If you’re interested in making money through Amazon book publishing and selling, you might have come across the FPA Workshop by Karla Marie and Roy Lewis.
These guys are offering the free webinar to promote their high-ticket program, Fiction Profit Academy, which helps busy women make money online.
The intro of this 2-minute presentation caught my attention, where Karla talks about a way to make money quickly and grow a stable income source. Honestly, it sounded a bit like a “get rich quick scheme” to me. I mean, she claims to work only one hour per day and still manages to rake in a whopping $20K each month. Hmm, sounds too good to be true, right?
As an internet entrepreneur, I’ve seen and reviewed hundreds of online programs. So, I can give you a pretty good idea of what you’re getting into here. And at the end of this review, I’ll even give you a better alternative that’s helped me make a full-time passive income.
So, if you’re curious and want to know whether the FPA Workshop is worth your time, keep reading!
FPA Workshop Review: Key Takeaways
- About: Free webinar for self-publishing on Amazon
- Owner: Karla Marie & Roy Lewis
- Website: https://courses.fpaworkshop.com
- Overall Score: 1/5
- Pros: Legit business model
- Cons: Deceptive promotion; lack of payment; hidden costs; unrealistic expectations
- Verdict: A free webinar promotes a $2K paid course using aggressive marketing.
Table of Contents
- What is FPA Workshop?
- Who is Karla Marie?
- What can you learn from FPA Workshop?
- How much does FPA Workshop cost?
- Refund Policy
- What is Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)?
- What are the benefits of KDP?
- How much does it cost to self-publish?
- How much are Amazon KDP royalties?
- 5 Red Flags of FPA Workshop!
- Is FPA Workshop a scam?
- 5 Challenges of Self-Publishing on Amazon
- Is there a better way to make money online?
What is FPA Workshop?
FPA Workshop a free webinar that claims to reveal a huge opportunity to earn online. But before you get too excited, there are some things you need to know.
First of all, the way FPA Workshop is marketed can be quite sketchy and misleading. For instance, they promise three bonuses if you stay until the end of the webinar, with one of them being $500 cash. But when asked about it on Trustpilot, their response revealed that there are some extra steps you need to take to claim that bonus.
According to Karla, the presenter of FPA Workshop, “Bonus number 3 is extra special because I want to give you 500 dollars. And as you will see, I’m not even kidding. All you have to do is stay until the end of the workshop, and these bonuses are yours.” But in reality, you need to enroll in their 4 figure program and publish a book on Amazon in accordance with their program to receive the $500 rebate.
While it’s true that Amazon book publishing and selling can be a legitimate business model with potential to earn real money, the way FPA Workshop is promoted can be quite misleading.
So, if you’re considering joining their program, it’s important to carefully read the terms and conditions and make an informed decision.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Who is Karla Marie?
Karla Marie is the founder of Fiction Profits Academy, a program that helps writers make money through self-publishing eBooks. Apparently, she’s made some money.
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of information about Karla Marie out there, so we don’t know exactly how much money she’s making from her eBook ventures. However, it seems like she’s really good at marketing herself online. She uses webinars and email follow-ups to reach potential customers – pretty standard stuff in the world of online marketing.
Karla Marie also has a YouTube channel called Fiction Profits Academy, which has 5.73k subscribers. However, it looks like she hasn’t posted anything new in over a year, so it’s unclear if she’s still actively using the channel.
So, is the FPA Workshop worth checking out if you want to make money online? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. The curriculum looks pretty comprehensive, so it could be a good resource if you’re just starting out with self-publishing.
However, keep in mind that there are a lot of other free resources out there as well – some of which might be cheaper or more tailored to your specific needs.
What can you learn from FPA Workshop?
If you’re considering attending Karla Marie’s free webinar, here’s what you can expect:
The webinar begins by showcasing the success stories of busy moms who have made a significant amount of money using the same business model Karla employs to earn up to $20K per month. Following that, she’ll cover the basics of Amazon KDP.
While Karla may have seen success with this approach in the past, it’s now a highly competitive market, and the course she’s selling is designed to teach others how to do the same.
However, it’s essential to note that the competition on Amazon for self-publishing is significant and will continue to grow. This isn’t to say that success is impossible, but rather that the business model is not new or innovative, as advertised.
Since you won’t learn this information on the free webinar, it’s critical to keep in mind when considering investing in Karla’s course.
How much does FPA Workshop cost?
