My KDP income for July 2023 has dropped significantly. I’d expected this to happen. July to September are slower months in general, compared with the rest of the year.
In the blink of an eye, half of the year has flew past! It’s already August as I’m writing this post. Q4 (October to December – my most favorite time of the year) is approaching. Where has all the time gone to?
I mentioned in my previous post I had hoped to ramp up my publishing efforts this year. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. (Note to self: To ramp it up next year, by hook or by crook.)
Due to Amazon’s printing cost increase, I increased the prices of some of my books by $1. This includes my best-seller. We shall see how it performed after the price increase down below. (Hint: it remains in its place.)
Is Amazon KDP Advertising Worth It?
The answer is… I don’t know.
I did not run any Amazon ads on my books. If I’d run ads, it might help with selling more of my books. Maybe.
However, I’m not sure when I’ll start running. Or if I’ll ever start. I feel that this, in itself, is a completely different ball game, which I’m not sure if I’ll dabble in. You would need to actively monitor your ads and ACOS to make sure you’re not losing money. That’s the whole point, right? To make more money AFTER throwing in money (ads cost)!
At this point, I don’t have the time to learn how to run ads. I’ll explore it in the future. Maybe.. We shall see.
July 2023 Income Report – With No Ads
Now on to the numbers!
As mentioned, my KDP income has dropped significantly this month. This was to be expected as we come into the summer months. It might be that people are going out more often rather than staying indoors, and therefore spending less time online. Spending less time online = spending less money online = a drop in earnings.
Having said that, I am happy with what I get from this passive income source.
Highest day: $38.70
Lowest day: $2.54
My Top-Selling Books
My top-selling book has remained in its place yet again. It brought in 53% of my KDP earnings this month – that’s over half of my royalties! This is a specific type of children’s book that has performed well for me every month since I published it in April 2020.
My second best-seller is a notebook in a certain niche. Thanks to the bulk order on July 24 – the highest earning day. Somebody might have bought them as gifts to give away (thank you!). This book does sell a copy or two every other month since it was published in September 2020. Nothing to write home about.
The third best-seller on the list is a notebook in a certain niche. I’m surprised with this. This doesn’t sell well usually. It does give me the occasional sale every few months. I have a book with a different design in this same niche that sells better.
The fourth best-seller was my second best-selling book last month. It has dropped in ranking. This book is in the children’s niche that sells well for me every month since I published it in January 2021. I’m working on the second version in this niche. Unfortunately, I haven’t been working on it as I’m working on something else first. I’ll talk about this in a bit down below.
Any surprises this month?
The surprise is… My second best-seller has shot up to become my second best-selling book on the list! LOL. Thanks to someone who bought this notebook, with a certain design, in bulk. Just want to reiterate that the design is nothing elaborate, in case you think so. It’s a simple design, yet elegant. Simple sells.
Another surprise (well, I wouldn’t say this is a surprise) is that my books in the back-to-school niche have started to sell this month. It’s that time of the year again, where parents buy books in this niche for their kids. These books will usually start to sell for me during this season every year.
What I Made in July 2022 – With No Ads (In Comparison)
July 2023 was over $100 more than July 2022. Although it wasn’t much more than in 2022, it’s still higher, which I am grateful for.
The month of July is generally one of my lowest months as we come into summer. However, I am happy with what I get from this passive income source. A few hundred dollars can help pay some bills and gas.
Tools I Used – Expenses
PicMonkey – $128.40 (annual subscription); Monthly: $128.40/12 = $10.70
Canva – Free version
Creative Fabrica – $59.16 (annual subscription); Monthly: $59.16/12 = $4.93
Total expenses: $10.70 + $4.93 = $15.63/month
KDP profit in July 2023: $401.13 ($416.76 – $15.63)
What I Am Working On
I am working on and uploading planners/calendars as we’re nearing Q4. It’s a specific type of planner/calendar that sells well for me during this time every year. Q4 (the last 3 months of the year) has always been the highest months. And it’s much more than the rest of the year!
I am excited to see what this Q4 brings!
How did you do in July 2023?
Let me know in the comments below! Stay tuned for my next income report.
