How to Sell Books on Amazon: Complete Beginners Guide for 2024

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Selling books on Amazon is a fantastic way to make some cash - and even to start building an Amazon business. The best part is, you don’t need a lot of money to start. In fact, you can get started for free by selling your old books that are collecting dust. While this article is geared more towards those who want to make money reselling used books on Amazon, this is also great for authors or those looking to sell new books on Amazon. Before you start learning how to sell books on Amazon, make sure you have your Amazon Seller Central account created and choose how you’ll want to fulfill your orders - either FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) or FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant).

How do you find books to sell on Amazon?

A great place to start selling books on Amazon is by selling old books that are already in your possession - but that will or, the books you have are not good for resale. And if you’re wondering, yes, reselling used books (and other products on Amazon) is perfectly legal and okay to do so on Amazon. Though keep in mind that your account may be restricted in selling certain publications or authors - we’ll go over this more.

The best part about selling used books on Amazon is that you can typically source them for pennies on the dollar. Especially when you find something like a textbook for $1 at a library sale that sells for $50+ used on Amazon. Here are six of the most popular methods for finding used books to resell on Amazon:

  1. Sell your own books

This one is probably the simplest way to find books to sell and it’s how many sellers get started. Look around your house and see if you have some old books collecting dust. Consider textbooks, rare topics, niche topics such as old comic books, or other non-fiction books. Mass-produced fiction books tend to lose their value faster than non-fiction books so they’re typically not worth selling on Amazon.

  1. Book/library sales

Book sales can be kind of like hunting for treasure. Plus, there’s always a book sale going on somewhere, especially at libraries. Head to these sales with a book scanner and look for some picks that would be good to list on Amazon. By using a bluetooth scanner along with a book scanning app, you’ll be able to find profitable books much faster than the competition at these sales.

  1. Thrift stores

Thrift stores are a great place to find used books to resell on Amazon. You can find some great deals on books at thrift stores, especially if you go on days when they have sales or discounts.

  1. Garage sales

Garage sales are another great place to find used books to resell on Amazon. People often sell their old books at garage sales, and you can usually find some great deals.

  1. Online marketplaces

Online marketplaces like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace are great places to find used books to resell on Amazon. You can find some great deals on books on these sites, especially if you’re willing to negotiate.

  1. Wholesale suppliers

Wholesale suppliers are a great place to find used books to resell on Amazon. You can find some great deals on books from wholesale suppliers, especially if you’re willing to buy in bulk.

How to list books on Amazon

The easiest way to do this is to go to the actual product detail page for the book you want to list. That’s right - you can actually list your books from the Amazon page itself instead of creating an entirely new listing. Then, once you list your book, it appears on the same listing along with the other sellers.

Here’s an example:

To access the product listing page, type in the book’s ISBN (which is the book’s registration code) under “Add Products” in Seller Central or on the Amazon page. Or, if you know the books ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number), you can use that instead. You can usually find the ISBN either on the barcode or somewhere inside the book’s dust jacket. However, if the book was printed before 1970, it won’t have an ISBN. In that case, you’ll have to enter the title manually. Scroll down to the product details on the listing of the book you want to sell to find the ASIN. Then search for that book in Seller Central. On the next page, choose the condition of the book then click “Sell this product”.

From there, enter the following information:

  • SKU. This is your own personal code for the book. This can be whatever you want it to be, though it’s best if it’s something that will help you remember it. If you leave it blank, Amazon randomly generates one for you.
  • Price. I recommend pricing the book based on the condition of the book. For example, books of ‘Acceptable’ quality usually sell for less than books of ‘Very Good’ value. Don’t automatically match the lowest price as it may cause a ‘race to the bottom.’ If your book is in good condition, it will usually sell even if there is a cheaper, lower quality option.
  • Quantity. If you have more than one copy of a book, enter the total quantity here. Otherwise, it defaults to one unit.
  • Condition. There are five conditions for Amazon books: ‘New’, ‘Like new’, ‘Very good’, ‘Good’, and ‘Acceptable’. If you can sell Collectible books (see FAQs), you will also have options for: Like new, Very good, Good, and Acceptable books. I don’t recommend ever listing a book in ‘New’ condition—even if it is in perfect condition.
Selling books on Amazon is a great way to make money, whether you’re reselling used books or selling new books as an author. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can start selling books on Amazon in no time. Remember to do your research, choose the right selling plan, and list your books in the right categories to increase your chances of success. With a little hard work and dedication, you can build a successful Amazon business selling books.