IngramSpark vs KDP: Who Wins?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- KDP vs IngramSpark! Trying to choose between IngramSpark and KDP? I compare KDP vs IngramSpark's ease of use, cost, color, profits, and additional perks so you can make the choice that is best for you... or perhaps there is a third choice! Watch and find out!
THESE ARE MY OPINIONS AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES - PLEASE DECIDE YOUR PREFERENCES BASED ON YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Resources
0:26 What is POD
1:04 Ease of Use
1:36 Selling Platform
2:44 Print Cost & Shipping
5:23 Profit
7:03 Color & Print Quality
10:18 Additional Perks
11:00 Who Wins?
12:31 More Resources to Help
References:
Uploading to IngramSpark: • Publishing on IngramSp...
IngramSpark Returns: • IngramSpark Returns: T...
IngramSpark Coupon Codes: • No More IngramSpark Co...
Uploading to KDP: • How to Publish a book ...
Mastering AMS Ads: • Mastering Ads!
A+ Content: • Announcing A+ Content ...
Press Releases: • Press Releases: What t...
How To Get School Visits: • How to Get School Visi...
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UPDATE: You can now use AMS with IngramSpark books!
Great info! Thank you so much! Love your books as well!! 😃
Great information!! And super cute books 😍 thank you for sharing this info. I’m still new and appreciate all the insight.
Thank you
Bethany!
Thanks for the video. It was very helpful.
I would love to do short sturies-poetry and alphabet books.
good information
I really appreciate your videos. Thank you. Dumb question here: Where can one find a direct # to KDP? It appears to me that their pages have changed again and the contact info is not there for me.
This helped me eliminate IS because I am doing photo books thanks
You're awesome
Thanks for the information. If you do not choose case laminate for the hard cover. Will you automatically get a dust jacket for the children's book?
Great content! Do you have any suggestions for any book printing companies?
I don't right now, but I can look into that in the future! Do you have any companies to suggest I look into or ones that you'd like to see?
thanks for the video. Have a qestion: How are the books holding up after a year of use? We are doing hiking books that get used similarly to a cook book - people use them quite often (which is what these books are made for ideally). I wonder if the pod quality with the simple glued pages hold up well.
Our standard books are glued and stitched (lasts tens of years), but interested in the Amazon option.
Depending on your page count, you might want to consider a KDP hardcover just to help protect the pages. Overall, I've had schools/classrooms use the same paperback copies for 2+ years and not have an issue. But if books may get wet/worn outside a clean/dry environment, you may notice the lamination on a paperback cover peel, which is the only negative I see to some KDP books with extended/non-ideal weather use. (But I have many trad books that will do the same thing)
I really need a start.can I sell my contents etc.
If I start with a 30% wholesale discount knowing that my main avenue for selling at first is through Amazon are there any downsides? This way I can price my books lower and still have a decent profit until it gets out there enough to care about other retailers, then at that point raise the discount? Thanks!
The beauty is you can always change it, so I recommend starting off what whatever you are comfortable with and adjusting from there 😊
Hello, thank you for the video. Does anyone know - Can you have expanded distribution enabled on KDP if you also publish a hardcover version (with a different isbn) on IngramSpark, but not another paperback?
Yes, you can 😁
Thank you!
Also curious why the hardcover needs to have a different isbn to enable expanded distribution? Will Amazon link them together if you publish paperback through kdp and hardcover through IS if they don’t have the same isbn?
Hello! Thanks for posting. I recently published my first children’s book on KDP and I love the colors but am disappointed by the paper quality. In my opinion it feels quite flimsy. Is there an option on KDP for a thicker size paper that I am missing or is the paper only one feel usually?
Unfortunately, they do not have the choice of any other paper thickness options at this time.
@@BethanyStahl what is the paper weight of KDP?
@@Mark_James_Hill 70 for both, kdp and Ingram Spark. I wish it was a bit heavier paper.
Do you have to put in a price for 'Global Connect'? It seems compulsory as can't continue otherwise. I don't want it priced as there is no returns option.
I believe you do have to put a price, as that is one of their distribution networks. You may want to reach out to IngramSpark to see if there is a way to opt-out of it. I have all of my books priced in Global Connect so I'm not sure if there is a way around it.
Thanks so much for this video! I just heard about ingramspark and this is only the second video I've watched regarding the comparison to KDP and it really seems like it's just not worth it at all. The fees they charge seem ridiculous and the other video I saw was a woman who wasn't even told there was an error with the design and her proof looked messed up. Having to pay those fees only to get errors is not cool lol. And with the return charges, the lack of tracking etc, why on earth do they charge so much? I'm confused lol. I'll definitely stick to KDP. I had a question, on the KDP where you showed that the pages look slightly "glossy" is it ok to write on? I plan on making a book that does have full-color pages, but it's a workbook so needs to be able to take pencil/pens etc. Not sure if the glossy look makes that difficult or not. Thanks so much in advance for any info you can help with. And I LOVE your illustrations. Amazing.
