Education
Turning Dreams into Dollars: How One Couple Earned $34,000 in 3 Months Selling Books
Meet Chris Rawson and Angelina Stanzione, a dynamic duo that turned their passion for publishing into a thriving business. They’ve harnessed the power of Amazon KDP and ChatGPT to make their dreams of financial freedom a reality.
They Found Amazon KDP: From Desk Jobs to Dream Lives
Chris and Angelina’s journey began in 2019 when they ventured into the world of self-publishing on Amazon KDP. Chris, a physiotherapist looking to break free from his nine-to-five grind, and Angelina, a master’s student with a thirst for adventure, were seeking a way to lead more flexible, fulfilling lives.
Here is Their Winning Formula For Amazon KDP
Instead of chasing elusive novel ideas, they took a strategic approach. By diving into Amazon KDP’s treasure trove of keywords and trending topics, they pinpointed subjects with high demand but limited supply in the literary world. Nonfiction became their forte as it allowed precise targeting of eager readers.
Planting Seeds of Success
With their chosen niche decided, Chris and Angelina embarked on their first project: a book on mushroom growing. They invested three months in exhaustive research before crafting a comprehensive outline. To bring their vision to life, they hired a ghostwriter on Upwork who transformed their knowledge into a literary gem.
The Financial Alchemy
Each book cost approximately $900 to produce, covering ghostwriting, formatting, and cover design. The payoff? Sales started rolling in within weeks of publishing. Their first four months on KDP brought them $5,000 in royalties, marking the beginning of their financial transformation.
A Journey Through Advertising
To boost readership, the couple invested in cost-per-click ads on Amazon KDP, a strategic move that accounted for 25% to 30% of their budget. Their ad spend decreased as their books gained reviews and established themselves in the market.
The Art of Printing and Shipping
About 90% of their sales came from paperbacks, although printing costs added a 20% to 30% expense depending on book length. The beauty of Amazon’s system? Books are printed and shipped on-demand, eliminating the need for stock and ensuring a copy is created only when a customer orders it.
Striking the Perfect Balance
While longer books mean higher printing costs, Chris and Angelina have found their sweet spot at 30,000 to 35,000 words, ensuring their works are both informative and cost-effective.
Building the Dream, Brick by Brick
Success didn’t happen overnight. In the early days, Angelina juggled business endeavors with her master’s studies, while Chris put in hours after his day job. The turning point came when Chris decided to take the leap and go full-time. With more dedication, they made their dream a reality.
The ChatGPT Revolution
With the launch of ChatGPT, the couple embraced AI as a powerful tool. They use the chatbot to outline their books based on chosen topics, then meticulously edit the AI-generated text to make it sound more “human.” Fact-checking and fine-tuning with SEO. AI are vital to ensuring their books resonate with readers and stand out in the market.
Passive Income Pinnacle
Today, Chris and Angelina’s KDP income is nearly passive. In just three months, they made an impressive $34,500 from KDP and an additional $5,000 from audio book royalties. They dedicate only a few hours a day to their KDP endeavors, allowing them the freedom to travel and work on their terms.
A World of Possibilities
Having turned 17 of their books into audiobooks on Audible, the couple continues to explore new avenues for growth. They invest about 20% to 30% of their royalties back into the business to publish new books and expand their presence in the literary world.
Living the Dream
As they jet-set between the UK and the US, Chris and Angelina revel in the freedom their business provides. They’ve proven that with dedication, smart use of AI, and a passion for publishing, dreams can indeed become a reality.
So, what’s your dream? With the right mindset and a touch of innovation, the possibilities are endless. Join the ranks of those who’ve turned their passions into profits, just like Chris and Angelina.