The Absolute Best Way Beginners Are Making up to $800/Month with Amazon KDP Without Writing a Single Word

Step 1: Find High-Demand Niches That Sell Like Hotcakes

This is arguably the most important part, in my opinion. The biggest mistake new KDP authors make? Creating a really generic notebook and just hoping it sells. Spoiler: it won’t. To actually make money, you need to find niches where people are already searching, there’s solid demand (think lots of reviews), and competition isn’t completely cutthroat. Here’s how to nail it:

Researching Niches

Start by tapping into what people are searching for on Amazon. The keyword data (and I’ve seen this myself, trust me) shows some hot niches with high search volume and what seems to be manageable competition:

• “teacher lesson planner book” (low competition, high buyer intent—teachers need these!)
• “self-care journal for women” (high demand, and like, 720 searches for “amazon kdp for beginners” suggests people are looking for these ideas)
• “fitness tracker log book” (solves a very specific problem)
• “gratitude journal for teens” (trending, especially with all the mental health discussions, I think)
• “wedding planner book” (seasonal demand spikes, obviously)

How to Find These Niches:

1. Amazon’s Search Bar Autocomplete: Open Amazon, go to the Kindle Store, and type a broad term like “journal” or “planner.” Watch the autocomplete suggestions—they’re real searches people are making. For example, typing “journal” might show “journal for women self care” or “journal for anxiety.” It’s surprisingly insightful.
2. Google’s “People Also Ask” and “Related Searches”: These are absolute goldmines. Questions like “how to publish a book on amazon and make money” (5,400 searches/month) or “how to make money on amazon kdp without writing” (70 searches/month) show what readers truly want. Use these to brainstorm niches; it’s like getting inside their heads.
3. Keyword Tools: Tools like Publisher Rocket or Helium 10 (which I hear good things about) give you search volume and competition stats. For example, “amazon kdp cover calculator” (880 searches, low competition) suggests people are looking for design help—so maybe cater to that need! Free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or even simple SERP tools can also work in a pinch.
4. Check Reviews: Look at top-selling books in your niche. If a gratitude journal has 500+ reviews, there’s clearly demand. If it’s ranked under 10,000 in Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank (BSR), it’s selling really well. Aim for niches with BSRs between 10,000–50,000 for a balance of demand and winnable competition, I think.

Hot Niches to Consider

Based on the keyword data, here are some trending low-content book ideas that seem promising:

• “amazon kdp journals reddit” (10 searches): This suggests people are discussing specific types. Create themed journals like “ADHD Daily Planner” or “Mental Health Tracker.” People want solutions for their specific struggles.
• “best selling journals on amazon kdp” (10 searches): Focus on popular types like gratitude journals, bullet journals, or goal-setting planners. These are evergreen.
• “amazon kdp niches” (10 searches): Explore specific audiences. Think “Nurse Shift Planner” or “Student Study Log.” Very targeted.
• “amazon kdp for beginners pdf” (20 searches): This could mean offering printable trackers or templates as low-content books. A bit different, but interesting.

Pro Tip: Seasonal niches like “2025 Teacher Planner” or “Christmas Gift Journal” can spike in demand. Keep an eye on X for what’s buzzing—users there are always buzzing about low-content books, journals, and planners. It’s pretty dynamic, honestly.

Step 2: Design a Book Cover That Screams “Buy Me!”

Your book cover is your first impression—and on Amazon, it’s absolutely make-or-break. A generic cover just gets scrolled past; a bold, professional one gets clicks. Seriously, it’s that simple. Here’s how to create a cover that sells, even if you’re, well, not exactly a designer.

Using the KDP Cover Calculator

First thing’s first: head to the KDP Cover Calculator (search volume: 880, “amazon kdp cover calculator”) and input your book specs. This is crucial for getting the dimensions right:

• Trim Size: Common sizes are 6”x9” or 8.5”x11” for journals.
• Page Count: Aim for 100–150 pages for a standard journal.
• Paper Type: Choose “white” for most low-content books.

The calculator will then spit out exact dimensions (e.g., 6.125”x9.25” with bleed) and a downloadable template. This ensures your cover fits perfectly for paperback printing, which, trust me, you want.

