5 Deadly Mistakes That Can Kill Your Self-Published Book’s Sales
So, you’ve written your book, self-published it, and now you’re waiting for the sales to roll in… but nothing’s happening. Sound familiar? The reality is that countless self-published books fail because authors make critical mistakes that sabotage their success from the start. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to be one of those authors. I’m going to show you the exact mistakes that can kill your book’s sales—and how you can fix them right now to skyrocket your success.
Let’s get into it!
Mistake #1: Terrible Cover Design – The First Impression Matters
Imagine you're scrolling through Amazon and you see two books side by side. One has a sleek, professional cover. The other? A blurry mess with outdated fonts and no cohesive design. Which one are you more likely to click? I’ll bet it’s the first one.
Here’s the cold truth: A bad cover doesn’t just turn readers off—it says, “This book isn’t worth your time.” It doesn’t matter how brilliant your content is; if your cover looks like it was thrown together in five minutes, it’s going to hurt your sales. You must have a cover that grabs attention, screams professionalism, and makes people stop scrolling.
Don’t just use Canva templates or DIY your cover. Invest in a professional designer who specializes in book covers. Trust me, it’s worth it. I’ve had my fair share of early mistakes in this department—trust me when I say it made all the difference when I finally invested in quality designs. A high-quality cover communicates that your book is high-quality, too. And let’s be honest, your first impression is everything in this business.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Proper Formatting – Readers Won’t Tolerate It
Formatting is the unsung hero of a book’s success, and it’s often overlooked. Picture this: you’ve got a killer story, but when someone opens your eBook, the paragraphs are wonky, the text is too small, and there’s no consistent style. What happens next? That reader hits the back button faster than you can say "bad review."
I know this all too well from my experience ghostwriting. When I first started, I didn’t always think about how the format impacted the reader’s experience. But after seeing my books fall flat and receiving feedback about formatting issues, I quickly realized how crucial this step is. It doesn’t just look bad—it directly affects reader satisfaction and retention.
Get your book professionally formatted. A well-formatted book is easy on the eyes, easier to read, and gives your readers the experience they deserve. Whether it’s eBook or print, a professional format is essential. Plus, it shows readers that you respect their time—and that’s a huge trust builder.
Mistake #3: Inadequate Marketing – Waiting for Readers to Find You
Here's the biggest mistake self-published authors make: expecting readers to just find their book. The truth is, without a solid marketing plan, your book is floating in the abyss of thousands of other self-published books, begging to be noticed. But here's the thing: You need to market your book every day. It’s not a one-and-done effort; it’s a lifestyle.
In my early years of ghostwriting and self-publishing, I made the same mistake. I’d publish a book, then wait. And wait. And wait. Nothing happened. It wasn’t until I started actively marketing and building an online presence—something I learned after years of trial and error—that I started to see results.
Start building your author platform before your book is even finished. Get active on social media, create a website, and engage with readers. When you’re ready to launch, have a marketing plan that includes email lists, paid ads, and reaching out to influencers in your genre. Keep marketing long after the launch to maintain momentum and stay top of mind. Trust me, this will pay off, and if you’ve already published? No worries, just start marketing now!
Mistake #4: No Professional Editing – You Can’t Do It All Yourself
Look, we all like to think that our first draft is perfect, but it’s not. Editing is where the magic happens, and without a professional editor, your book is full of typos, inconsistencies, and issues that will turn readers off faster than you can hit the "Publish" button.
I learned this lesson the hard way. As a writer who ghostwrites frequently, I’ve had to work with editors—both as a writer and a business owner. The first time I skipped a professional editor, I regretted it immediately. The feedback was brutal, and it was a humbling experience. But it taught me one key thing: you cannot afford to skip the editing process.
Hire an editor who specializes in your genre. Don’t cut corners here. An editor can help you tighten your prose, catch glaring errors, and elevate your writing to the next level. A polished book shows readers that you take your work seriously—and that respect will lead to better reviews and more sales.
Mistake #5: Underpricing Your Book – You’re Worth More Than That
If you’re underpricing your book just to get sales, you’re making a huge mistake. Yes, you want to sell copies, but undervaluing your book hurts its credibility. If you price your book too low, readers may think it’s “cheap” and not worth their time. If your book is priced like a bargain bin item, why would anyone pay attention?
I’ve been there too—at one point, I priced one of my books too low thinking I’d get more sales. Guess what happened? It sold, but it didn’t get the respect it deserved. I ended up having to reprice it and rebrand the entire thing. That was a tough lesson, but it stuck with me.
Find a pricing strategy that matches the value you’re offering. You’re an author. You’ve put time, effort, and skill into your work. Your book deserves to be priced accordingly. Research similar books in your genre and price your book competitively, but don’t sell yourself short. You’re not just selling a book—you’re selling an experience.
Conclusion
Self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. But if you avoid these five deadly mistakes, you’re already ahead of the game.
Quick Recap:
Fix your cover design. Professional covers = professional books.
Format your book correctly. A seamless reading experience = happy readers.
Market your book consistently. Don’t wait for readers to find you.
Edit like a pro. Polished books get more sales and better reviews.
Price your book correctly. Don’t undervalue your work.
If you can avoid these mistakes and take your book’s sales seriously, your success is waiting for you. Don’t just write a book—write one that stands out, sells, and leaves a lasting impact on readers. Now, get out there and make it happen!
Want to learn more about how to Self-Publish your book on amazon? Check out my free guide The Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing on Amazon.
Want to make a living as a Ghostwriter? My book Ghostwriting 101 can help!