When it comes to self-publishing, authors have a lot of decisions to make. One of the most important decisions is which publishing platform to use. Two popular options are KDP and IngramSpark. Although the two platforms are similar in many ways, there are some important differences to consider.
Pricing Model
KDP and IngramSpark have different pricing models. KDP offers authors a royalty of up to 70% on books sold through Amazon. IngramSpark offers a standard retail discount of 40% and a variable royalty of 5-10%.
Print On Demand (POD)
KDP offers print-on-demand (POD) services while IngramSpark does not. This means that authors who use KDP can print books as they are ordered, while authors who use IngramSpark must purchase a minimum quantity of books upfront.
Bookstore Distribution
KDP does not offer bookstore distribution, while IngramSpark does. This means that authors who use KDP can only sell their books through Amazon, while authors who use IngramSpark can also sell their books in bookstores.
eBook Formats
KDP supports two eBook formats – Kindle and EPUB. IngramSpark supports more than 20 eBook formats, including Kindle and EPUB.
Marketing Tools
KDP offers marketing tools such as Amazon Advertising and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Select. IngramSpark does not offer any marketing tools.
Customer Service
KDP and IngramSpark both offer customer service. KDP offers customer service by phone, email, and chat. IngramSpark offers customer service by phone and email.
Payment Options
KDP and IngramSpark have different payment options. KDP pays authors twice a month and offers payment through Amazon gift cards or direct deposit. IngramSpark pays authors twice a month and offers payment through check, PayPal, or direct deposit.
Ease of Use
KDP and IngramSpark both have easy-to-use interfaces. KDP is generally considered the simpler of the two platforms, while IngramSpark has more features.
Pricing
KDP is free to use, while IngramSpark charges a setup fee of $49. KDP also charges a delivery fee when books are sold through Amazon, while IngramSpark does not.
Conclusion
KDP and IngramSpark are both popular publishing platforms for self-publishing authors. The two platforms have different features and pricing models, so authors should carefully consider which platform best meets their needs.
In general, KDP is best for authors who want to sell their books through Amazon, while IngramSpark is best for authors who want to sell their books in bookstores. KDP is also free to use, while IngramSpark charges a setup fee. Ultimately, the best platform for any author depends on their individual needs and preferences.
