Biggest Lies in Self-Publishing That Keep You Stuck
There are a lot of myths out there about self-publishing, and if you believe them, they can keep you struggling to make money. Let’s bust them right now.
Lie #1: If You Write It, They Will Come
Some people think that just because they hit “publish” on Amazon KDP, the sales will magically roll in. Wrong.
The Truth: Amazon is not a magic money-making machine. Your book is one of millions. If you don’t have a strategy to market and promote your book, nobody is going to find it. Successful self-published authors don’t wait for sales—they create demand before they publish.
Lie #2: Self-Publishing is Passive Income
You’ve probably heard that publishing a book means making money in your sleep. While books can generate income over time, it’s not as passive as people think.
The Truth: The only people making passive income from books are those who have a system in place. If you want consistent book sales, you need an ongoing marketing plan—this means leveraging email lists, social media, and Amazon ads to keep sales coming.
Lie #3: Book Sales Alone Will Make You Wealthy
Let’s do some quick math. Most books on Amazon are priced at $9.99 or less. Even if you sell 1,000 copies, you’ll barely make $2,000—and that’s before Amazon takes its cut.
The Truth: Your book should be a stepping stone to higher-income opportunities. The real money in publishing isn’t just from selling the book—it’s from what you sell after the book.
Why Most Self-Published Authors Stay Broke
Now that we’ve exposed the biggest lies, let’s talk about the mistakes that keep self-published authors struggling.
Mistake #1: No Strategy Beyond Royalties
If you’re relying on Amazon checks alone, you’re hustling backward. Royalties are great, but you need to think bigger.
Solution: Think beyond book sales. Use your book to sell coaching, courses, consulting, or digital products. Your book should be a lead magnet that drives readers to higher-ticket offers.
Mistake #2: No Email List, No Leads, No Leverage
If you don’t have a way to capture reader information, you’re leaving money on the table.
Solution: Add a freebie inside your book that leads readers to your email list. Every single reader should have a way to stay connected with you—this is how you turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
Mistake #3: Not Monetizing the Right Way
Selling a book is not enough. The real money in publishing comes from selling what comes after the book.
Solution: Use your book to sell coaching, consulting, digital products, or memberships. Think of your book as a marketing tool, not just a product.
For example, if you sell a $500 coaching service, you only need 10 clients to make $5,000—that’s way easier than selling 5,000 books at $9.99.
The MiniHER Publishing Strategy: How I Turn Books into a Real Business
I don’t just publish books—I turn them into money-making assets. Here’s exactly how I do it:
Step #1: Publish Smart, Not Long
I don’t waste time writing 300-page books. My MiniHER books are 50 pages or less, straight to the point, and packed with value.
Short books convert better. Readers want quick solutions, not long-winded stories.
Step #2: Make Your Books Work for You
Inside every book, I include a call-to-action (CTA) that leads readers to:
- A free resource (to build my email list)
- A paid offer (to generate income beyond book sales
- Example: In my book The Profit Publishing Secret, I include:
A free lead magnet to grow my email list
A paid offer in the back of the book
Step #3: Sell Something That Pays More Than $9.99
If your book is the only thing you sell, you’re stuck. What else can you offer?
Options to Sell After Your Book:
- Coaching calls
- Workbooks or digital products
- Memberships or online courses
Example: If you sell a $500 service, you only need 10 clients to make $5,000—way easier than selling 5,000 books.
Step #4: Keep Sales Coming with Amazon Ads & Social Media
I use Amazon ads to keep my books visible and social media to drive readers to my books. If you want consistent sales, you need both.
Solution: Run small Amazon ads and post about your books on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The Winning Self-Publishing Formula
If you’re serious about making money with books, here’s the exact formula I use:
MiniHER Books + Email List + Premium Offer = Real Publishing Income
Ready to turn your books into a business? That’s exactly why I created Profitable Publishers Collective—a community where I show you step-by-step how to make money in self-publishing.
👉 Join us today and stop playing small with your books!
Comment Below: Have you fallen for any of these self-publishing myths? What’s your biggest challenge with making money from books? Let’s talk!
