How to Sell Digital Products on Amazon: A Complete Guide

Amazon is not only a place to buy physical products, but also a platform to sell digital products, such as ebooks, music, photos, videos, software, and more. So selling digital products on Amazon can be a great way to earn passive income, reach a large and global audience, and showcase your creativity and skills. However, selling digital products on Amazon also requires some research, preparation, and optimization, as there are different methods, rules, and best practices to follow.

In this article, we will explain how to sell digital products on Amazon, using five popular methods: Kindle Direct Publishing, TuneCore, Merch by Amazon, Prime video direct, and Amazon Appstore. We will also discuss the benefits and challenges of selling digital products on Amazon, and give you some tips and tools to help you succeed.

What are digital products

Digital products are things that you can sell online, but they are not physical. They are things that you can download or stream on your computer, phone, or tablet. For example, digital products can be ebooks, music, videos, Apps, or games.

Selling digital products on Amazon can be a good way for you to make money online, because you don’t even have to worry about storing, or shipping anything. You just create your digital product once, and then you can sell it to many people on Amazon. You can also sell digital products on your own website.

Best-selling digital products on Amazon

Amazon offers different platforms and services to help you create and distribute your own digital products to millions of customers worldwide. Some of the popular digital products you can sell on Amazon are:

1. Ebooks

Ebooks are one of the most popular digital products sold on Amazon. So if you are interested in writing books you can write and publish your own books using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Amazon’s self-publishing platform. You can sell ebooks in various genres and formats, such as fiction, non-fiction, guides, courses, etc. You can also use KDP to print physical copies of your books on demand.

2. Music

Music is another popular digital product that you can sell on Amazon. So if you are a musician who knows how to sing well, you can sell your own songs or albums on Amazon Music, where millions of listeners can stream or download your music. You can upload and sell your songs using TuneCore, which is a part of Amazon Music. TuneCore allows you to distribute your music to Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and over 150 other stores and streaming services. You can also earn royalties from your music sales and streams.

3. Videos

Videos are also a popular digital product sold on Amazon. You can sell your own movies, shows, documentaries, or tutorials on Prime Video, where millions of viewers can watch your videos. You can upload your videos via Prime Video Direct, a service that allows you to publish and monetize your videos on Amazon.

4. Photos, Graphics, and Digital Art

If you are into Artist or graphic designer you can upload and sell your original images and designs using Amazon Merch, which is a print-on-demand service. Amazon Merch lets you upload your artwork and see it on various products, such as t-shirts, mugs, bags, pillows, etc. You don’t need to worry about inventory, shipping, or customer service, as Amazon handles everything for you.

5. Apps and Games

You can create and sell your own apps and games using the Amazon Appstore, which allows you to reach millions of Amazon devices and customers in over 230 countries. Your apps and games will be available on Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire tablets, and the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11. You can also use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host and scale your apps and games.

What are the benefits of selling digital products on Amazon?

Selling digital products on Amazon can offer many benefits, such as:

Passive income: You can earn money from your digital products without having to work actively on them, as they can be sold repeatedly and indefinitely, without any additional cost or effort.
Large and global audience: You can reach millions of customers from different countries and regions, who use Amazon as their preferred online marketplace, and who trust Amazon’s reputation and quality.
Low overhead: You don’t need to invest in inventory, storage, shipping, or customer service, as Amazon handles the delivery and support of your digital products, and charges you only a small fee for each sale.
Creative freedom: You can create and sell any digital product that showcases your talent, passion, or expertise, as long as it meets Amazon’s requirements and restrictions.

What are the challenges of selling digital products on Amazon?

Selling digital products on Amazon can also pose some challenges, such as:

Competition: You have to compete with thousands of other sellers who offer similar or better digital products, and who may have more experience, reviews, or ratings.
Pricing: You have to set a competitive and profitable price for your digital products, taking into account the market demand, the customer value, and the Amazon fees.
Marketing: You have to promote and optimize your digital products, using strategies such as keywords, titles, descriptions, images, reviews, or ads, to increase your visibility and conversions on Amazon.
Compliance: You have to follow Amazon’s policies and guidelines, such as the product quality, the content standards, and the customer service, to avoid any penalties or suspension.

