Where to Sell eBooks for Free: 8 Platforms to Get Started

The world of self-publishing PDF eBooks has exploded, making it easier than ever to share your knowledge and stories with a huge market. But with so many eBook-selling platforms available, it can be overwhelming trying to pick the best place for your work. This guide will walk you through the top 8 platforms where you can sell eBooks online without paying any upfront fees, empowering you to generate recurring income from your publishing without a big investment.

Top 8 Places To Sell eBooks Online For Free

Free platforms offer a fantastic opportunity to dive into the world of making money selling eBooks. They provide user-friendly interfaces, multiple distribution options, and valuable marketing tools to help you reach a wide audience and achieve your publishing goals. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, these platforms make it easy to share your work with the world and potentially earn a significant income from your eBooks.

1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing reigns supreme in the world of eBook publishing platforms. With Amazon's Kindle Store boasting millions of active users, KDP provides unparalleled access to a massive audience of readers. Publishing your eBook on Amazon KDP gives you a direct line to this vast customer base, significantly increasing your book's visibility and sales potential.

Royalties and Profitability

KDP offers a competitive royalty structure with two options: 35% and 70%. While the 70% royalty option is generally more lucrative, allowing you to earn a greater share of your eBook sales, it comes with certain restrictions on pricing and availability. It's essential to carefully consider both options and choose the one that best aligns with your publishing goals.

35% Royalty Option:

• You earn 35% of the list price for each eBook sold.
• This option is available for all books, regardless of price or distribution options.
• It's a good choice if you want to set a higher price for your eBook or distribute it through other channels.

70% Royalty Option:

• You earn 70% of the list price for each eBook sold, minus delivery costs.
• Your eBook must meet certain criteria, such as:some text
  • Priced between $2.99 and $9.99
  • Enrolled in KDP Select (exclusive to Amazon)
• This option is typically more lucrative, allowing you to earn a bigger share of your eBook sales.

Why KDP is Our Recommended Choice

• Massive Reach: Tap into the immense power of Amazon's Kindle Store, the leading eBook marketplace, and connect with millions of potential readers worldwide.
• User-Friendly Interface: KDP's intuitive platform simplifies the publishing process, making it easy for first-time publishers to upload, format, and publish their eBooks.
• Powerful Marketing Tools: Leverage KDP's built-in marketing tools to promote your eBook effectively, including running price promotions and utilizing Amazon Advertising to reach a wider audience.
• Kindle Unlimited: Enroll your eBook in Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service that grants readers access to a vast library of books, including yours. This can significantly boost your book's visibility and potentially generate higher royalties.

KDP's combination of massive reach, ease of use, marketing capabilities, and Kindle Unlimited makes it a compelling choice for publishers seeking to maximize their eBook's success. There's a reason this platform remains #1 among other KDP alternatives.

Need Expert Support?

Want to take your eBook-selling journey to the next level? Consider our comprehensive AIA course designed to help you plan, create, and launch a thriving Kindle Publishing Business. This course covers everything from developing a millionaire mindset to mastering the art of the book launch. You'll learn how to choose a profitable topic, create and format your book, create a compelling cover, and leverage marketing tools to promote eBooks effectively. We also explore creating audiobooks, multiplying income streams, and providing access to valuable resources and recordings. Get inspired by student success stories and attend a free webinar to learn more!

Examples of Student Success Stories

Publishing with Amazon KDP earns recurring income for regular people just like you. Our students love showcasing their success stories to inspire other publishers and show what’s possible through hard work and dedication.

Brenda is a shining example of how consistency and dedication can turn your publishing business into a meaningful source of income!

Read more student self-publishing success stories here!

Free Webinar

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• Target Lucrative Markets: Identify high-demand book categories with low competition for maximum profitability.
• Create a Lasting Platform: Learn how to build a strong online presence and establish your authority as a self-publisher.
• Achieve Financial Freedom: Master the techniques to generate a reliable stream of passive income through your books.

Don't miss out! Reserve your spot in our free webinar today and learn the secrets to earning recurring income online.

