10 Common Self-Publishing Mistakes to Avoid

Did you know that 90% of self-published books sell fewer than 100 copies? One of the biggest reasons? Poor editing.

Editing isn’t just about catching typos. A strong book needs multiple rounds of editing to refine its structure, clarity, and overall impact.

The Right Editing Process: Step by Step

To give your book the best chance of success, follow a structured editing approach:

1. Self-Editing

Before hiring a professional, clean up your manuscript as much as possible. Read your book out loud, run it through tools like Grammarly, and fix obvious errors.

2. Developmental Editing (Big-Picture Fixes)

A developmental editor analyzes your book’s structure, pacing, plot holes, character development, and overall readability. If your book feels disorganized or lacks impact, it will come out as fixed and polished.

3. Line Editing (Sentence-Level Improvements)

This stage refines your writing style. A line editor improves sentence flow, clarity, and word choice while ensuring your tone remains engaging and consistent.

4. Copyediting (Grammar and Spelling)

A copyeditor fixes grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, and inconsistencies in spelling, tense, and style.

5. Proofreading (Final Polish)

The last step ensures your book is completely error-free before publishing. A proofreader checks for missed typos, formatting issues, and any lingering mistakes.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the editing process or need expert guidance, get a full complement of services from professional editors and content specialists to refine your manuscript into a market-ready book.

The old adage "don’t judge a book by its cover" doesn’t apply in the world of book sales. The cover is the first thing that catches a potential reader’s eye.

A high-quality book cover does more than look nice, it instantly communicates genre, tone, and professionalism. The right design helps your book:

• Stand Out: In a crowded market, a unique, eye-catching cover grabs attention.

• Attract the Right Readers: A fantasy novel with a business-like cover confuses readers. Your cover should match the reader's expectations.

• Build Trust: A polished cover signals that your book is professionally made, increasing its perceived value.

Hire a professional cover designer who understands the nuances of book cover design, particularly in your genre. A good designer will know how to create a cover that appeals to your target audience and aligns with current market trends. It’s an investment that can significantly boost your sales.

A book that’s difficult to read is a book that won’t be read.

Formatting directly impacts readability and book sales. A polished layout signals professionalism, while poor formatting can drive readers away.

Common Formatting Mistakes

• Inconsistent fonts, spacing, and indentations: Make reading difficult.

• Broken eBook layouts: Poorly formatted EPUBs look messy on different devices.

• Ignoring page breaks & margins: Chapters must start cleanly with proper spacing.

If you want a professional book layout, formatting experts can help ensure your book meets industry standards and provides an enjoyable reading experience.

With millions of books on Amazon alone, a book without marketing is a book that remains unseen. A lot of authors assume that once their book is live, sales will follow.

But the self-publishing world is highly competitive, and standing out requires more than just a great book.

What is Overlooked in Book Marketing?

• Relying solely on Amazon’s algorithm: Visibility requires strategy, not luck.

• Skipping pre-launch promotion: A cold book launch with no buzz leads to low sales.

• Not Sticking to a specific release date: Nothing hurts credibility more than missed deadlines. Set a realistic publishing date and stick to it.

• Ignoring audience-building: No readers means no sales, no matter how good the book is.

Without effective marketing, your book may struggle to reach its intended audience. Marketing helps build awareness, generate interest, and drive sales.

A book won’t sell itself. Successful authors treat book marketing as essential, not optional.

If you need help with competitive author branding or marketing strategy, professional content specialists can help position your book for success.

Many new authors expect instant success, believing that their book will become a bestseller overnight. However, self-publishing is a long-term commitment, and instant success is rare.

Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and frustration, potentially causing authors to give up too soon. It’s important to understand that building a successful self-publishing career takes time, persistence, and continuous effort.

As a solution, you should set realistic goals and focus on building your author brand gradually. Celebrate small milestones, such as completing a manuscript, receiving positive reviews, or hitting a sales target.

Recognize that self-publishing success often comes from a combination of factors, including quality writing, effective marketing, and audience engagement. Stay committed to your journey and be patient as your readership grows over time.

