Ebook

How Profitable Is An Ebook? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 5th, 2024

How Profitable Is An Ebook? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start an ebook?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are ebooks actually profitable?”

With a market size of $15.6B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a ebook with as low as $99
Based on our data, ebooks generate an average of $1.88M per year
You could see gross margins as high as 95% with ebooks

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a ebook.

Let’s dive in!

Is an ebook profitable?

Yes, an ebook is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $1.88M per year with an estimated gross margin of 65%, you could expect to recover your investment within 7 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your ebook.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your ebook is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is an ebook worth it?

If you’re wondering if a ebook is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With ebooks, you have the potential to earn $1.88M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $15.6B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a ebook to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful ebooks case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Ebooks

Here are a few examples of profitable ebooks, and a few more details about them:

1. The Landing Page Cookbook ($78K/year)

When David was invited by his friends to join their startup full-time as the head of marketing and sales, he did not want to leave behind his freelance consulting, which had a consistent inflow of leads.

So, he decided to build a digital product, turning it into the Landing Page Cookbook—a Do-It-Yourself version of the service he used to provide.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 95%
How much money it makes: $78K/year

David Built a $78K eBook For Online Marketers

Learn how David Oudiette's "Landing Page Cookbook" generated an average of $6.5K/month, helping over 100 startups improve their landing page strategies and user experience, priced at $39.

Read this case study

Read by 405 founders

2. PM-by-PM ($204K/year)

Praveen Malik, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), started his eponymous blog, Project Management by Praveen Malik, in 2014 to enhance his reputation in the professional training world. Over time, Malik learned about blog monetization and transformed his classroom training into an online business, selling his own eBooks and marketing third-party project management training programs through his blog. The blog has grown substantially since its inception, with an average revenue of about $17K per month and a target of achieving 100% revenue growth by the end of next year.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $204K/year

How I Started A $17K/Month Business Selling Project Management Ebooks And Courses

Praveen Malik shares how he started a $17k per month project management blog business in 2016 with negligible revenue, and grew his gross profit margin to about 80% by selling his own eBooks and marketing third-party training programs through his blog.

Read this case study

Read by 11,429 founders

3. Stray Curls ($54K/year)

Angela, the founder of the blog Stray Curls, turned her passion for illustration and creativity into a profitable online business. Her skills in computer science, graphic design, and illustration came in handy in creating a unique blog that helps young women establish creative online businesses.

With her colorful illustrations and engaging content, Angela has built a loyal following. She continues to grow her business by using email marketing and creating digital products that cater to her audience's needs.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $54K/year
How much did it cost to start: $99

How I Started A $4.5K/Month Blog Helping Young Women Build Creative Online Businesses

Angela shares how she turned her love for creating comics, drawings and graphic design into a successful blog and business that helps young women build creative online businesses, earning $4.5k a month on her blog and selling digital products.

Read this case study

Read by 8,349 founders

Learn more about starting an ebook:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start an ebook?
-> Pros and cons of an ebook

Need inspiration?

-> Other ebook success stories
-> Marketing ideas for an ebook

Other resources

How much can you make with an ebook?

With a ebook, you can make an average of $1.88M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $99. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 7 months.

How much does a ebook make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a ebook ranges around $39.3K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $157K.

To know if your ebook achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your ebook.

How much do ebooks owners make?

The income of an ebook owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established ebook is about $39.3K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as an ebook owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Ebook Profit Margins

Generally speaking, an ebook can expect profit margin of around 65%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of an ebook, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, ebook owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, ebook owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Ebook owner salary

The salary of an ebook owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established ebook, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $25.5K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a ebook may be a promising business to start - but the success of your ebook mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable ebook.

Part of

Writeing An Ebook: Everything You Need To Know

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