2. Smashwords

Smashwords is an eBook distribution platform that extends your book's reach beyond a single retailer. By publishing on Smashwords, you tap into a network that includes major eBook retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and the Google Play Store. This broad distribution increases your eBook's online visibility and sales potential, making it accessible to a wider audience. Learn more here.

Royalties and Profitability

Smashwords offers a competitive royalty structure, allowing you to earn a significant portion of your eBook sales. When readers purchase your book through the Smashwords store, you enjoy a 60% royalty rate. For sales generated through their distribution network to other retailers, royalty rates vary, so it's essential to review their detailed guidelines.

Why Smashwords is a Great Option

• Extensive Distribution Network: Reach readers across various platforms and devices, maximizing your eBook's discoverability.
• Free ISBNs: Obtain free International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) for your eBooks, a crucial element for broader distribution and professional presentation.
• Pre-order Functionality: Enabling pre-orders allows readers to secure their copy in advance, generating excitement and building anticipation for your eBook launch.
• Direct Connection with Readers: While Smashwords distributes widely, it also allows you to connect directly with readers through its own eBook store, fostering a loyal following.

Smashwords provides a valuable service for publishers seeking to expand their reach and diversify their sales channels. Its combination of wide distribution, competitive royalties, and helpful features makes it a compelling choice for self-publishers.

3. Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital streamlines the often complex process of eBook distribution, making it a breeze to reach a wide audience across various online platforms and retailers. With Draft2Digital, your eBook can be available on platforms like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more, expanding your book's discoverability and potential readership.

Royalties and Profitability

Draft2Digital offers a straightforward and competitive royalty structure. It typically provides a 60% royalty rate on sales generated by paid eBooks through most of its distribution channels. This means you retain a significant portion of your eBook's selling price, maximizing your earning potential.

Why Draft2Digital is Recommended

• Effortless User Experience: Draft2Digital's intuitive interface simplifies the publishing process, guiding you through each step with clear instructions and helpful resources.
• Extensive Distribution Network: Distribute your eBook to major online retailers and digital libraries to reach a broad audience, increasing your book's visibility and sales opportunities.
• Print-on-Demand Services: Expand your book's format options using Draft2Digital's print-on-demand services. This allows you to offer paperback versions of your eBook, catering to readers who prefer physical books.
• Universal Book Links (UBLs): Create a single link that directs readers to your book on all major retail platforms, simplifying your marketing efforts and providing a convenient purchasing experience.

Draft2Digital's focus on user experience, wide distribution, and valuable features like print-on-demand and UBLs make it an excellent choice for publishers seeking a hassle-free publishing experience and broader market reach. Click here for more information.

4. Payhip

Payhip empowers you to take control of your eBook sales, offering a platform for connecting directly with your audience and cultivating a thriving online business. With Payhip, you're not just selling eBooks; you're building a community and establishing yourself as an authority in your niche.

Royalties and Profitability

Payhip's royalty structure is designed to maximize your earnings. You receive a remarkable 100% of the eBook profits made from your eBook sales, with no hidden fees on their paid plans. This allows you to retain the full value of your hard work and reinvest in your business growth.

Why Payhip is a Great Choice

• Unleash Your Entrepreneurial Spirit: Payhip provides the tools and flexibility to build your own online store, giving you complete control over your branding, marketing, and customer interactions.
• Direct Sales, Direct Connection: Sell your eBooks directly to your audience from your own website or through Payhip's platform, fostering a deeper connection with your readers and building a loyal following.
• Marketing Features at Your Fingertips: Utilize Payhip's built-in marketing features to promote your eBooks and expand your reach. Leverage email marketing to nurture your audience and implement an affiliate program to incentivize others to promote your work.
• Diversify Your Product Offerings: Payhip allows you to sell more than just eBooks. Expand your income streams by offering online courses, digital artwork, music, or even physical products, creating a comprehensive online store that caters to your audience's diverse needs.

Payhip's commitment to empowering creators, combined with its generous royalty structure and comprehensive features, makes it an ideal choice for publishers who desire complete control over their eBook business and seek to cultivate a direct relationship with their readers. Learn more on this resource.

5. Gumroad

Gumroad provides a streamlined and user-friendly platform for creators to sell digital products, including their free eBooks themselves, directly to their audience. It's a popular choice for authors, artists, musicians, and other creatives seeking a hassle-free way to monetize their work and connect with their supporters.