Designing in Canva

Open Canva and select “Custom Size.” Enter the dimensions you got from the KDP template. Then, here’s a neat trick: upload the KDP template as a guide and layer your design on top. This way, you know where the spine is, where things might get cut off, etc.

Design Tips:

• Bold Fonts: Use clean, readable fonts like Montserrat or Bebas Neue. Something that stands out.
• High-Contrast Colors: Think vibrant backgrounds with white or black text. You want it to pop on a small thumbnail.
• Keyword-Rich Title: This is a big one. Include long-tail keywords like “Daily Self-Care Journal for Women” or “2025 Teacher Lesson Planner” to boost discoverability. Just avoid keyword stuffing—keep it natural, like someone would actually say it.
• Visual Appeal: Add subtle graphics (e.g., floral patterns for gratitude journals or dumbbells for fitness logs) to match your niche. It just makes it look more professional, you know?

Export as a PDF Print or JPG for KDP upload. Real talk: I made my first cover in Canva in under an hour, and it wasn’t perfect. But it sold because it was clear, bold, and spoke to my niche (it was a “Mindfulness Journal for Anxiety,” I think). Don’t overthink it—just make it clean and clickable. Seriously.

Step 3: Craft a Functional (and Sellable) Interior

“Low-content” doesn’t mean low effort, by the way. A sloppy interior screams “cheap,” while a thoughtful one keeps buyers coming back. For a lined journal, here’s how to do it right in Canva:

Set Up the Page:

• Create a custom size matching your book’s trim size plus bleed (e.g., 6.125”x9.25” for a 6”x9” book).
• Add 25–30 horizontal lines with even spacing (use Canva’s “Elements” → “Lines” tool).

Add Value:

• Include a prompt at the top, like “Today I’m grateful for…” or “My daily goals:”. This makes your journal feel personal and purposeful, which is what people want.
• Consider adding sections like a weekly overview, a habit tracker, or a mood log for niches like “self-care journal for women.” People love that extra detail.

Scale It:

• Duplicate that page 100–150 times (or whatever your page count is).
• Export as a PDF Print for KDP upload.

Optional: You can find pre-made interior templates on sites like Creative Fabrica, but I’d really recommend customizing them to avoid looking generic. A quick hack: search “kdp cover template download” (50 searches/month) or “kdp cover size” (70 searches/month) for free interior templates online. But building your own in Canva gives you full control and a unique vibe, and frankly, I think it’s worth the effort.

Step 4: Publish Your Book on Amazon KDP

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for—getting your book live on Amazon! Here’s the step-by-step process, and it’s surprisingly straightforward:

1. Sign Up/Login: Head to kdp.amazon.com (“amazon kdp login,” 22,200 searches/month) and create an account or sign in. It’s free and takes minutes, honestly.
2. Create a New Title: From your KDP Bookshelf (“kdp bookshelf,” 12,100 searches/month), click “Create → Paperback.” You can also publish as an ebook or hardcover, but paperbacks are usually the go-to for low-content books.
3. Fill Out the Details:
   
   • Title & Subtitle: Use keywords like “Guided Gratitude Journal for Teens” or “2025 Wedding Planner Book.” Keep it under 60 characters to avoid being skipped in search results.
   • Author Name: Use your name or a pen name (e.g., “Wellness Press” for a journal brand).
   • Description: Write a 150–200-word blurb that’s emotional and keyword-rich. For example: “Transform your daily routine with this Self-Care Journal for Women, designed to spark gratitude and mindfulness. Perfect for busy moms, students, or anyone seeking calm in the chaos.”
   • Keywords: You get 7 keyword slots, each up to 50 characters. Use long-tail keywords like “guided journal for mental health,” “teacher lesson planner 2025,” or “fitness tracker log book.” Avoid duplicates or irrelevant terms like “best journal ever.”
   • Categories: Pick up to 3 categories that really match your niche (e.g., “Self-Help > Journal Writing” or “Education > Teacher Resources”). Research similar books to find the best fit, it can make a real difference.
   • ISBN: KDP provides a free ISBN, so you don’t need to buy one. Huge bonus, that.
4. Upload Files: Upload your interior PDF and cover PDF/JPG. Use KDP’s Previewer to check for errors (e.g., text cut off or blurry images). It’s a lifesaver.
5. Set Pricing: Most low-content books sell for $6.99–$9.99. After printing costs (around $2–$3 for a 120-page book), you’ll earn $2–$3 per sale at 60% royalty. Use the KDP Pricing Calculator (“amazon kdp calculator,” 590 searches/month) to optimize.
6. Hit Publish: Amazon reviews your book within 24–72 hours. Once approved, it’s live worldwide!

