The Importance Of Psychology In The Business Of Freelancing
Psychology isn’t just for big brands. Freelancers can use it too. Learn how to connect better, market smarter, and grow your business.
3 minutes
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Why are we starting this series? Because there’s money to be made from the skills we’ve been honing and the talents we’ve nurtured, and 2025 is the year to make it happen.
I’ve met countless beginner writers, freelancers, and people looking to make passive income through digital products. This curiosity led me to research ways they can make money in 2025, and that’s when I stumbled onto the world of self-publishing.
I’d heard about it before, but I didn’t realise just how massive the self-publishing community was or how much money some people were making on platforms like Amazon KDP and Kobo Writing Life. After diving in, I gathered all the insights you need to know. And because we don’t gatekeep, I’m sharing it all with you.
This post is for you if:
Let’s dive in.
He’s a fellow writer who has been self-publishing professionally for three years. He writes and publishes on both Amazon KDP and Kobo, and he also ghostwrites for other authors. I first noticed him through a comment he made on a LinkedIn post, which led me to reach out and ask if he had time to chat about making passive income from writing.
We ended up on a call, talking about all things writing. We both agreed that, despite its popularity, writing remains an untapped market. Anyone can learn to write. There are techniques, books, millions of YouTube videos, courses, and countless coaches ready to help you start a writing career within weeks or months.
While this is great news, it also means you’ll face plenty of competition. Take Upwork, for example. If you search freelance writers on the platform, you’ll find endless results.
So, how do you stand out? How do you avoid being kicked out of the game before you even start?
The short answer is: know the business of writing. The long answer is what Gabriel and I discussed in detail. Understanding the business of writing is what separates successful self-publishers from those who don’t make it.
Gabriel and I touched on Amazon KDP and Kobo, two excellent platforms for starting your writing business. One thing these platforms don’t compromise on is quality. You can’t publish subpar work and expect to start earning. Always keep this in mind.
The first step is to learn how these platforms work. Read and follow their terms and policies. Once that’s done and you’ve chosen your preferred platform, the next question becomes how do you write a book that sells?
Like everything else, you can’t sell to everyone. This reminds me of a marketing strategy class back in university, where I first heard the phrase, “You can’t sell to everyone.” I remember a fellow student arguing that if you sell water, then surely you can sell to everyone. At first, I agreed. Everyone drinks water, so it seemed like a universally profitable business.
However, the lecturer explained that selling water involves choices. For example, you’d need to decide on the packaging, for example sachet or bottled. A higher-income group might avoid sachet water, while lower-income groups might find bottled water too expensive. Additionally, some people might avoid plastic altogether. Other factors could also affect the sales of something as universal as water, such as the type: spring water, sparkling water, table water, tap water, etc.
The same principle applies to writing. You can’t write a book for everyone. So, think about your audience. Who is your book for? What do they want to read or learn? What problem are they trying to solve? Understand your audience deeply. Know them like the back of your hand.
Will all books sell? Based on Gabriel’s years of publishing experience on KDP, not all books will sell. This could be because the writer is targeting the wrong audience or isn’t offering anything unique. For example, if you’re writing a book on how to make money, search for similar titles on the platform. You’ll find numerous authors who have already covered the topic. To stand out, you need a unique perspective. This brings me to the next point: know your competitors.
Customer research is just one part of market research. The other part involves understanding who else is writing about the topics you want to cover. These are your competitors, the people you’ll be competing with for your customers’ attention. It’s important you take them seriously.
When researching your competitors, ask these questions:
While studying your competitors, pay attention to their reviews. Look at what readers have said about their books. You might uncover gaps that you can address to make your book more comprehensive.
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but in the writing world, it can be seen as plagiarism. Amazon (and any reputable book publishing platform) strictly prohibits it. Plagiarism can result in your account being suspended or your book being blocked on these platforms. So, even if you’re tempted to draw inspiration from a competitor, never copy their book or any section of it.
If you're wondering how to write a book, think quality and simplicity. Start by coming up with an idea for your book, then begin researching. Use A.I., tools and platforms like Google Trends, Ubersuggest, Quora, and others to gather insights. Brainstorm and jot down your ideas in a document or notepad to find a clear direction. Next, choose a topic. You can craft the title and subtitle either at the beginning or after completing your book, but make sure the title is catchy and engaging. Develop a brief table of contents, then sit down and start writing. Gradually build on your ideas, and include a strong call to action so that if your book is shared, readers can still connect with you.