Royalties and Profitability

Gumroad's fee structure is designed to be transparent and straightforward. While they do deduct a small percentage from each sale, they offer competitive rates that allow creators to retain a significant portion of their earnings. The specific fees vary based on your chosen plan, but they generally provide a high royalty rate after deductions.

Why Gumroad is Popular

• Simplicity at its Core: Gumroad prioritizes ease of use, making it incredibly simple to set up your shop, list your eBooks, and start selling. The intuitive interface requires no technical expertise, allowing you to focus on your creative work.
• Direct-to-Consumer Connection: Gumroad enables you to cultivate a direct relationship with your audience, bypassing intermediaries and fostering a loyal following. This direct connection allows for personalized interactions and greater control over your brand.
• Flexible Pricing Options: Gumroad offers various pricing models to suit your needs, including one-time purchases, subscriptions, memberships, and even "pay-what-you-want" options. This flexibility allows you to cater to different customer preferences and maximize your earning potential.
• Built-in Audience Building Tools: Gumroad provides tools to help you grow your audience and promote your eBooks. Features like email capture forms and discount codes empower you to nurture your customer base and drive sales.

Gumroad's emphasis on simplicity, direct sales, flexible pricing, and audience building, all in one platform, makes it an attractive option for creators seeking a user-friendly platform to sell their eBooks and other digital products. Find out more here.

6. Kobo Writing Life

Kobo Writing Life is the self-publishing platform for Rakuten Kobo, a prominent global eBook retailer with a vast network of readers in over 190 countries. By publishing your eBook on Kobo Writing Life, you tap into this extensive international market, making your eBook accessible to a diverse audience beyond your typical geographic boundaries.

Royalties and Profitability

Kobo Writing Life offers a competitive royalty structure that rewards publishers for their work. You can earn up to a 70% royalty rate on your eBook sales, depending on the price you set for your book. This generous royalty structure allows you to retain a significant portion of your earnings and fuel your publishing career.  

Why Kobo Writing Life is a Solid Choice

• Global Reach: Expand your readership beyond borders and connect with Kobo's extensive network of readers worldwide, increasing your book's visibility and sales potential in diverse markets.  
• Promotional Opportunities: Kobo Writing Life provides various promotional tools and opportunities to help you market your eBook effectively. Participate in Kobo's promotional programs, leverage their merchandising options, and utilize their marketing features to reach a wider audience.  
• User-Friendly Interface: Kobo Writing Life's platform is designed for publishers. The intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate, upload your manuscript, format your eBook, and manage your publishing journey with ease.  
• Creator-centric Approach: Kobo Writing Life prioritizes publisher satisfaction and provides excellent support resources. Their dedicated team is readily available to assist you with any questions or challenges you may encounter throughout the publishing process.

Kobo Writing Life's global reach, promotional opportunities, user-friendly platform, and creator-centric approach make it a solid choice for creators seeking to expand their international readership and maximize their eBook's potential. Learn more here.

7. Blurb

Blurb stands out from other eBook platforms by offering a unique blend of digital and print publishing. It focuses on creating visually stunning books. If you envision your eBook as a beautiful object that readers will treasure, Blurb provides the tools and services to bring that vision to life.

Royalties and Profitability

Blurb's royalty structure varies depending on factors such as the book format (eBook or print), the sales channel (Blurb bookstore or other online retailers), and the book's production costs. While their royalty percentages may be lower than some platforms, the potential for higher profits exists due to their focus on premium quality and the ability to set higher prices for your books.

Why Blurb is a Good Option

• Exceptional Print Quality: Blurb specializes in high-quality printing, offering a range of professional-grade paper types, binding options, and cover finishes. This allows you to create visually stunning print books that stand out from the crowd.
• Creative Control: Blurb empowers you with creative control over your book's design. Utilize their book design tools, templates, and layouts, or upload your own custom designs to create a book that truly reflects your vision.
• Diverse Distribution Options: Sell your eBook and print books through Blurb's own bookstore or expand your reach by distributing through Amazon and other online retailers. This flexibility allows you to reach a wider audience and cater to different reader preferences.
• Ideal for Visual Storytelling: If your eBook relies heavily on visual elements, such as photography, illustrations, or graphic design, Blurb's platform is an excellent choice. Their tools and print options are optimized for showcasing visual content in its best light.

