It's a great way to start building an Amazon business and earn some money to sell books on Amazon. The best thing is that you don't need a large initial investment. In fact, by selling your old, dusty books, you can get started for free.
Prior to beginning your bookselling journey on Amazon, ensure that your Amazon Seller Central account is set up and select your preferred order fulfillment method: FBA, FBM, or both!
How to find books to sell on Amazon?
Selling used books that you already own is a great way to get started selling books on Amazon, but it won't last long because you'll eventually run out of books or your current inventory won't be suitable for resale.
Enter dimensional weight—a strategic move by Amazon and shipping companies alike. It's not just about the heft of your product; it's a dance within the physical confines of shipping trucks. Logical, right? Sellers are charged based on the total volume their product occupies, a spatial symphony where every inch matters.
In case you were wondering, it is indeed acceptable and lawful to resell used books and other products on Amazon. However, bear in mind that selling specific books or authors may not be permitted on your account.
One of the greatest things about selling used books on Amazon is that you can usually find them for a very low price. Here are six common ways to find used books on Amazon to resell:
Option #1: Make sales of your own books
This is probably the easiest method for finding books to sell, and it's how most sellers begin. Check to see if there are any old books gathering dust in your home.
Examine textbooks, uncommon subjects, specialized subjects like vintage comic books, or other non-fiction literature. Fiction books published in large quantities usually don't make sense to sell on Amazon because they depreciate more quickly than non-fiction books.
Option #2: Arbitrage online
Not in the mood to go out? Some retailers search for books on websites other than Amazon that are less expensive than what they could charge for the same book on Amazon. We refer to this as "online arbitrage."
All you have to do is order the book at a discounted price from a single website, bide your time until it gets delivered, and then list it on Amazon at a premium.
Option #3: Buying in bulk or wholesale
Online retailers frequently offer huge discounts on entire book collections. At discounted prices, you can purchase entire lots or even truckloads of used books listed on Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook. Make sure the books you purchase haven't been sorted or scanned if you choose this course of action. If so, you might be purchasing "duds" from other Amazon sellers that don't make money for the platform.
Option #4: Sales of libraries
Book sales sometimes resemble treasure hunts. Additionally, book sales are always taking place, particularly at libraries.
Bring a book scanner to these sales and use it to identify some good candidates for listing on Amazon. You can locate profitable books at these sales far more quickly than the competition if you use a bluetooth scanner and a book scanning app.
After deducting Amazon fees and product costs, scanning apps can help you calculate your possible profit on Amazon.
Option #5: Free books
Look through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist; there's always someone trying to give away books for free. To get them, all you need to do is go.
Please exercise caution, as other vendors who are trying to get rid of their unsold books may list these free books.
Option #6: Closing sales of stores
Finding books at estate sales, closing sales, and moving sales is a great idea because huge volumes of books will be sold all at once. Offers on complete collections are typically accepted for cents on the dollar.
Top-Selling Book Types on Amazon
Type #1: Textbooks
Textbooks stand out as the undisputed champions in the realm of used books on Amazon. Their perpetual demand, especially during the fall and spring seasons, coupled with consistently high prices, makes them the "gold standard" for sellers. It's noteworthy, however, that a potential challenge arises with textbooks, as some publishers employ "brand gating" to restrict non-certified sellers from offering both new and used copies. Therefore, it's crucial to verify your ability to sell a specific textbook in your seller account before making a purchase.
Type #2: Comic books
Embrace the world of comic book sales on Amazon, where both individual issues and graphic novels thrive. This diverse category experiences robust performance, and if you possess collectible editions, you stand to secure a respectable profit.
Type #3: Non-Fiction books
In the Amazon resale market, non-fiction takes the lead, showcasing stronger performance compared to fiction. While this isn't to discredit the potential of fiction sales, my experience suggests that fiction books often experience a quicker depreciation in value compared to their non-fiction counterparts.
Type #4: Collectibles books
Delve into the allure of collectibles on Amazon, where first edition books, signed copies, and any tome deemed "collectible" enjoy popularity. However, it's crucial to exercise due diligence and confirm your eligibility to sell any collectible items you encounter on the Amazon platform.
Type #5: Niche books and Harcovers
Titles with limited print runs and belonging to expansive collections find success on Amazon, capitalizing on a scarcity of competitors. Inherent to hardcovers is their elevated price point compared to paperback counterparts, contributing to their ability to retain value more effectively over time.
Track the Best Seller Rankings of Books on Amazon
Every product showcased on Amazon boasts a unique 'Best Sellers Rank' (BSR). The lower this numerical rank, the more frequently the product finds itself in the hands of buyers.
To illustrate, a book reigning supreme at #1 on Amazon enjoys a daily surge in sales, often reaching into the hundreds. Employ tools like the AmzMonitor BSR rank tracker for a comprehensive overview of your books' rankings. Targeting books with a BSR below 100,000 might significantly enhances the prospect of a sale within a week. Naturally, this timeframe remains contingent on the competitive landscape within the listing.
Evaluate Your Potential Amazon Revenue and Amazon Profit
Once you've identified a promising book based on its rank, the next crucial step involves estimating your potential profit. As previously mentioned, you can leverage a book scanner app or the Amazon Seller app to assess your profitability—both reliable options.
Alternatively, consider utilizing the AmzMonitor free FBA Revenue Calculator . By inputting the ASIN or ISBN of the book you intend to sell, along with your associated costs, the calculator will furnish you with a breakdown of the fees you'll incur and the potential profit you stand to gain.
Concluding remarks
In conclusion, starting an Amazon business by selling books is a feasible and potentially lucrative venture, especially for those looking to begin with minimal initial investment. Whether you choose to sell your own books, explore online arbitrage, buy in bulk, attend library sales, obtain free books, or explore closing sales of stores, there are various avenues to source inventory.
The top-selling book types on Amazon, including textbooks, comic books, non-fiction books, collectibles, and niche hardcovers, offer diverse opportunities for sellers. However, it's crucial to be aware of potential restrictions on certain books due to brand gating or collectible status. Monitoring Best Seller Rankings (BSR) through tools like AmzMonitor can help you identify promising books with high sales potential.
Lastly, evaluating potential Amazon revenue and profit is essential. Utilizing book scanner apps, the Amazon Seller app, or tools like the AmzMonitor FBA Revenue Calculator can assist in estimating costs, fees, and potential profits. By staying informed and strategic in your approach, you can navigate the world of book selling on Amazon and build a successful business over time.