Thank you! I would recommend cream paper (or white could work too) for a book to write on and not go with full color. I have a workbook for my Save the Earth series through KDP with cream paper and it holds pencil, pen, and marker well. Here it is for reference: www.amazon.com/dp/1951987047/
@@BethanyStahl Ah ok, got it! I am designing a logbook where the pages are fully designed in color. The background area where you would write is cream, but has a slight texture to it so I assume it would have to be printed as a full-color option? And in that case, wouldn't work? It's basically like a cream-colored speckled paper effect and not just a blank white background. What would I do in that case? Thanks again so much in advance for all your help!
@@Printablu My best advice is to get a proof and test it out, it does sound like full-color would be your best option. I wish I could be of more help!
@@BethanyStahl No worries! You've been a great help. Thanks so much. I'll do that!
Great vid, how would you compare kdp to a normal children's book you’d buy in stores such as Waterstones
There is a difference in quality. POD books have no glossy inside pages and not as heavy paper. Also, although kdp is reasonable for the quality, it does not show texture well if the illustration had some texture in the background, so it will look just plain. fFr that reason some people choose to order bulk orders from China or local printers. I'm waiting for the day when POD books will be indistinguishable from traditionally published books.
Traditionally published books or books that are offset printed tend to have thicker interior pages, heavier gloss, and various cover treatments on the books. Hardcovers are where the big differences start to come in, but paperbacks are rather comparable. However for most consumers they will not notice a massive difference as many report there are simply stylistic differences however, as creators we will see the differences more than anything. It comes down to cost and if POD or offset printing is best for you and your personal authorship journey. For me, I have way too many titles to print/store/ship so POD is the way to go and I honestly think KDP has a great quality.
Nicely done. Does Ingram offer colored ends? The colors look pretty poor on Ingram - definitely not bookstore quality.
Thank you! At this time I do not believe they offer colored ends. Upgrades, such as colored end pages, and elevated printing options will come from private printers when printing in bulk.
If you made a coloring book in premium color ink would the white parts of the page be too glossy to color on? Or could you color on the paper used for premium color ink
If you use plain white (as in no color in the white spots, like an off-white), theoretically there should be no ink which gives it the glossy appearance (as the pages themselves are not actually glossy) so I think it would be fine, in my personal opinion. However, I do encourage you to always grab a proof and test it out before publishing! Good luck! 😊
@@BethanyStahl thank you!
Hello Bethany, have you experienced any quality issues with your KDP paperbacks in terms of: 1) white showing in the gutter between full-bleed pages due to improper gluing; 2) slanting of the text and pictures (either angling up or down) due to the pages being trimmed incorrectly instead of at proper right angles? Thank you so much for your video here!
I haven't had very many. If you are experiencing this, I highly recommend letting KDP customer service know as this sounds like a printer error. They have multiple printing facilities so if this happens to you or any customers they should refund or replace, but letting them know can help them fix any machine errors they may have missed too.
@@BethanyStahl thank you so much! i did chat with them, and it didn't yield anything other than them saying it could be a printing error. i think what I'll do next is order another proof to see if it happens again, and then ask to speak with a senior specialist about it if so. btw, i'm going to order one of your beautiful books - it was hard to decide on a first one, but i think 'save the sky' has my heart.
Hi could you tell me if the KDP books in this are all premium color or the ones compared to IS standard were standard as well? Sorry if you said it in the video maybe i didn't understand, but thanks for doing this comparison it's appreciated.
The KDPs are all premium (under a certain page count they have to be). In the video standard and premium IS color is shown but I do recommend premium over standard and ensuring your file is in CMYK.
@@BethanyStahl thanks! Thing is premium would be too expensive for my 200 pages book 😬 hopefully standard is good enough with KDP.
So I plan to upload my book about ten days before my actual release date. Does KDP give the option to order my own copies before the launch or do I have to wait till my launch to order me my own copies?
You can order author copies beforehand. If you go to my channel and watch the publishing on KDP video the option is very small at the end of the last page. Just be aware that any copies ordered before the launch will have a gray strip across the cover book that says proof. Good luck with your upcoming book 😁❤
@@BethanyStahl Thank you 🥰
Very helpful. What was the size of the book? 10”x10”?
My books are 8.5" x 8.5" :) I'm glad it was helpful!