I know I said this in the beginning. But be sure to read the terms and conditions for publishing, which outline requirements like book dimensions. For example, for Amazon KDP your book should typically be published in 6 x 9 inches or 8 x 5 inches to suit both Kindle and paperback formats. The book should also be at least 150 pages long. Amazon does not accept low-quality books, so ensure your content is detailed, accurate, up-to-date, and well-formatted, as you’ll be writing for an international audience.
Writing a book can take anywhere from two weeks or longer, depending on the complexity and quality you aim to achieve. Once your manuscript is complete, you can move on to publishing on Amazon. Be intentional with every aspect (content, title, subtitle, and formatting) to avoid rejection.
The largest audience on Amazon is based in the US, so you’ll need a way to collect payments in dollars. That’s one thing Geegpay can help with. Open a USD account in minutes on your device and use it to receive payments on KDP or Kobo for your book sales. See how to open a free USD bank account here.
In the world of generative A.I., it’s tempting to type, “Hey GPT, write a 300-page book on how to make money from writing online”. But, instead of doing that, use a well-crafted prompt to develop your idea and fine-tune your content. This approach ensures that your content is unique and still holds value.
Every niche has the potential to be profitable. It’s not just about the niche itself, but how you develop and present your content idea. As long as there’s a problem to solve within a niche, it can be profitable.
For beginners, it might be easier to start with self-help books or topics related to business and making money. There’s always someone looking to learn how to improve their finances, save money, or manage their finances better. Money-related topics have many angles to explore and write about.
Some examples of self-help books are books on how to build relationships, how to manage emotions, how to be a better leader, and so on.
Gabriel raised an interesting point about dedicating more time to designing your book cover. It seems we’ll have to set aside the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” because in the self-publishing world, we do and will judge books by their covers. So spend time designing your book cover. You can use tools and templates on user-friendly platforms like Canva. Infuse your creativity into the design to make it appealing to your audience. If your cover doesn’t catch their attention, they’re unlikely to click to learn more about your book and ultimately make a purchase.
While still on covers, your book title is equally important in attracting readers. It should draw them in and make them want to read the book. Include a subtitle that provides more detail about what the book is about.
Whatever you do, market your product aggressively. Once you start gaining engagement, reinvest some of your earnings back into the business to reach more people that’ll be interested in your book.
One way to promote your book is by running sponsored ads. You can do this directly on the KDP platform to help your book rank higher when customers search for topics related to your content. However, don’t limit yourself to the publishing platform. Expand your reach by running ads on other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Sponsored posts on these platforms can significantly boost your visibility and sales. Pay for your ads with your Geegpay virtual dollar card so you don’t encounter any challenges.
“Only two books can change your life in this self-publishing business if you do it the right way. It’s a profitable business; don’t treat it like just another side hustle.”
If you’ve made it this far and you’re thinking, “Wow, this is exactly the blueprint I need to get into self-publishing,” then our mission is accomplished.
I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Gabriel. If you’d like a one-on-one session to learn more about starting or scaling your self-publishing business, he offers a coaching service. Connect with him on LinkedIn, he’ll be happy to share his expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books for free. Through KDP, you gain direct access to sell your book on Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer. You also get a personalised product detail page for your book, increasing its discoverability.
One of KDP’s standout features is the ability to expand your book’s availability globally, making it accessible to readers worldwide. Unlike traditional publishing houses, KDP allows you to retain full rights to your book, giving you complete creative and financial control. If you’re considering publishing through KDP, make sure your content falls within their accepted formats to maximise your reach. Learn more here.
Kobo Writing Life is a self-publishing platform that allows independent authors to publish eBooks and audiobooks and reach a global audience of millions.
Key features of Kobo Writing Life include:
For more information, visit Kobo Writing Life.
The choice between Amazon KDP and Kobo depends on your goals as an author. This comparison should help you decide:
If you’re targeting a mainstream, mass-market audience, Amazon KDP may be the better choice due to its dominant market share and robust marketing tools. However, if you’re interested in reaching a global audience without exclusivity restrictions or want to experiment with niche genres, Kobo Writing Life is a great alternative.
For many authors, the best approach may be to use both platforms to maximise reach and royalties.
To receive money from book sales on Amazon KDP or Kobo, you can open a multi-currency account on Geegpay. Geegpay by Raenest provides you with access to bank accounts in USD, EUR, and GBP, which would allow you to receive payments directly from buyers. Additionally, you can convert between currencies on Geegpay without incurring any fees. Once you receive your funds, you can transfer them to your local bank account for free.
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