option lacks enrollment in KDP Select, and therefore they are not allowed to access or enjoy Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Countdown deals. 

Key Takeaways

The 70% and 35% Royalty comes with its pros and cons for authors. They have different eligibility criteria for book distribution, selling prices, and more. And once you fulfill the eligibility criteria, you get the opportunity to enjoy the perks. If you choose 70% royalty, the price range for your book selling is $2.99-$9.99 and there are some regional restrictions with file size criteria. On the other hand, if you choose 35% royalty, the criteria are simple as it doesn’t require KDP selection or any price limitations. So, before you choose any of them go through their pros and cons to make the right choice at the right time.