How to sell digital products on Amazon?

Depending on the type of digital product you want to sell, there are different methods to sell them on Amazon. Here is the methods:

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s self-publishing service that allows you to publish and sell ebooks and paperback books on Amazon. You can write and format your books using various tools and templates, and upload them to KDP. You can also set your own prices, royalties, and distribution options. You can reach millions of readers worldwide and earn up to 70% of royalties. It does not cost anything to start publishing with KDP, but you may incur some expenses for editing, cover design, marketing, etc.

To start selling with KDP, you need to

Click here to visit KDP and sign up.

Write and format your ebook or paperback book, using tools such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Scrivener. You can also use KDP’s templates and tools, such as Kindle Create or Kindle Comic Creator, to help you with the formatting. You have to make sure that your book meets KDP’s content and quality guidelines, and that you have the rights to publish it.

Upload your book to KDP and enter the required information, such as the title, the author, the description, the keywords, the categories, and the ISBN (optional). You can also upload a cover for your book, using your own design or KDP’s cover creator.

Set the price and the royalty for your book, depending on the market, the format, and the distribution. You can choose between 35% or 70% royalty options, and you can also enable DRM (digital rights management) to protect your book from unauthorized copying or sharing.

Publish your book and start selling on Amazon. You can also track your sales and earnings, and update your book information, using KDP’s dashboard and reports.

Selling with KDP is free, except for the delivery fee for each ebook sale, which is based on the file size of your book, and which can reduce your royalty. You also have to pay a referral fee to Amazon for each sale, which is 15% for ebooks and 60% for paperbacks.

TuneCore

This is a service that allows you to distribute your music to Amazon Music and other streaming platforms and stores. You can upload your songs, albums, or singles, and set your own prices and release dates. You can also access various tools and resources to promote and monetize your music. You can earn 100% of your royalties and keep your rights.

To start selling with TuneCore, you need to:

Visit Amazon Tunecore platform and sign up.

Record and produce your music, using tools such as GarageBand, Audacity, or FL Studio. You have to make sure that your music meets TuneCore’s technical and content requirements, and that you have the rights to distribute it.

Upload your music to TuneCore and enter the required information, such as the title, the artist, the genre, the release date, and the UPC (universal product code). You can also upload a cover art for your music, using your own design or TuneCore’s cover art generator.

Choose the stores and platforms where you want to sell your music, such as Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, and more. You can also choose the territories and regions where you want to distribute your music, and the pricing options for each store and platform.

Pay a one-time or annual fee to distribute your music, depending on the type and number of releases. You can also pay extra fees to access additional services, such as YouTube monetization, Facebook and Instagram music, or music publishing administration.

Publish your music and start selling on Amazon Music and other digital music platforms. You can also track your sales and earnings, and update your music information, using TuneCore’s dashboard and reports.

Selling with TuneCore is not free, as you have to pay a one-time or annual fee to distribute your music, which can be expensive if you have a lot of releases or if you want to access additional services. You also have to pay a referral fee to Amazon for each sale, which is 15% for digital music.

Amazon Merch

Merch by Amazon is a print-on-demand service that allows you to sell your original designs on various products, such as t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, etc. You can upload your artwork, choose your products and colors, and set your prices. Amazon will print and ship the products to your customers and handle the customer service. You can earn a royalty for every sale, which depends on the product type and price. It does not cost anything to start selling with Amazon Merch, but you need to request an invitation and wait for approval.

To start selling with Merch by Amazon, you need to:

Create an Amazon seller account and apply for Merch by Amazon. You have to wait for Amazon’s approval, which can take from a few days to a few months, depending on the demand and availability.

Create and upload your designs to Merch by Amazon, using tools such as Photoshop or Illustrator.

