“10 Self-Publishing Common Mistakes” is an article designed to guide you through the pitfalls of self-publishing and how to steer clear of them for your success. This article is beneficial for both aspiring writers and established authors. Regardless of whether you have self-published or gone the traditional route, understanding these common mistakes is crucial. Now, let’s dive in.
1: Writing Mistakes
The first mistake in writing is attempting to force oneself into an unsuitable industry. It necessitates self-discovery before attempting to advance in a career like writing. Writing isn’t for everyone, despite many people’s desire to become writers or published authors.
This doesn’t imply you shouldn’t try repeatedly until you’re certain writing isn’t your calling. This process of trial and error is integral to discovering one’s career path.
You won’t know if you’re a writer unless you try. But if you’ve been contemplating it for years without action, it’s time to let go. You’re not a writer and won’t become one, regardless of effort. Does this discourage you? It might, or it might not.
The second aspect of this mistake is the belief that writing is too challenging to master. Fear of writing will prevent even a natural-born writer from reaching their full potential. Therefore, address your perceptions and expectations about writing. If you’re truly a writer, you’ll find joy in the act of writing.
People write for various reasons, and that’s perfectly fine. The real question is whether you have a more compelling reason for wanting to write. Consider this: money is a valid motivation, but is it the sole reason for your writing?
I write to inform, instruct, and, I hope, to educate you, my dear readers. But does that imply I don’t need money? Of course, I need it. I earn money by creating the best product, which could be this post, an eBook, an audio or video file, or anything else that might be useful to someone, somewhere in the world, at some point in their life.
My book, “The Writer’s Guide 101,” offers some of the best writing tips. Give it a try.
Indeed, there are numerous writing errors, which could also be termed misconceptions. Lacking knowledge is not a valid excuse for not writing. I have composed most, if not all, of my articles from memory.
However, if you explore the vast resources of the Internet, you’ll find that my writings are not far removed from the widely accepted truths. You too possess much knowledge, but you won’t realize its extent until you begin to record your thoughts, imaginations, experiences, and memories.
2. Self-Editing Mistakes
Secondly, among the top ten self-publishing mistakes is the error of self-editing. This stage is rife with misconceptions, similar to those found in the writing phase. These errors are largely psychological, meaning we often perceive things in our own way, which may not align with reality.
Here’s a bold statement: anyone can become an excellent book editor. However, not many believe in this potential. Mastery requires practice, experimentation, and learning from mistakes. With enough practice, we can enhance our self-editing skills, but this is contingent on believing in our own capabilities.
Belief is crucial, not just in religious contexts but also in book editing and any profession or career. Excessive belief, however, can lead to arrogance and overconfidence, preventing individuals from learning from their mistakes. This is detrimental and constitutes a significant editing error.
The solution is to actively learn about book editing. Engage in it, read extensively, and absorb all available information, whether online or in print. I maintain a personal digital library on my phone, allowing me to read anytime and anywhere, as long as my phone is charged. Nevertheless, my library is curated; it’s impossible to read every book in the world.
- My book, “The Editor’s Guide 101,” offers the best tips. Obtain your copy today and master the basics.
Listening to others and heeding advice, especially from experts or those with experience, is valuable. I’ve been self-publishing since my first book, “The Scarification,” was released over eight years ago, and I’m still learning about book editing.
When you think of book editing, what comes to mind? Do you believe you could attempt it? Feeling intimidated is normal. However, if you’ve tried and failed for months or years, you might not be cut out for book editing. It’s wiser to hire someone to assist with that aspect of book creation, allowing you to focus on writing and other tasks instead of struggling with editing.
3: Self-Design Mistakes
The third common mistake in self-publishing pertains to book design, encompassing both interior and cover design. Book interior design involves font choices, size, text alignment, paragraph structuring, formatting, and more. I’ve composed a comprehensive article on this subject.
Indeed, anyone can become a book designer. Anyone can craft a best-selling book cover. The potential to achieve anything exists, provided there is determination or expertise. Learning how things are done is possible, though it may seem abstract. Practical application requires hands-on experience. This principle applies equally to book design, whether it’s the interior or the cover.
Indeed, there are naturally talented graphic designers, but you can also learn the craft if you desire. Learning requires time and effort; nothing worthwhile is easy to master. However, once you have learned, it becomes as easy as you could imagine.
