Keep KDP, Add Readfeed: A Multi-Channel Strategy for Indie Authors
You do not have to pick one store. The indie authors building real careers use KDP for reach and Readfeed for the readers KDP will never hand over.
Why One Channel Is Not Enough
If your entire indie publishing income flows through Amazon, you are one algorithm change away from a crisis. You do not own those readers. You cannot email them. You cannot see who they are. And you cannot convert their book club into a group purchase.
Multi-channel publishing is not about abandoning what works. It is about not betting everything on a platform that was never designed to serve authors.
The Two-Channel Model
Channel 1: Amazon KDP (Distribution)
Use KDP for what it does best: putting your book in front of Amazon's massive customer base. Kindle Unlimited, Amazon ads, and organic search remain powerful discovery tools. Keep your KDP listings optimized and your books enrolled where exclusivity makes sense.
Channel 2: Readfeed (Audience Ownership)
Use Readfeed for what KDP cannot do: direct sales at ~85% author share, automatic reader communities, book club bulk purchases, live author events, and sample-to-purchase analytics. Every sale on Readfeed is a reader you own.
How the Channels Work Together
The channels are not siloed. They feed each other:
- Back matter: Add your Readfeed community link to the back of your KDP ebook. Invite Amazon readers to join your reader community for bonus content and live events.
- Email list: Your newsletter bridges both channels. Promote your KDP titles for convenience and your Readfeed direct link for readers who want to support you directly.
- Book clubs: Clubs discover your book on Amazon or social media, then buy as a group on Readfeed where bulk discounts and community features live.
- Launch strategy: Use KDP for launch-week visibility and Readfeed for your launch party, AMA, and early reader community.
What Changes When You Add Readfeed
Authors who add Readfeed typically see three shifts:
- Higher revenue per direct sale at ~85% vs KDP's lower royalty bands
- Repeat readers who stay in your community and buy your next release
- Book club sales that KDP's individual-purchase model never captures
Getting Set Up
The setup is straightforward. Create your free author account, upload your EPUB, connect Stripe, and publish. You can be live alongside your KDP listing within a day. Readfeed's own positioning says it clearly: keep KDP, add the channel that owns your readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should indie authors sell on multiple platforms?
Yes. Relying on a single retailer puts your income and audience at risk. A multi-channel strategy uses KDP for Amazon distribution and Readfeed for direct sales, community, and book club conversion. Each channel serves a different purpose in your publishing business.
What is the Readfeed tagline for KDP authors?
Readfeed's positioning for KDP authors is "Keep KDP. Add the channel that owns your readers." The idea is to maintain Amazon distribution while building a direct-sales channel where you keep roughly 85% and own every buyer relationship.
How do I drive KDP readers to Readfeed?
Include your Readfeed author profile and community links in your back matter, email newsletter, and social media. Offer exclusive content, early access, or live events in your Readfeed community. Book clubs you connect with on Readfeed can buy direct at bulk discounts.