How to Reach 90% of the World's Readers With Just 3 Publishing Platforms
One of the most exciting aspects of independent publishing today is the incredible reach you can achieve. Books we've helped publish are now available in countries we've never even visited. The technology has made global distribution not just possible, but surprisingly simple.
You don't need dozens of accounts, complicated distribution deals, or a traditional publisher's network. You can reach 90% or more of the world's readers using just three main platforms.
Platform #1: Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon started as an online bookstore, and they revolutionized the publishing industry by giving authors direct access to readers through KDP.
Why KDP matters:
KDP combines both ebook and paperback publishing under one umbrella (they merged their former CreateSpace paperback platform into KDP). This is where you'll likely make the most money from your ebooks.
The numbers speak for themselves: If you price your ebook between $2.99 and $9.99, you earn 70% royalty on each sale. We know traditionally published authors—New York Times bestsellers—who left their publishers specifically because of the earning potential through KDP.
Think about that. These were authors with major publishing deals who decided they'd make more money publishing directly to Amazon.
Platform #2: Ingram Spark
Ingram Spark is a division of Ingram, which is the distribution platform used by almost all the major traditional publishers. When you publish through Ingram Spark, you're using the same infrastructure as the big publishing houses.
Why we love Ingram Spark:
Better print quality: The paper quality is as good or better than KDP's current paperback offerings.
Wider distribution: Ingram Spark distributes to markets that KDP doesn't reach. We have an author with family in India, and Amazon doesn't distribute paperbacks there. Through Ingram Spark, her books are available worldwide, including India.
Professional options: They offer a wider variety of trim sizes and binding options, including hardcover publishing for independent authors.
Who uses Ingram Spark: We've been using them for years for all our hardbacks and most of the illustrated children's books, and we're now shifting a lot of our paperback publishing to this platform.
Ingram Spark is designed for small to medium-sized publishers and self-published authors who want professional-quality books and serious distribution.
Platform #3: Draft2Digital
Here's something important to know about Amazon: they don't distribute ebooks to other retailers. They want all the ebook sales for themselves.
That means if you only publish on KDP, your ebook won't be available on:
Apple Books (iBookstore)
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Sony Reader
Public libraries
And dozens of other ebook retailers worldwide
That's where Draft2Digital comes in.
Draft2Digital distributes your ebook to all these other platforms. You upload your ebook to Draft2Digital once, and they handle distribution to the retailers that Amazon won't touch.
Why we use Draft2Digital:
We've been using them for years, and our philosophy is simple: if it's not broken, why fix it? They work reliably, they distribute widely, and they pay directly to authors every single month.
Draft2Digital has become the industry standard for ebook distribution beyond Amazon, providing seamless access to all the major retailers and library systems.
The Best Part: Monthly Payments
All three of these platforms pay royalties directly to you every single month in which you sold books. No waiting for quarterly statements. No wondering if you'll ever see your money. No complex publisher accounting.
You publish. Readers buy. You get paid. Every month.
This is one of the biggest advantages of independent publishing—you have complete transparency into your sales and immediate access to your earnings.
What About Getting Into Bookstores?
If physical bookstore distribution is important to you, Ingram Spark is your answer. Because they're the distribution backbone for traditional publishers, bookstores already have relationships with Ingram. Your independently published book can be orderable through the same system bookstores use for traditionally published titles.
Does this guarantee bookstores will stock your book? No. You'll still need to do the work of building relationships with local bookstores and creating demand. But the distribution infrastructure is there when you need it.
The Technology Has Changed Everything
Twenty years ago, reaching international markets as an independent author was nearly impossible. Today, an author in Milwaukee can have their book available to readers in Mumbai, Manchester, and Melbourne—all on the same day they publish.
The last few years have accelerated this trend even further. Millions of new readers have embraced digital reading and online book buying. The platforms are mature, reliable, and author-friendly.
You're not too late. You haven't missed the opportunity.
In fact, we believe the opportunity for independent authors is bigger and bolder than it's ever been.
Your Publishing Strategy
Here's how we typically structure publishing for our authors:
Ebooks: Publish to both KDP and Draft2Digital to maximize reach
Paperbacks: Use Ingram Spark for quality and distribution and KDP for Amazon direct sales
Hardbacks: Use Ingram Spark for quality and various cover options
This three-platform approach gives you the widest possible distribution with the best quality and royalty rates.
Ready to Go Global?
With these three platforms, you have everything you need to make your book available to readers anywhere in the world. No gatekeepers. No geographic limitations. No waiting for a traditional publisher to decide your book is worthy of international distribution.
The technology is ready. The platforms are waiting. The only question is: are you ready to reach readers around the world?
Want to learn more about navigating these platforms and publishing your book?
Join us at our workshops at 40dayworkshops.com