The same applies to book design. You might hold misconceptions about it, or believe you’re incapable of doing it. If you have misconceptions, this post aims to correct them. If you find you’re unable to design your book, then seek a solution. Avoid attempting it yourself if you cannot do it well.
Many bestselling authors recommend employing an experienced book designer and formatter. These services are available for free or for a charge, both online and in person. Links to these resources can be found at the conclusion of this article.
The solution is simple: do it yourself or hire a professional. These are the only two alternatives. You can choose to tackle it on your own and improve over time, or you can find someone to handle it for you while you focus on other pressing matters.
My book titled “Using Microsoft Paint” features some straightforward book cover designs. The tool may be simplistic, yet creativity resides not in the tool but within you, the creator. BookBrush could be the ideal free choice for you; consider exploring it further.
4: Self-Publishing Mistakes
Self-publishing, also known as indie publishing, is a burgeoning trend and industry of the 21st century. Its novelty doesn’t imply a lack of interest; in fact, many experienced authors are embracing self-publishing for its numerous advantages.
However, there are common misconceptions about self-publishing. Some dismiss it as too challenging or unattainable, while others perceive it as overly simple. Both extremes are problematic, akin to the dangers of atheism and religious extremism. A balanced perspective is essential.
If you believe you can publish your book independently, pursue it. Yet, recognize that it may not be straightforward for everyone. If the prospect of managing the business aspects of self-publishing in addition to daily writing seems overwhelming, refrain from dissuading those who are equipped for it. Encourage them to give their best, to self-publish their works, and to reap the rewards of their diligent efforts.
My book, “The Publisher’s Guide 101,” contains comprehensive details. Obtain your copy today and become proficient in book publishing like an expert. It includes Smashwords and Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing as illustrative examples.
People make mistakes in choosing how to publish their books. There are two methods of book publishing today. You can choose one method or both. You may love one and hate the other, and this is just normal with human beings.
We have our own likes and dislikes, and this is just natural and normal. The two known book publishing methods are self-publishing and traditional publishing. We’re now talking about the 10 Self-Publishing Common Mistakes in this article, and this is mistake #4 in the list.
5: Book Blurb Mistakes
Suppose you’ve written, edited, designed, and published your book(s). However, another hurdle remains: the book blurb. A blurb is essentially the sales pitch for your book. Indeed, not every writer is naturally a salesperson, but mastering this skill is crucial.
There are two common pitfalls. You may believe you can write a blurb, or you may think you can’t. Regardless, take the appropriate action. If you’re confident, go ahead and craft the best blurb possible.
If you doubt your ability, consider delegating the task. There are experts who have honed the craft of writing book blurbs for years, earning their livelihood. Why not hire a professional rather than risk a blunder?
I pen my own book blurbs, and at times, they fall short. If a lackluster blurb hinders your book’s sales, it’s imperative to edit or rewrite it. I’ve iterated this process for years, gradually recognizing my knack for it. I manage it independently, yet I strive to enhance my blurbs with each new day, aiming for continuous improvement in crafting blurbs for Amazon and local print marketing.
6: Book Category Mistakes
The sixth common self-publishing mistake pertains to book categories, which are crucial determinants of sales. Like blurbs, categories inform potential readers about the content of your book.
You may be familiar with your book’s genre, but Google might categorize your books differently. Discovering your books under various genres when searching your name can be surprising, especially if you didn’t set them yourself. However, this doesn’t negate the need to categorize your books. It simply highlights the importance of understanding how to do so beforehand.
This article encourages you to reflect before repeating these mistakes. As the saying goes, “Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.”
The solution is to familiarize yourself with how book publishing platforms like Smashwords and Amazon KDP categorize books. Each platform may support different genres and categories. Once you understand this, you can accurately choose a category for your book. Fortunately, you can update your book’s categories even post-publication, showcasing the flexibility of self-publishing.
7: Book Keywords Mistakes
Keywords are just as crucial as book categories. Amazon’s KDP offers seven boxes for keywords, where you can input either a single word or a phrase in each box. Some experts recommend using only one word per box, while others advocate for phrases. The right approach is debatable, and each expert’s viewpoint has merit, so the choice often comes down to personal preference or intuition.
Tools like Kindlepreneur (PublisherRocket) exist to assist in selecting optimal keywords, crafting compelling book blurbs, and choosing multiple book categories. However, these tools can be complex and challenging to master. While I don’t use them personally, they might prove beneficial for you.