Blurb's dedication to quality, creative control, and diverse distribution options makes it a good option for publishers who prioritize aesthetics and seek to create visually captivating eBooks and print books. Find out more using this link.

8. Sellfy

Sellfy is more than just an eBook selling platform; it's a comprehensive e-commerce solution designed to empower creators like you to build a thriving online business. Sellfy provides all the tools and features you need to showcase your eBooks, engage your audience, and maximize your digital sales.  

Royalties and Profitability

Sellfy's commitment to creator success is evident in its generous royalty structure. With their paid plans, you enjoy a 100% royalty rate on all your eBook sales, meaning you keep every penny of your hard-earned income. No transaction fees cut into your profits, allowing you to reinvest your earnings back into your business growth.

Why Sellfy is a Great Option

• Effortless E-commerce Setup: Sellfy makes it incredibly easy to set up your own professional online store. Their intuitive interface and customizable storefront options allow you to create a unique and branded shopping experience for your audience.  
• Marketing Powerhouse: Sellfy has built-in marketing features designed to boost your eBook sales and expand your reach. Leverage email marketing to nurture your audience, create discount codes to incentivize purchases, and implement a robust affiliate program to encourage others to promote your eBooks.  
• Diverse Digital Product Offerings: While eBooks are a core focus, Sellfy enables you to sell a wide range of digital products.
  Offer online courses, digital artwork, music, membership programs, and more, creating a comprehensive online store that caters to your audience's diverse interests.  
• Seamless Digital Delivery: Sellfy handles the secure storage and delivery of your eBooks, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for your customers. Automated delivery and instant downloads provide immediate access to your content, enhancing customer satisfaction.  

Sellfy's combination of generous royalties, powerful marketing tools, diverse product offerings, and seamless digital delivery makes it a great option for creators seeking an all-in-one e-commerce platform to manage and grow their online business.

Is Selling eBooks Profitable?

Yes, selling and publishing eBooks yourself can be very profitable. Self-publishing lets you generate recurring income and build a business. However, it's important to approach eBook publishing strategically to maximize your earning potential.

Choosing platforms with low fees and direct-to-consumer sales is a smart way to maximize profits. Platforms like Payhip and Sellfy, for instance, offer 100% royalties with their paid plans, allowing you to keep a larger share of your revenue. By selling directly to your audience through your own website or these social media platforms, you cut out the middleman and retain more control over your pricing and marketing strategies.

Tips for Maximizing Profits Selling eBooks Online

1. Craft High-Quality Content: Create a valuable and engaging eBook that caters to your target audience's needs and interests. A well-written, informative, and polished eBook will attract readers and encourage positive reviews, ultimately driving more sales.
2. Build an Email List: Cultivate a loyal following by collecting email addresses from interested readers. An email list allows you to nurture your audience, promote your eBook directly, and announce new releases or special offers, fostering repeat business and long-term profitability.
3. Market Your eBook Strategically: Don't rely solely on platform visibility. Actively promote your eBook through various channels, including social media, guest blogging, online advertising, and collaborations with other creators or influencers. A well-executed marketing strategy can significantly boost your eBook's visibility and drive sales.

Click here to learn more.

Conclusion

These platforms offer incredible opportunities for aspiring and established publishers to share their knowledge, connect with readers worldwide, and generate significant income from their eBooks. Whether you're drawn to the massive reach of Amazon KDP, the extensive distribution network of Smashwords, or the creative control of Blurb, there's a platform perfectly suited to your publishing goals.

Remember, the key to success in eBook publishing lies in crafting high-quality content, building a strong publisher brand, and implementing effective marketing strategies. By focusing on these core elements and choosing the right platform for your needs, you can turn your book into profits.

Ready to take the next step?

Join our FREE webinar and gain valuable insights into:

• Identifying profitable eBook niches
• Mastering the art of book formatting and publishing
• Leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance your writing
• Building a thriving publisher brand
• And much more!

Register now and start earning recurring income from your books today!