My 1st Activity Book and Costs Breakdown (KDP Blog: Jan 19, 2024)

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Abstract

his year, I have adopted a more hands-off approach to my KDP business, focusing on:</p><ul><li>Researching niches</li><li>Delegating tasks to my VA and other freelancers</li><li>Managing my VA</li><li>Monitoring my ad campaigns</li><li>Conducting keyword research and uploading books</li><li>Improving my skills</li></ul><h1 id="bb03">The Current Project and Its Costs</h1><p id="cd1c">Last year, I asked a designer (my then VA) to create an activity book using software I had purchased. He designed both the cover and the interior. Unfortunately, the book did not succeed. The niche is highly lucrative, and I realise my book failed because it was not as good as the competition.</p><p id="e0c3">The activity book I am currently working on aims to significantly improve upon the previous book and will be released as a brand new book. Here is a breakdown of the costs incurred so far:</p><h2 id="0921">Book research: $15</h2><p id="18c6">I paid my VA$ 15 to conduct a thorough analysis to identify the reasons behind the original book’s failure. He compared my book with others on Amazon and concluded that it was not up to par, especially compared to other books in the niche. He also identified ways to improve both the cover and interior.</p><h2 id="aab9">Book cover: $40</h2><p id="4225">My VA began working on a revamped cover, following a brief I sent him outlining my vision for the cover and the design styles I prefer.

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He created three different rough drafts. I have not chosen one yet for him to work on, as I think it will be better to complete the interior first. So, the cover is postponed for now.</p><h2 id="7588">Book interior: $33 so far</h2><p id="9a23">My VA is using the activity-generating software to create a 110-page interior. I provided a detailed brief on my expectations for the interior and encouraged him to share any creative ideas. He proposed several ideas for a distinct and improved interior, and I approved them. These additional details are expected to cost around$ 30 more.</p><h2 id="609f">Element designs: $150</h2><p id="41be">During his initial research, my VA noted that one of the shortcomings of my previous book’s interior was the lack of cohesive design elements. The original designer used graphics from Freepik, which were mismatched due to varying designers. Consequently, based on my VA’s assessment, I hired a freelancer on Upwork to create 100 cohesive design elements for$ 150.</p><h2 id="a25e">Total project cost:</h2><p id="20e0">The total cost for this activity book project is expected to be around $287, including PayPal and Upwork fees. While I am uncertain of the final outcome and whether the book will be successful upon release, I can confidently say that I am delighted to have ventured into the world of activity and colouring books. Plus, the process has been enjoyable!</p></article></body>

My 1st Activity Book and Costs Breakdown (KDP Blog: Jan 19, 2024)

Over the last several days, I have fully immersed myself in activity books, a niche I had never fully explored before. In a December blog post (or perhaps it was in a YouTube video), I mentioned that I planned to publish colouring and activity books in 2024.

I have started doing just that, and I must say, I am thoroughly enjoying it! Since beginning my KDP journey in 2019, I have mainly published log books and journals. Now, I feel the natural progression is to start producing colouring and activity books, as these types of books often yield greater rewards.

I believe what held me back all these years from fully delving into these types of books was fear — the fear of the challenges in producing such books, the investment that is often required, and the possibility of failure. I am delighted to have overcome this fear and am currently creating my first activity book, hopefully with many more to follow.

This year, I have adopted a more hands-off approach to my KDP business, focusing on:

Researching niches

Delegating tasks to my VA and other freelancers

Managing my VA

Monitoring my ad campaigns

Conducting keyword research and uploading books

Improving my skills

The Current Project and Its Costs

Last year, I asked a designer (my then VA) to create an activity book using software I had purchased. He designed both the cover and the interior. Unfortunately, the book did not succeed. The niche is highly lucrative, and I realise my book failed because it was not as good as the competition.

The activity book I am currently working on aims to significantly improve upon the previous book and will be released as a brand new book. Here is a breakdown of the costs incurred so far:

Book research: $15

I paid my VA $15 to conduct a thorough analysis to identify the reasons behind the original book’s failure. He compared my book with others on Amazon and concluded that it was not up to par, especially compared to other books in the niche. He also identified ways to improve both the cover and interior.

Book cover: $40

My VA began working on a revamped cover, following a brief I sent him outlining my vision for the cover and the design styles I prefer. He created three different rough drafts. I have not chosen one yet for him to work on, as I think it will be better to complete the interior first. So, the cover is postponed for now.

Book interior: $33 so far

My VA is using the activity-generating software to create a 110-page interior. I provided a detailed brief on my expectations for the interior and encouraged him to share any creative ideas. He proposed several ideas for a distinct and improved interior, and I approved them. These additional details are expected to cost around $30 more.

Element designs: $150

During his initial research, my VA noted that one of the shortcomings of my previous book’s interior was the lack of cohesive design elements. The original designer used graphics from Freepik, which were mismatched due to varying designers. Consequently, based on my VA’s assessment, I hired a freelancer on Upwork to create 100 cohesive design elements for $150.

Total project cost:

The total cost for this activity book project is expected to be around $287, including PayPal and Upwork fees. While I am uncertain of the final outcome and whether the book will be successful upon release, I can confidently say that I am delighted to have ventured into the world of activity and colouring books. Plus, the process has been enjoyable!