Choosing Your Target Languages: Strategy Over Guesswork

So, you're ready to translate! But which language(s) should you choose? Making a strategic choice can significantly impact your success. Here are key factors to consider:

• Market Size & Ebook Adoption: Research the size of the reading market and how prevalent ebook sales are. Germany (DE), France (FR), Spain (ES), Italy (IT), and Brazil (BR) are often strong contenders on Amazon KDP.
• Genre Popularity: Does your genre sell well in the target market? Check the bestseller lists on the local Amazon site (e.g., Amazon.de, Amazon.fr). Romance thrives in Germany, while Sci-Fi might have a different stronghold.
• Competition: Assess the level of competition in your genre within that language market.
• Available Resources & Budget: Translation costs vary by language. Start with one or two languages that offer the best potential return based on your research and budget.
• Personal Connection or Existing Audience: Do you have followers from a specific country? Sometimes a smaller market where you have a connection can be a good starting point.

Don't guess! A little research upfront helps you invest your translation budget wisely and target readers most likely to love your book.