When I first started self-publishing on Amazon KDP, I was excited. I poured my heart into writing an ebook titled The Failure Paradox, all about overcoming the fear of failure—a topic I’m genuinely passionate about. I ran ads, gathered reviews, and even used powerful AI tools to help with the writing and design.
But here’s the painful truth: it didn’t sell.
Not even the ads worked—barely a click. And after weeks of effort, I had to take a hard look at why my ebook failed.
It turns out, the problem wasn’t the writing. It wasn’t the formatting. And it certainly wasn’t a lack of effort. The problem was the topic.
Why Broad Ebook Topics Fail (and What To Do Instead)
Writing an ebook is one of the easiest and most profitable digital products you can create. It costs very little to produce and can become a long-term source of passive income. But here's the key: you have to niche down.
My original topic—overcoming failure—was simply too broad. Search Amazon for “failure” and you’ll see thousands of results. Even if your book is excellent, it’s hard to stand out in such a crowded space.
So I made a bold move.
I decided to write a new ebook—but this time, I focused on something specific and personal.
The Power of Niching Down: My Second Ebook
Instead of writing another generic self-help book, I leaned into something I had real experience with: starting a YouTube channel over age 50.
The new ebook was titled Unplugged: Starting a YouTube Channel After 50. Same tools, same author, totally different results. Why? Because this topic is clear, focused, and solves a specific problem for a specific audience.
Tools I Used to Create My Ebook
If you’re wondering how to write your own ebook (even if you’ve never done it before), here are the exact tools I used:
1. Designrr
Designrr is a simple, powerful tool for creating and formatting your ebook. I don’t use the highest tier plan—instead, I pay around $98/year for the version that includes AI writing, templates, and cover design tools. It’s been more than worth it.
2. Word Genie (Designrr’s AI Writer)
This AI-powered writing assistant helped me generate rough drafts. But here’s the important part: I always edit the content to make it my own. The goal is to enhance your voice, not replace it with AI.
3. Canva for Ebook Covers
While Designrr offers cover templates, I personally prefer Canva. I designed a custom, high-contrast ebook cover using Canva’s recommended Kindle dimensions (2560 x 1600 pixels). I also made sure to modify templates enough to stay copyright-compliant and original.
Mistakes I Made the First Time (So You Can Avoid Them)
Too many edits: I over-customized the first book in Designrr, which slowed down publishing. Changing bold text or page formatting often required manual fixes across the entire document.
Generic topic: As mentioned, overcoming failure is an important topic, but it’s also oversaturated. You need a unique angle.
Didn’t leverage links: The second time around, I added a clickable link to my website and podcast right in the ebook footer—an easy way to drive traffic and provide more value.
Creating Your Own Ebook That Actually Sells
Here’s a simple step-by-step breakdown you can follow:
Choose a Niche You Know PersonallyWrite about something you’ve lived, experienced, or are deeply passionate about. Broad topics rarely sell unless you’re a known name.
Use AI Tools, but Make It YoursAI tools like Word Genie or ChatGPT can help brainstorm, draft, and outline—but your voice is what brings the ebook to life.
Format It for KDPDesignrr lets you export to Kindle format or PDF for print. Make sure your chapters start on new pages and check for consistent formatting throughout.
Create a Bold CoverUse Canva to design a cover that stands out in thumbnail form. Use YouTube-inspired colors or branding if relevant to your topic.
Upload to Amazon KDPChoose whether to publish as an ebook, print book, or both. I recommend both.
Gather Reviews and Run AdsOnce your book is live, send it to beta readers, ask for feedback, and begin running Amazon ads (but only if your book is well-targeted!).
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Afraid To Start Over
Creating an ebook is more than just hitting “publish.” It’s about connecting with a specific audience and solving a real problem. If your ebook isn’t selling, don’t get discouraged—step back and reassess your niche.
Once I did that, everything changed.
Want help getting started? I’ve created free templates, checklists, and a PDF guide to help you publish your first ebook the right way.
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