Ep 92: Amazon or Wide? The Secret Self-Publishing Strategy That Turns Newbies into Bestsellers in 2026!

It’s not either/or! The best self-publishing strategy for indie authors right now is something you’ve likely never heard of…until now.A lot of indie authors get stuck on the question of whether to publish exclusively on Amazon or “go wide.” But the truth is, most of the advice out there is either incomplete or flat-out misleading. Not enough “experts” are teaching the strategy that actually works in 2026 and likely will for a long time to come.In this episode, I break down what these terms actually mean and walk you through a smarter, strategic approach that sets you up for real success. You’ll learn why starting with Amazon KDP is the most powerful move you can make (hint: that 86% market share matters), why you should never accept a free ISBN, and how to properly use IngramSpark as a wholesaler…not a sales platform. I also explain when it actually makes sense to expand beyond Amazon and why building your own website early is critical for long-term growth and credibility. If you want a clear, no-fluff strategy for publishing your book the right way from day one, this episode is your roadmap.What You’ll Learn in This Episode·        The difference between exclusive and “going wide”·        Which platform you absolutely cannot exclude·        Why being exclusive to any platform is a deadly mistake·        Why you don’t need most of those other platforms at all·        The most effective strategy for launching and growing your careerRESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Me: https://christinakaye.com/ My Course (The Bestselling Indie Author Playbook): https://bit.ly/49HT4ABMy Etsy Shop (The Bookish Swag Shop): https://thebookishswagshop.etsy.com Find Me, Follow Me, DM Me on These Platforms:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinakayeofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/christinakayeofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaKayeOfficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakayeofficial/ SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THIS SHOW If you enjoyed this episode, follow and/or subscribe to Write! Grow! Launch! wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes on successfully self-publishing, profitably launching your book, and building a sustainable indie author career…without burnout or BS.