My first time, I was genuinely nervous hitting “Publish,” thinking I’d missed something important. But Amazon’s Previewer caught a margin issue, I fixed it pretty quickly, and my journal was live in about 48 hours. It felt like magic, honestly, seeing it there on Amazon.com!

Step 5: Boost Your Book’s Visibility with Keywords and Ads

Getting your book live is just the start, unfortunately. To actually make sales, you need to rank in Amazon’s search results. Here’s how to optimize your listing and drive traffic:

Keyword Strategy

Amazon’s algorithm (A9) prioritizes books based on relevance, sales, and reviews. Your 7 keyword slots are absolutely crucial. Based on the provided data, here are some high-impact keywords to consider:

• High-Volume Keywords: “amazon kdp” (165,000 searches), “amazon books” (368,000 searches), “amazon kindle” (201,000 searches). (These are more for general context than direct listing keywords, but good to know the overall landscape).
• Long-Tail Keywords: “how to publish a book on amazon and make money” (5,400 searches), “amazon kdp for beginners” (720 searches), “kdp cover template” (1,900 searches). These are what people are actively searching for, specifically.
• Low-Competition Gems: “amazon kdp earnings calculator” (90 searches), “kdp cover size” (70 searches), “amazon kdp niches” (10 searches). These might not get huge volume, but if you rank for them, you’re getting super targeted traffic.

Tips for Keywords:

• Use all 7 slots and aim to fill the 50-character limit with phrases like “self-care journal for women” or “guided mindfulness planner.” Be descriptive!
• Avoid banned terms like “Kindle Unlimited,” “free,” or competitor book titles. Amazon will just reject them.
• Test keywords by searching them on Amazon in an incognito window. If your book doesn’t show up, you might need to tweak them.
• Update keywords regularly based on sales reports or trends (e.g., “2025 planners” in Q4, that’s a no-brainer).

Amazon Ads

Consider running Sponsored Product Ads (“amazon kdp marketing,” 10 searches) to boost visibility. It can be a little daunting at first, but it works.

• Go to your KDP dashboard, click “Promote and Advertise,” and select “Sponsored Products.”
• Set a daily budget ($5–$10 to start, I’d suggest) and choose manual targeting.
• Add keywords like “gratitude journal” or “teacher planner.” Use negative keywords (e.g., “vegan” for a paleo diet journal) to avoid irrelevant clicks. This is important to save money.
• Set a cost-per-click (CPC) bid (start at $0.50). The keyword data shows CPCs like $2.43 for “amazon kdp” or $7.44 for “how to publish a book on amazon and make money,” so adjust based on your niche and what you can afford.

Real-World Insight: My first ad campaign cost about $10/day and got 20 clicks, with 2 sales. It wasn’t a home run, not even close, but those sales did boost my book’s ranking, which ultimately led to organic traffic. It was a learning curve, for sure.

Answering Your Burning “People Also Ask” Questions

Based on Google’s “People Also Ask” data and other sources, here are answers to the most common KDP questions:

