How to Make Money Selling eBooks in 2026: Amazon KDP vs Selling Direct

If you have ever thought about turning your knowledge into an eBook, 2026 is genuinely one of the best times to do it. The self-publishing world has exploded, tools have never been easier to use, and readers are actively searching for useful, downloadable content every single day.

But here is a question that trips up a lot of beginners. Should you publish on Amazon KDP to tap into their massive audience, or sell your eBook directly and keep more of the profit?

The honest answer is you do not have to choose. Both can work brilliantly together, and understanding how each one works will help you make the most of both.

Understanding Your Market

Not everyone reads the same way. Some people love the convenience of downloading straight to their Kindle. Others prefer a PDF they can open on any device without needing special software or an Amazon account. If you only publish in one format, you are leaving a chunk of your potential audience and income on the table.

The smart move is to cater to both. Selling your eBook in multiple formats means more readers, more sales, and more ways for people to find and buy your work.

Writing and Preparing Your eBook

Before you think about where to sell, you need something worth selling. A well-written, well-structured eBook that genuinely helps your reader will earn positive reviews, generate word-of-mouth recommendations, and keep selling long after you have moved on to your next project.

Here are a few things to get right from the start:

• Write clearly and in a tone that feels natural and conversational

• Use Google Docs or Microsoft Word to draft and edit your content

• Proofread carefully, spell check tools help but they are not foolproof

• Design a professional cover using Canva, first impressions matter enormously

• Keep chapters focused and easy to navigate so readers actually finish it

  
  

A polished, error-free eBook builds your reputation as an author and makes buyers far more likely to come back for your next one.

Publishing on Amazon KDP

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is one of the most powerful platforms available to self-publishers in 2026. It gives you instant access to millions of active readers who are already on Amazon specifically looking for their next book to buy. That built-in audience is genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else.

Here is how to get started:

• Visit kdp.amazon.com and create a free account

• Click "Create a New Title" from your dashboard

• Fill in your book's title, author name, description, and keywords

• Upload your manuscript, Amazon will automatically convert it to Kindle format

• Design or upload your book cover

• Preview your book to check for any formatting issues

• Set your price and hit publish

Your book should be live in the Kindle Store within 24 to 48 hours. Amazon pays royalties of either 35% or 70% depending on your pricing and territory, so it is worth reading their guidelines to make sure you are set up for the higher rate.

The beauty of KDP is that once your book is live, Amazon does the heavy lifting of getting it in front of readers. You can also enrol in KDP Select for additional promotional tools and access to Kindle Unlimited readers, which can significantly boost your visibility.

Selling Your eBook Directly

As powerful as Amazon is, selling your eBook directly alongside it is a seriously smart move. When you sell direct you keep far more of the revenue, you own the relationship with your customer, and you can build your email list at the same time.

To sell directly you can:

• Create a simple sales page on your website with a clear description and a professional cover image

• Use platforms like Payhip, Gumroad, or Etsy to handle payment and delivery automatically

• Convert your eBook to PDF format so anyone can read it on any device without special software

• Promote it through your social media, Pinterest, and your email list

Selling on Etsy is particularly worth considering in 2026 because Etsy has a huge and growing audience of buyers actively searching for digital downloads. It combines the benefit of a built-in audience with the higher profit margins of selling direct.

If you want to learn exactly how to set up, optimise, and grow your digital product sales on Etsy, the Ultimate Etsy and KDP Seller Bundle covers everything from creating your first printable and getting found in Etsy search to driving traffic from Pinterest and publishing on Amazon KDP, all in one straightforward bundle.

Maximising Your Earnings

The real magic happens when you use both channels together. Here is how to think about it:

• Use Amazon KDP to reach readers who are already in buying mode on Amazon and benefit from their search traffic

• Use Etsy, Payhip, or your own website to sell direct, keep more profit, and build your audience

• Use Pinterest and Instagram to drive traffic to both

• Build an email list so you can promote new eBooks to buyers who already love your work

• Consider creating a series of related eBooks so each one leads naturally to the next

The more formats and platforms you publish on, the more opportunities you create for your eBook to be discovered, and every discovery is a potential sale that can keep coming in for months or even years.

Final Thoughts

Publishing eBooks is one of the most genuinely accessible passive income streams available in 2026. The upfront work is real, but once your eBook is out there and properly set up, it can earn for you around the clock without you having to do anything extra.

The key is to create something genuinely useful, get it in front of the right people, and use both Amazon KDP and direct selling together so you are covering as much ground as possible.

If you want a complete roadmap for building a passive income stream through digital products and KDP without the guesswork, the Passive Income Starter Kit covers everything you need to get started with a clear plan and the confidence to actually follow it through.