The price of your book directly influences its marketability. Pricing your book too high can deter potential readers, while pricing it too low might devalue your work and impact your earnings.

Finding the right price point attracts readers and ensures your success.

To cater to this, you can research the market to determine competitive pricing for your genre. Look at similar books to see how they are priced and consider the length and content of your book when setting your price.

Experiment with different pricing strategies, such as offering discounts during the launch period or bundling your book with other titles to attract more readers.

Remember, pricing isn’t a one-time decision, you can adjust it based on market response.

Metadata, including your book title, subtitle, description, keywords, and categories, help readers find your book on online platforms like Amazon.

Ignoring or poorly optimizing metadata can make it difficult for potential readers to find your book.

Optimized metadata increases the chances of your book appearing in search results, recommendations, and relevant categories, ultimately driving more sales.

Spend time crafting a compelling book description that captures the essence of your story and entices readers. Choose keywords that accurately reflect your content and genre.

Select categories that align with your book theme. Tools like Amazon’s Keyword Tool can help you identify high-traffic keywords to include in your metadata. Regularly update and refine your metadata to keep it relevant and effective.

Use blurbs to focus on the most captivating aspects of the story, often with a hook to make the reader want more. They can be written by the publisher, author, or even another author.

Positive reviews influence potential readers’ decisions and serve as social proof. Reviews build credibility and encourage new readers to purchase your book.

However, many self-published authors fail to actively seek out reviews, which can hinder their success.

Books with a high number of positive reviews are more likely to attract new readers and achieve higher sales rankings on platforms like Amazon.

Encourage readers to leave reviews by including a request at the end of your book. Reach out to book bloggers, offer free copies in exchange for honest reviews, and engage with your readers through social media platforms or email newsletters.

Consider participating in book review programs or services that connect authors with readers who are willing to provide feedback. The more reviews you accumulate, the more credible and appealing your book will appear to new readers.

If you try to market to everyone, you may end up reaching no one. To sell books effectively, you need to know exactly who your readers are, what they want, and where to find them.

Start by identifying what makes your book stand out - its themes, setting, or unique subject matter. Readers are drawn to books that reflect their interests and emotions, so understanding these aspects helps you attract the right audience.

For instance, a productivity book for busy entrepreneurs attracts a different audience than one focused on mindfulness for parents. A health book about plant-based nutrition won’t appeal to the same readers as a guide on high-protein diets for athletes. Knowing these distinctions helps you focus your marketing efforts where they’ll have the most impact.

Once you define your audience, the next step is to find them. Social media groups, book blogs, and niche forums are great places to connect. Readers passionate about your book’s themes already exist, you just need to engage with them. Join discussions, build relationships, and provide value before promoting your book.

Effective marketing isn’t about reaching more people, it’s about reaching the right ones. Understanding your audience creates loyal readers who eagerly anticipate your next release.

In the excitement to self-publish, many indie authors rush through the process, leading to mistakes in editing, formatting, or marketing. This haste can compromise the quality of your book and negatively impact its success.

Rushing the process often results in a book that is not fully polished or properly marketed, leading to poor reader reception and disappointing sales.

Take your time with each step of publishing. Ensure your book is thoroughly edited, professionally designed, and strategically marketed before launching it to the public.

Consider creating a detailed timeline that includes ample time for editing, cover design, formatting, and pre-launch marketing activities. By planning carefully and avoiding the temptation to rush, you’ll set your book up for long-term success.

Looking for publishing options for the future? Explore key factors to keep in mind when choosing a publisher in the years ahead.

Treat your next book like a professional product. Polish your manuscript, invest in a strong cover, and a clear marketing plan. Research, learn from others, and focus on the details that matter.

If you spend months writing your book but rush the self-publishing process, it can hurt sales. Skipping key steps, like editing, marketing, or proper formatting can hurt sales and credibility. The good news? Every mistake has a fix.

When it comes to self-publishing your book, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you want a smoother path and expert guidance at every stage, you can explore services that help bring your book to life with quality and professionalism.

For expert writing, you can explore professional Ghostwriting services and learn about how hiring an expert can help you.