You just finished your 2nd book release, and you know it has various linkages to your 1st book.
Now that you’re on your 3rd book, you noticed that your first two books haven’t caught up much on sales through Kindle Direct Publishing.
Do you know that selling your current books in a convenient format is more doable through bundling?
The only challenge is understanding how to bundle books on KDP. Is it a hassle for beginners?
Since you can learn how to earn through Kindle Direct Publishing from a Succes Guide, we’re only here to discuss what book bundling is.
We shall also list a few methods for bundling books on KDP.
What Is a Book Bundle?
A book bundle is any collection of books bundled together to create one title. It is usually in a digital file format for consumers to purchase online easily.
Every single purchase of a book bundle entitles a buyer lifetime access to its contents. In most cases, the boxset edition of a collection of pieces is much cheaper than the total cost for individual paperback prices. You’ll be surprised to find your favorite books having the lowest price when bundled with other books.
Nevertheless, there are many popular book series sold in bundles.
Suppose you’ve been trying to sell a series of books. Book bundling is an effective method for reaching new readers, driving sales, and securing a return on investment.
Why is Book Bundling a Threat for Some Authors?
The rise of digital consumerism has shortened the general public’s attention span. It has paved the way for quick knowledge transfers and easy, one-click access to information. Book bundles are an excellent example of easy-to-access information, becoming increasingly popular with the modern reader.
Unless a physical book draws enough attention, it can lose sales for not having a digital version. A boxset series is easier to market than a single book, and a digital book bundle has more ways of reaching its target readers faster.
As technological advances push literary pieces into the digital arena, the rise of eBooks has dominated the literary world. Avid book readers and book buyers have started collecting and purchasing books in bundles. Many even buy paperback books in their electronic forms from eBook distributors.
Two Methods for Book Bundling
Now that you know what a book bundle is, let’s dive right into the different paths you can take to bundle your books.
Method 1: Publishing a Bundle From Existing Published Books
As an author with a Kindle Direct Publishing account, you can assemble a book bundle using your published and recently finished books. In doing so, you make a larger group set available for book funnel integration and public consumption.
A book bundle may have different format files, including a compiled eBook, a Kindle book, an audiobook, and print books.
Bundling existing books may result in an algorithmic change that can make one book acquire more customer attention. In effect, your literary piece can climb book rankings and boost book sales.
Many up-and-coming authors use this method because they can sell their published books for low prices. Once your books gain traction through the bundle, you can sell them separately at a higher price point.
On another note, this method also benefits readers, not just the authors. An eBook reader can buy several low-priced books for a menial amount to explore and discover more great authors.
Method 2: Making a Book Bundle Using Matching Categories
Given the endless possibilities and marketing opportunities of Kindle Direct Publishing, authors may also work with other authors.
For an author to make a decent collection of books, they must first identify the genre or category each book falls on. This way, a writer identifies individual books or author names they can bundle into a multi – author box.
Bundle making is also great for cross-promoting other books. Self-published authors help one another by including similarly themed books from other writers in their book bundles.
Bundles aren’t limited to individual books with similar genres. Every single book available on Kindle is a candidate for a book bundle. Authors can be random and experimental by pairing nonfiction authors with science fiction authors.
This method is commonly used by authors who wish to be noticed by reading audiences and are hoping for higher book sales.
Bundling lesser-known books with more famous books makes it easier for a new book to be advertised, noticed, and appreciated. It also kickstarts a considerable sales opportunity. This technique gives the readers a glimpse of an author’s writing capabilities while adding value to other books.
Following the simple process, it can also work vice-versa. You can bundle an older book with much newer digital books. Doing so makes a broader audience aware of the unappreciated old book, driving book sales up.
How to Bundle Books on KDP: 8 Steps
If you’re starting from scratch, Custom eBook bundling is a simple process through KDP. It is a sure way to make more passive income.
Follow these steps for book bundling:
Step 1. Learn from a trusted KDP Success Guide.
With a Kindle Publishing Succes Guide, self-publishing authors like yourself can have the much-needed leverage against a very competitive playing field.
It can give authors expert tips, training, advice, niche ideas for book publishing, and, of course, book bundling. Such a guide can also provide serious authors with neat book interiors to use for designing and publishing their books.
Step 2. Decide which books to include in the book series bundle.
As the compiling author, choose the books to include in the boxset series. Use different categorization methods so that you can come up with a cohesive bundle.
Here are some examples of preferred book bundle groups:
- Companion niche books
- Old and new books from one author
- Authors that come from the same country
- Authors that come from the same age group
- Authors with the same experiences and author field
- Self-help books
- School books
- Books with games
- Author premium writing bundles
As you can see, there is no limit to which preferred books you can compile into your book bundle. You can choose from these examples or create your own cohesive eBook box-sets.
Step 3. Make a Contract for a Multi Collection.
When creating book bundles with other authors, formulating a contract for all involved parties to agree to is best. The contract will help you avoid untoward and messy situations when making a collection set or an electronic box of books.
Step 4. Collect and prepare files for bundling.
Collect the individual book files or manuscripts for each item you wish to include in the book bundle. Be sure that all the files and manuscripts are of the latest, most updated version.
Also, collate individual book descriptions, and decide on a retail price for the entire collection.
Don’t forget to edit eBook details so that they contribute to the entirety of the book series box set.
Step 5. Format using KDP standards.
Prepare the collection by exploiting the book formatting capabilities of KDP. You may use other formatting platforms other than Amazon or Amazon-affiliated companies or subsidiaries.
Step 6. Choose a book title for your bundle.
The catchphrase for your book bundle, or its title, is its primary marketing tool. Make sure to choose a catchy name for your created bundle. An interesting title plays a vital role in every reader’s decision-making and book selection process.
Step 7. Design a good book cover or box-set cover.
Like any singular book, a book bundle needs a new book cover. The cover format should represent the entire set, be it a collection of print books or digital books.
Some bundlers make a collage of paperback version covers when designing a box-set cover.
The boxset cover format is crucial because it is the first thing a consumer sees. Sixty-five percent of the general population are visual learners, which is why most bundle makers commission a graphic designer for their book cover format and designs.
Step 8. Publish your Kindle book bundle.
Once you complete the preparations, you can start publishing your bundle on Kindle.
Kindle’s publishing platform is pretty straightforward with its bundle options. Once you get into the platform with your Kindle account, the interface is pretty intuitive.
Here are some things to remember when publishing a bundle:
- Make sure ALL author names are included for a multi-author collection.
- Format files by following book formatting standards set by KDP.
- Establish author branding from the start – plan an eBook launch.
- Elevate your taste for book cover designs and look for a good cover designer.
- Book sales are not the only indicator of a good bundle or a good book.
- Do not hesitate to use extra paid marketing tools like Facebook Ads or Amazon Advertising.
- Try not to settle for digital books only or print books only.
Final Word
Once you understand how to bundle books on KDP, you’re off to a good start getting your book collection known.
Putting together an assortment of books to make a box set series or bundling gives an edge to all self-publishing authors. The bundling process includes easy-to-follow steps, from deciding which books to group to publishing the set.
It is a great way for books and authors to get noticed by the right readers.
Authors looking to self-publish their books would surely be happy benefiting from a KDP Succes Guide. Such a guide equips authors with useful tools for navigating the rugged jungle of book-selling.