What if I write a few children's books will you be able to print and se. ll and and take a fraction of the money as I don't have the resources.
You could sell your ideas and content on fiver most likely.
NEW print options (Coming July 1st)
Ultra-premium color option that can help you create bright and vibrant books. Also available, groundwood paper, a lightweight, thicker paper that is mostly paired with mass market and trade content.
received this email from Ingramspark April 27 2023
Yep! I posted an announcement as soon as they shared it publicly. I will have a new video comparing the new option soon!
@@BethanyStahl so excited for this. Thanks for your video. I received my order literally TODAY from Ingramspark for my children's book My Daddy Is King Series by Evidence Tartt. No complaints but I am excited for what's to come! Thanks again for your video. KDP clearly (emphasis on Clearly) Won. But I will stick with Ingramspark and I believe in July they will most certainly win!!! 😊 💕
9:46 Q is the kdp premium color or standard color?
All the KDP paperbacks are premium color in this example. This was prior to the option of standard color and I do not recommend using standard for children's books.
Hi dear thanks for this video! By the way my concern is who will be the publisher?
If you are using your own ISBN and own a business, you (or your publishing company name) would be the publisher.
@@BethanyStahl from kdp isbn is fine to use my own publishing
What size is your book? 8.5x8x5?
Yes 😁
I'm creating a children's book with my boyfriend and honestly I feel completely overwhelmed..
There is a lot to learn, but you both can do it! I have step by step classes over on selfpubby.com that may help. Otherwise I have a ton of information in the videos here to pick through and on patreon.com/bethanystahl I have a tier for individualized help. Don't get discouraged! It isn't easy, but you can do it 😁
How much would you recommend charging for top quality paper , 8.5x11 children’s book. 33 pages. The profit is about 0.65cents on IngramSpark @ 18.99-Hcover. That’s just crazy. When doing a 40% discount , do you know if the print cost includes any shipping etc? If not, should I increase the price of the book? It just seems so expensive to go passed 18.99
It is a personal choice. I agree that IngramSpark's pricing is wild. My best advice is that if you are at the top of your price point to where you don't want to charge any more, lower the discount. This will, theoretically, lead to less bulk orders, however, if a bookstore needs a certain price and they reach out to you (which will happen) you can always change it for them. I wish I had a perfect answer!
@@BethanyStahl oh really? They can reach out personally? That’s good news. I heard 40% is the lowest you can go. When I do the profit comp calculator where I see the 65c profit , is that AFTER all the shipping costs? Or is that number juuuust for print? If that’s the case I’ll have to go up
Would you buy author copies from KDP or Ingram Spark?
I get my author copies for paperbacks from KDP and hardcovers from IS. Typically I prefer offering paperbacks due to the better cost for customers and a larger ROI.
Having tried both KDP is far superior in terms of colour and vibrancy. Ingram Spark was disappointing, but KDP doesn't offer distribution
KDP has an expanded distribution option available, however IngramSpark does have a bit better of a distribution reach (purely because many bookstores prefer IngramSpark over Amazon) however that doesn't mean that you won't get bookstore sales if you do expanded distribution with KDP.
Hi, how do you do hardcover on KDP since you are transitioning over there? Or you think it’s worth it not to do hardcovers anymore?
Here is a look inside my KDP Hardcovers: th-cam.com/video/zXccT1lun3o/w-d-xo.html I am currently using IngramSpark for individual book hardcovers with the thickest paper + premium color, since KDP isn't allowing low page count hardcovers at this time. But I do currently have all my paperbacks through KDP.
I made a hardcover version in November, but it hasn't sold a copy as of yet and it's February as I write this, and I'm selling paperback copies of the same book, so I wouldn't worry too much if you don't have a hardback. People usually go for cheaper options. The only exceptions may be libraries, but there are slim chances they will order anyway, so... hardcover is not really a priority, especially if you need to pay $49 for upload. The second drawback is that you will need a new ISBN for a hardback version when doing it with IngramSpark. I'd been publishing for 1.5 years before I made my first hardback, and it doesn't sell anyway, so...
Hello Bethany, Thanks so much for such great info on all of your videos! Here's a question....
1. I order my Proof.
2. Approve proof/submit changes.
3. Order ARCs. Is there a limit on how many I can buy from Ingram?
4. THEN... when I'm ready to make the book available, I click the big red "Holy Cow You're Really Doing This" icon, and it's available? In other words, after I approve the proof, Ingram still needs to wait for me to give the go ahead, correct? Thank you!!
This video may help: th-cam.com/video/GzR65X0v0WA/w-d-xo.html But yes, you can approve it for orders - just for yourself (to order proofs/arcs/etc.), but once you approve it for distribution it is out to the world!