If you’re interested in joining FPA Workshop, the good news is that it’s free to join. However, if you’re considering enrolling in the upsell, Fiction Profits Academy, be prepared for a steep price tag of $1,997. While the course promises to teach you how to generate money online and publish eBooks, I personally believe it’s overpriced.
There are many more affordable and equally effective options available online for learning these skills. Karla Marie’s preparation for the course is nothing out of the ordinary, so it’s hard to justify the high cost.
If you’re set on enrolling in the course, there is a payment plan available where you can pay $649 per month for four months. But keep in mind, this adds up to a total of $2,596, which is still quite a lot of money. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if the cost is worth it for the knowledge and skills you’ll gain from the course.
Refund Policy
While you can get a refund within 24 hours of purchase with no questions asked, there are a few conditions you’ll need to meet before you can get your money back.
Make sure to read the terms and conditions before making your purchase!
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
What is Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)?
If you’ve ever wanted to publish a book but didn’t want to go through a traditional publishing house, then Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) might be just what you need. KDP is Amazon’s self-publishing platform that makes it easy for authors to sell their books to Amazon’s huge audience.
The best part about KDP is that you don’t have to pay any upfront costs or inventory orders. You can create both ebooks and paperback books, and retain full rights to your work. This is a great option for authors who want to maintain complete creative control over their work.
With KDP, you can get your book published and listed for sale on Amazon for free. You won’t have to pay any fees until you start making sales. So if you’re an author of any kind, KDP is definitely worth checking out. It’s a hassle-free and cost-effective way to get your book out there and in the hands of readers.
- Learn more about how to make money on Amazon KDP
What are the benefits of KDP?
If you’re looking to publish a book, you should definitely consider using Amazon KDP. Here are some reasons why:
1. Publish both ebooks and paperback books
With KDP, you have the option to publish your book as a Kindle ebook, paperback book, or both. Plus, if you choose to sell a paperback book, Amazon will print and ship it for you, which means you don’t have to worry about inventory or shipping logistics.
2. No upfront costs
Listing your ebooks for sale on Amazon KDP is completely free. However, you will split the revenue from ebook sales with Amazon. The percentage you receive depends on the royalty option you choose and the size of your ebook file.
3. Publish as many ebooks as you want
KDP allows you to publish as many ebooks or paperback books as you want, even under different pen names and categories. So, whether you’re a prolific writer or just starting out, you can publish as much as you want without any restrictions.
4. Buy wholesale copies of your paperback books
If you want physical copies of your book to sell or give away, you can order them at wholesale prices through your KDP dashboard. Amazon will print the number of copies you need and ship them to you at a cost.
5. Get a sales rank on the Kindle Store
Your book will have a sales rank on the Kindle Store just like any other book on Amazon.com. This means you have the same opportunity as more established authors to rise in the ranks and make sales.
How much does it cost to self-publish?
Amazon KDP allows you to publish your book for free! That’s right, no upfront costs.
However, when it comes to selling paperback books, there is a cost to consider. Amazon will deduct the cost of printing the book from your book royalties. This means that you’ll have to pay for the printing cost when someone buys your paperback book.
But that’s not all. As a self-published author, you’ll also need to invest in author services to get your book ready for publication. These services include book cover design, formatting, editing, and marketing expenses. So, while publishing on KDP is free, there are still costs to consider if you want to make your book stand out and reach a wider audience.
How much are Amazon KDP royalties?
There are two types of royalties to consider: eBook royalty rates and paperback royalty rates. For eBook sales, you can earn either 35% or 70% depending on the royalty rate your book qualifies for. On the other hand, paperback books have a royalty rate of 60%, and it’s set in stone.
Here’s the deal: you’ll get a percentage of your book’s list price as a percentage royalty based on the royalty rate you qualify for. So, make sure to check the rates before publishing your book on KDP.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
5 Red Flags of FPA Workshop!
FPA workshop has used misleading marketing tactics to promote their course. Here are the red flags you should know before enrolling in the webinar:
1. Deceptive Promotion
The customer claims that the webinar is advertised as a live event, but it’s actually pre-recorded. This can give the impression that attendees will be paid for their time when, in fact, they won’t receive any compensation.
2. Hidden Costs
The webinar fails to disclose that after paying the $2k fee, there are additional costs for writers, book covers, Facebook ads, mailing, booksprout, and editors. The customer believes that these additional expenses can quickly add up to over $5k, making the course more expensive than what is advertised.
3. Lack of Payment
FPA Workshop misled people into believing they will receive compensation for attending a “live” webinar. In reality, it doesn’t offer any payment for attendance.
