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Let’s be honest—who doesn’t want a bit of extra money coming in while you sleep? That’s the beauty of passive income: you put in the work upfront, and then it keeps earning money for you long after. And when it comes to Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), most people think of journals and notebooks as their go-to products, but there’s so much more you can do.
I’m not here to give you the same old advice. Instead, I’ll show you five unique ways to earn passive income with Amazon KDP that you might not have thought of before.
Earn Passive Income with Amazon KDP!
1. Create Self-Guided Prompt Books for Hobbies
We all know how popular adult colouring books became a few years ago. But it’s time to think beyond colouring. How about creating self-guided prompt books for hobbies? These could be anything from knitting project logs to gardening journals or even sketchbooks designed for specific art techniques.
People are always looking for ways to track their progress or get a bit of inspiration, and these types of books are low-content but still very valuable.
Let’s say you create a book for keen knitters. You could include sections for them to log their projects, jot down yarn details, and even add prompts for creating custom designs.
Once you've designed the book, you simply upload it to KDP, and that’s it. The hobbyists take it from there, and you just watch the sales come in.
Why it works: Hobbies are huge, and niche markets always have dedicated followers. The more specific you get with your niche, the better chance you have of standing out.
2. Publish Public Domain Books with a Modern Twist
This is a really clever way to generate passive income on Amazon KDP without needing to write anything from scratch. There are thousands of classic books and texts that are in the public domain (think Jane Austen, Shakespeare, or even old cookbooks). These works can be republished by anyone because their copyright has expired.
So, where’s the opportunity? You can take a classic text and give it a fresh spin. For example, you could create a beautifully designed edition of a classic novel, adding new illustrations, modern fonts, or even extra annotations to make it more appealing to today’s readers. Another idea? Turn old cookbooks into modern cooking guides with updated measurements and techniques.
Why it works: Classic literature is always popular, but people are constantly looking for modern editions with beautiful covers or added extras. This taps into an already established audience.
3. Niche Puzzle Books for Adults and Kids
Puzzle books are often overlooked when people think about Amazon KDP, but they can be a fantastic way to earn passive income. We’re not talking about generic crosswords or Sudoku here (although those can work too). The trick is to get niche. Think about specific themes like geography puzzles for kids, word searches related to travel, or even logic puzzles aimed at engineers.
Here’s a fun idea: if you’ve got an audience in mind (e.g., young kids interested in space), create a series of word searches or crosswords about planets, astronauts, and space exploration. Make it educational and fun. You’d be surprised how quickly niche puzzle books sell, especially when they target a specific group.
Once the puzzles are created, they’re easy to upload and publish. And because puzzle books are low-content, they’re fairly quick to produce.
Why it works: Niche puzzle books appeal to specific audiences who are looking for something a bit different. Plus, they’re evergreen—people always love a good puzzle!
4. DIY Planner Kits with Downloadable Templates
Okay, so I know we said we wouldn’t focus on planners, but hear me out—what about taking the idea of a planner one step further? Instead of selling a ready-made planner, you could create a DIY planner kit where customers get access to downloadable templates. This way, they can print out the pages they need and assemble their own custom planner.
You can offer a variety of templates within the book itself or provide a link where customers can download additional pages. Think meal-planning kits, budgeting templates, or fitness tracking sheets that people can print and customise themselves. By adding a few instructions and tips, you can turn this into a valuable resource that people will love.
Why it works: DIY kits are all about personalisation. People love to create something that’s tailored to their own needs, and a DIY planner kit gives them the flexibility to do just that. Plus, digital downloads mean you’re adding extra value, making your book stand out on KDP.
5. Recipe Notebooks for Specific Diets or Lifestyles
If you’re into food, here’s a fantastic idea for generating passive income—create recipe notebooks for specific diets or lifestyles. Everyone knows the market is flooded with keto and vegan cookbooks, but what about taking it a step further by creating a recipe notebook that’s tailored to a niche?
Think of a keto dessert recipe notebook, a gluten-free snack journal, or even a vegan meal planner. The twist here is that instead of providing full recipes, you offer blank spaces for users to jot down their own recipes, ideas, and experiments. You can include prompts like “favourite substitutions” or “my best low-carb bake.”
These books are incredibly simple to produce, and once they’re uploaded to KDP, you’re essentially hands-off. You don’t even need to write the recipes—just structure the notebook in a way that helps people track and record their culinary adventures.
Why it works: There’s a growing demand for niche diets and lifestyle books. People love keeping track of their own creations, and these notebooks tap into a very specific market.
Passive Income with Amazon KDP is About Creativity
Generating passive income with Amazon KDP doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive. Yes, journals and notebooks work, but if you’re willing to think outside the box, you can find unique ways to stand out in the market. Whether it’s publishing a beautifully designed public domain book or helping people track their hobbies, there’s plenty of room for creative ideas.
The key to success on Amazon KDP is to know your audience, create products they’ll love, and keep it simple. Once your products are live, they’ll continue to sell without much extra work on your part.
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