• How do I publish a book on Amazon and make money? (5,400 searches) Follow the steps above, really: find a niche, design a cover and interior, optimize keywords, and publish via KDP. Focus on high-demand niches like “self-care journal for women” and price strategically ($6.99–$9.99) to maximize royalties. Promote with ads or social media to drive sales. It’s a continuous process, not a one-and-done thing.
• Can I make money on Amazon KDP without writing? (70 searches) Absolutely! Low-content books like journals, planners, or logbooks require minimal text. Use Canva to create interiors and focus on niches like “fitness tracker log book” or “gratitude journal for teens.” That’s the whole point, really.
• What are Amazon KDP earnings like? (3,600 searches for “amazon kdp earnings”) Royalties depend on pricing and format. An $8.99 paperback with 120 pages might net $2–$3 per sale after printing costs. Scale by publishing multiple books—10 books selling 10 copies/month each could mean $200–$300/month. As I mentioned, X posts claim earnings from $2,000 to $15,000/month for top sellers, but your mileage will definitely vary.
• How do I sign up for Amazon KDP? (1,300 searches for “amazon kdp sign up”) Go to kdp.amazon.com, click “Sign Up,” and create an account with your email. It’s free, and you can start uploading books immediately. Super simple.
• What’s the best KDP cover size? (70 searches for “kdp cover size”) Use the KDP Cover Calculator for exact dimensions (e.g., 6.125”x9.25” for a 6”x9” book with bleed). Always include front, spine, and back for paperbacks. Don’t guess on this!
• Is Amazon KDP legit? (10 searches for “amazon kdp is it legit”) Yes, KDP is Amazon’s official self-publishing platform, used by millions of authors. It’s a legitimate way to earn passive income, with no upfront costs. Just ensure your content follows KDP’s guidelines to avoid rejection, because that can happen.
• How often does Amazon KDP pay? (10 searches) KDP pays royalties monthly, about 60 days after the end of the month in which sales occur. For example, January sales are paid out in late March. You can choose direct deposit or check, and some use Payoneer for international payments.

Final Tips from Someone Who’s Been There

I started my KDP journey skeptical, thinking, “Can I really make money with this?” But after publishing my first gratitude journal, I actually saw my first sale within a week. It wasn’t life-changing money ($2.50!), but it absolutely lit a fire under me. Here’s what I’ve learned to help you succeed:

• Start Small, Think Big: Your first book doesn’t need to be a masterpiece. Create one journal, learn the process, and then iterate. My first journal was a simple lined notebook with a “Grateful For” prompt—it sold because it was clear and useful, I guess.
• Lean Into Trends: Use seasonal keywords like “2025 Teacher Planner” or timely niches like “Graduation Keepsake Journal.” Check X for what’s buzzing—users there are always buzzing about low-content books, journals, and planners. It’s good intel.
• Stack Your Books: One book might earn $10/month, but 50 books at $10/month? That’s $500. Batch-create 3–5 books in a niche (e.g., gratitude journals for moms, teens, and students) to scale your efforts.
• Track and Tweak: Use KDP’s sales reports to see which keywords actually drive sales. If “self-care journal” isn’t ranking, maybe try “mindfulness journal for anxiety.” Update keywords every 1–2 months. Don’t set it and forget it.
• Invest in Quality: A $50 Canva Pro subscription or a $199 one-time Publisher Rocket purchase can save hours and probably boost results significantly. But, you absolutely can start free with Canva’s basic plan and Amazon’s autocomplete. Don’t feel you have to spend a lot of money right away.
• Get Reviews: Ask friends, family, or followers to buy and leave honest reviews. More reviews, almost certainly, mean better rankings. You can also use KDP Select’s Free Book Promotions to drive downloads and feedback, which is a neat little trick.

Your Next Steps

You’re now armed with everything you need to publish your first low-content book on Amazon KDP. Whether it’s a “Self-Care Journal for Women,” a “2025 Teacher Planner,” or a “Fitness Tracker Log Book,” the process is fairly simple: find a niche, design a cover and interior, optimize your keywords, and then just hit publish. The keyword data really does show people are searching for this stuff—165,000 searches for “amazon kdp” and 5,400 for “how to publish a book on amazon and make money” prove there’s demand.

Got a book idea brewing? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’re working on. Or if you’re stuck on niches, keywords, or even just Canva, ask away, and I’ll share what’s worked for me. This isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, let’s be clear, but with consistency, you could absolutely be earning $100, $500, or even $2,000 a month in passive income. So, what’s stopping you? Go create that journal and let Amazon do the heavy lifting!

And don’t forget to check out our channel @danandnath on Youtube.