My belief is that gaming a system is short-lived; eventually, its creators catch on to such tactics. Overusing SEO tools could even harm your rankings. In my opinion, a natural approach and common sense prevail in this world. Relying on one’s own knowledge is advisable, though some might consider that ignorant.
Indeed, conducting keyword research can be done either before or after publishing a book to utilize the most effective keywords. Many people use specific search terms or keywords to find books on Amazon. If their search terms are similar to the ones associated with your book, it may appear in Amazon’s search results.
Even though I don’t conduct keyword research prior to writing articles, it’s surprising that individuals still discover my work. One of the most effective strategies for achieving the best natural and organic search results is to write natural and original content. That’s my approach; I write primarily from my own thoughts, and it’s always astonishing how close to the mark I am.
8: Book Genre Mistakes
Indeed, the genre of a book is as crucial as its title, subtitle, cover art, description, categories, and keywords. These elements are vital to a book’s success, and configuring them effectively is important. However, mistakes are common. This is the eighth mistake out of the ten most common self-publishing errors that many authors consistently make.
The book genre should not be confused with the book category, though they are interconnected. They function together much like the universal relationship between an egg and a chick. Discussing book genre often implies category, but genre is more specifically a sub-category. For example, within the fiction book category, there are numerous genres.
When you delve into your book categories, you eventually arrive at the book genre. There are two primary categories: fiction and nonfiction, and both require creativity. This insight was gleaned from online social groups where I posed questions and received answers based on a wealth of knowledge and experience.
If you’re uncertain about your book’s genre, don’t hesitate to discover it. Seek advice from those around you, both online and offline. This information is crucial for placing your book in the appropriate category where it truly belongs. Indeed, we all need our own tribes. Your book has its own tribe; find it and position your book accordingly.
9: Book Pricing Mistakes
Indeed, book pricing is one of the top ten self-publishing mistakes if done without proper knowledge. Fortunately, you have access to numerous free resources. Utilize the information available on this website to your advantage. Why delay?
Two common pricing errors are underpricing and overpricing. Some experts recommend setting the price of a new book as low as $0.99 upon release, but this should depend on the book’s value and the chosen platform. Typically, this price point is for eBooks rather than paperbacks.
The choice is yours. You may follow this advice or not. I’m not convinced by this strategy, but it might be effective in certain situations. For instance, if your book is as brief as a blog post, then a $0.99 price might be more appropriate. However, if your book is a substantial work, like a novel, it shouldn’t be underpriced.
As a self-publisher, you have the advantage of control. You can make edits whenever you wish, at your own pace. Nevertheless, being an avid reader is crucial. Reading broadens your knowledge and helps you avoid common pitfalls in all aspects of life, not just writing and self-publishing.
10: Book Marketing Mistakes
This is the tenth mistake, but there are many others not mentioned or discussed in this post. This means I have selected these ten from a multitude, indicating they are the most critical mistakes in self-publishing to be aware of. If these mistakes are not addressed, they can lead to significant problems.
Regarding marketing mistakes, there are numerous. Remember, nothing is impossible, and no single strategy suits everyone. You can implement the most effective marketing that yields tangible results for your books, but that’s not the end of it. Mistakes are still made, and fear can still arise.
Believing you know everything and disregarding advice is a mistake, as is thinking you’re incapable of doing something or doing it correctly before even attempting it. Fear and overconfidence are the two main themes of this post. A balance is necessary. We must continue to learn and experiment before drawing our own conclusions.
Marketing can be executed without cost or with a charge, and it can take place online or in print media. However, there is much to learn, whether you are in the midst of marketing or just beginning.
It is advisable to read books and blog posts concerning each error mentioned in this article and devise a solution for it. You don’t possess all the knowledge, and it’s unlikely you ever will, but that doesn’t preclude you from learning the best practices in book marketing.
- My publication, “The Marketing Guide 101,” offers several practical tips on book marketing. It serves as a tool to master digital media and various marketing strategies. Obtain a copy to gain the essential knowledge required to advance to the next level.
My Final Advice
Attempt things before deciding they are unmanageable. Don’t cease trying until it’s clear that further efforts would be futile, as that would be madness, wouldn’t it? The two principal errors are overestimating your knowledge or underestimating your ability to learn. No knowledge is unattainable, and no task is simple until you’ve learned to do it on your own. I trust the article on 10 Common Self-Publishing Mistakes was insightful. Share your thoughts on it in the comments section below.
Shalom!