4. Unrealistic Expectations
FPA Workshop creates unrealistic expectations for participants. The webinar leads people to believe that they will start making money immediately after paying the fee and spending $500 on two books. However, the customer claims that the reality is that the process is lengthy and requires a significant amount of time and effort to see any returns on investment.
5. Poor Refund Policy
The money-back policy for the program is unreasonable. The policy requires participants to have a free book and an e-book published on Amazon before they can request a refund. This policy can be challenging to fulfill, especially for people who are just starting in the publishing industry.
Is FPA Workshop a scam?
While some people may have labeled it as a scam, I personally think that it’s not a scam, but its advertising is rather shady and unethical.
One of the things that bothered me about the FPA Workshop is their video advertising. Karla Marie, the host, promises to pay you a few hundred bucks just for attending the webinar until the end. However, this claim might mislead people into thinking that it’s an easy way to earn money online. The truth is, starting an online business on Amazon Marketplace requires hard work, investment, and dedication.
It’s important to note that the Amazon Marketplace is not a new or little-known platform. In fact, many people are already selling books on it. Moreover, there are other courses, such as Audiobook Income Academy, that teach the same strategies and have been around for years.
If you decide to enroll in the FPA Workshop’s paid program, be ready to invest around $2,000, not including additional fees for ads, ghostwriters, book covers, and more. To start your online business on the low end, you’ll need around $3,000. However, I would recommend having at least $5,000 to have a real chance of success.
Considering the high costs and fierce competition, I don’t think that the FPA Workshop is the best way for beginners to start an online business.
5 Challenges of Self-Publishing on Amazon
1. The Market is Crowded
Let’s face it, the market for self-published books on Amazon is pretty crowded. Without the backing of a traditional publishing house, it can be tough to get noticed. You’ll need to come up with a solid marketing strategy and build your author brand to reach your audience. Don’t worry though, we’ve got some great tips on building your indie book marketing plan in our extensive article.
2. Marketing and Promotion Are On You
One of the biggest cons of self-publishing is that you’ll need to do all the marketing and promotion yourself. This is true for most authors, even those who publish traditionally. But, if you’re up for the challenge, self-publishing may be the way to go.
3. Editing Can Be Expensive
When you self-publish, you’ll need to be your own editor or hire one. Hiring an editor can be expensive, and in some cases, cost-prohibitive to authors. You can publish without one, but beware, critics may slam your book for grammatical or spelling errors.
4. Exclusivity Period
If you choose to publish with KDP Select, there’s a 90-day exclusivity period in which you cannot sell your digital copy elsewhere. This can be a bummer if you were hoping to publish your book everywhere.
5. Watch Out For Posting Limits
As an Amazon.com publisher, you cannot post more than 10% of your content anywhere else online. Even if it’s part of a blog post or a Wattpad story, you’ll need to take it down immediately or risk violating your agreement. Make sure to read all the terms and conditions before publishing with KDP Select.
Is there a better way to make money online?
If you really want to make a stable and secure stream of passive income, I would suggest you start an affiliate marketing business online instead.
Affiliate marketing is perfect for anyone who is new to online business.
In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.
In affiliate marketing, you can actually run your business almost with zero cost and achieve a steady and sustainable passive income to pay for your bills. You don’t need any initial capital and can even do it as a side hustle.
And if you really want to learn affiliate marketing and build a business from scratch, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform for affiliate marketing: Wealthy Affiliate.
Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.
But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?
A 21-year old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods.
For more information, you can check out my full review of Wealthy Affiliate.
Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?
Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has a free and premium membership.
If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the free starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.
And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, access to the keyword tool.
You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny.
So I strongly recommend you to register a free account and see it yourself.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Jeff Smith, Founder of High Income Source, is an online business coach with a BBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania. His online business coaching program is so popular that more than 100 students have benefited and started successful online businesses under his guidance.
Jeff started dabbling in online business while he was in college, where he began with dropshipping. After college, Jeff worked at a marketing agency and freelanced as a writer. His breakthrough came when he realized the potential of blogging, leading to a $100,000 sale of a dog-focused website. His expertise includes SEO, affiliate marketing, Amazon FBA, blogging and dropshipping.
Thanks for a helpful review with pros and cons. As a result of your experience, you saved me much time and money.
Please email me privately if you have a Passive Income Program (not a course) with minimum investment or money of $1000 per day/week or more without too many hassles of SEO or maintaining website.