When it comes to self-publishing your book, there are a lot of different factors to consider. One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is whether or not to make your book exclusive to Amazon’s KDP Select program.
KDP Select is a program that offers a number of benefits to authors, including:
* **Increased visibility:** When you make your book exclusive to KDP Select, it will be eligible for Amazon’s “Kindle Unlimited” program, which gives readers unlimited access to a library of books for a monthly fee. This can lead to increased sales for your book, as it will be exposed to a wider audience.
* **Free promotional reads:** KDP Select authors are eligible to receive two “free promotional reads” per month. This means that you can give away your book for free for up to five days, and anyone who downloads your book during that time will be able to keep it even after the promotion ends. This is a great way to get your book in front of new readers and generate some buzz.
* **Enhanced royalties:** KDP Select authors earn a higher royalty rate on books sold through the Kindle Store than authors who are not enrolled in the program. This can add up to significant savings over time.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to KDP Select exclusivity. For example, if you make your book exclusive to KDP Select, you will not be able to sell it through other retailers, such as Barnes & Noble or Apple Books. This could limit your potential sales reach.
Additionally, KDP Select has a number of rules and restrictions that you must comply with in order to remain in the program. For example, you must make your book available for sale in all countries where Amazon Kindle is available, and you must update your book regularly. If you violate any of these rules, you could be removed from the program and lose all of the benefits that come with it.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to make your book exclusive to KDP Select is a personal one. There are both pros and cons to consider, and the best decision for you will depend on your individual circumstances.
### Pros of KDP Select Exclusivity
* **Increased visibility:** As mentioned above, one of the biggest benefits of KDP Select is that it can help to increase the visibility of your book. When you make your book exclusive to KDP Select, it will be eligible for Amazon’s “Kindle Unlimited” program, which gives readers unlimited access to a library of books for a monthly fee. This can lead to increased sales for your book, as it will be exposed to a wider audience.
* **Free promotional reads:** KDP Select authors are eligible to receive two “free promotional reads” per month. This means that you can give away your book for free for up to five days, and anyone who downloads your book during that time will be able to keep it even after the promotion ends. This is a great way to get your book in front of new readers and generate some buzz.
* **Enhanced royalties:** KDP Select authors earn a higher royalty rate on books sold through the Kindle Store than authors who are not enrolled in the program. This can add up to significant savings over time.
### Cons of KDP Select Exclusivity
* **Limited sales reach:** One of the biggest drawbacks of KDP Select exclusivity is that it can limit your sales reach. When you make your book exclusive to KDP Select, you will not be able to sell it through other retailers, such as Barnes & Noble or Apple Books. This could limit your potential sales reach.
* **Strict rules and restrictions:** KDP Select has a number of rules and restrictions that you must comply with in order to remain in the program. For example, you must make your book available for sale in all countries where Amazon Kindle is available, and you must update your book regularly. If you violate any of these rules, you could be removed from the program and lose all of the benefits that come with it.
* **No control over pricing:** When you make your book exclusive to KDP Select, you do not have control over the price of your book. Amazon sets the price for your book, and you cannot change it. This can be a disadvantage if you want to set a higher price for your book.
### Conclusion
The decision of whether or not to make your book exclusive to KDP Select is a personal one. There are both pros and cons to consider, and the best decision for you will depend on your individual circumstances. If you’re not sure what to do, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons carefully and make a decision that you’re comfortable with.
### Additional resources
* [KDP Select program page](https://kdp.amazon.com/en