Choose the products you want to sell and set your prices and royalties. Merch by Amazon offers various products, such as t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, popsockets, and more. You can also choose the colors and sizes for each product. Merch by Amazon will show you the base cost of each product, which includes the printing, fulfillment, and shipping fees. You can add your desired royalty on top of that to calculate your selling price.

Publish your products and start selling on Amazon. Merch by Amazon will automatically create and update your product listings on Amazon, using the information and images you provided.

When a customer orders your product, Merch by Amazon will print, pack, and ship the product to the customer. You don’t need to do anything, except monitor your sales and royalties.

Prime Video Direct

This is a platform that allows you to distribute your videos to Amazon Prime Video and other Amazon channels. You can upload your videos, add metadata, captions, and artwork, and choose your distribution options. You can also set your own prices and royalties, or opt for ad-supported or subscription-based models. You can reach millions of viewers worldwide and earn up to 50% of royalties. It does not cost anything to start distributing with Prime Video Direct, but you need to meet the technical and content requirements.

To start selling with Prime Video Direct, you need to:

Click here and sign up for Prime Video Direct.

Produce and edit your video, using tools such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or iMovie. You have to make sure that your video meets Prime Video Direct’s technical and content requirements, and that you have the rights to distribute it.

Upload your video to Prime Video Direct and enter the required information, such as the title, the description, the keywords, the categories, and the subtitles. You can also upload a poster and a trailer for your video, using your own design or Prime Video Direct’s tools.

Choose the distribution options and the royalties for your video, depending on the market, the platform, and the region. You can choose between four options: Prime Subscription Access, Free with Ads, Digital Purchase, or Digital Rental. You can also choose the countries and regions where you want to sell your video, and the pricing options for each market and platform.

Publish your video and start selling on Amazon Prime Video and other video platforms. You can also track your sales and earnings, and update your video information, using Prime Video Direct’s dashboard and reports.

Amazon Appstore

Amazon Appstore is a platform that allows you to publish and sell your apps and games on Amazon devices, such as Fire TV, Fire tablets, and Echo devices, as well as on Android devices. You can use Amazon Appstore to sell apps and games that are educational, entertaining, useful, or innovative.

To start selling on the Amazon App Store, you need to:

Click here and sign up for the Amazon App Store.

You need to create your own app or game that you want to distribute to the Amazon App Store using tools such as Android Studio, Unity, or Unreal Engine, or if you can’t create it, you can go on Fiverr.com or Upwork.com and hire a professional that will create it for you. You have to make sure that your app or game meets Amazon App Store’s technical and content requirements and that you have the rights to distribute it.

Set the price and the distribution options for your app or game, depending on the market, the device, and the region. You can choose between free or paid apps or games, and you can also enable in-app purchases or subscriptions. You can also choose the countries and regions where you want to sell your app or game and the devices that are compatible with it.

Pay a one-time fee of $99 to join the Amazon App Store, which can be expensive if you are a beginner or a hobbyist.

Publish your app or game and start selling it on the Amazon App Store. You can also track your sales and earnings and update your app or game information using Amazon Appstore’s dashboard and reports.

Best practices for selling digital products on Amazon

Here are some best practices for selling digital products on Amazon:

Research the market and the competition. Before you start making plans to sell digital products on Amazon, first of all, you need to do research to find out what kind of digital products are in demand, what prices and formats are popular, and what keywords and topics are relevant.

Create high-quality and original digital products. You also need to make sure that your digital products are well-made, unique, and valuable to your customers. You also need to follow the quality and formatting guidelines of Amazon for your chosen type of product.

Promote your digital products and get reviews. You need to use various marketing strategies to attract customers and increase your sales. You can use platforms like [Amazon Advertising], [Facebook Ads], or [Instagram Ads] to run ads for your products. You can also use social media, email marketing, or SEO to increase your visibility and traffic. You also need to encourage your customers to leave positive reviews and feedback for your products, as this can boost your ranking and reputation on Amazon.

These are some best practices for selling digital products on Amazon. Selling digital products on Amazon can be a great way to make money online, but it is not easy or risk-free. You have to work hard and be smart to succeed in selling digital products on Amazon.