I’m still writing about that webinar from the last two posts, on how to become a profitable author in less than six months, which was directly connected to some online challenge you can take. I’m really thankful I had the opportunity to listen to the session.

In my first post I explained why this approach can’t work for me, but as I said before, such events are a gold mine for tips, suggestions, and some sound advice. The idea to revamp my last novel came after one such freebie in September.

Photo by Jon Eric Marababol on Unsplash

In any case, authors, particularly rookies, make various mistakes, but according to one presenter, there are four ‘shocking’ ones (no less!) preventing them from making money out of their passion.

They don’t seem that shocking to me (the title of his presentation sounded a bit like the ads for anti-wrinkle creams: “Shocking! An 80-year old grandma looks as if she is her own granddaughter!” Never mind that now.

On to shocking mistake no.1

To write a book and THEN try to figure out how to turn it into a bestseller, instead of doing what successful authors do – they first figure out what kind of book would be a bestseller and then they write it. There you are.

Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash

Sounds kinda complicated, but in fact it boils down to the well-known mantra: great title, great cover, killer blurbs, reviews. We should write for the readers and give them what they want. I think most of us do write so that others can read our books. And I think I write what they want. I only wish there were more of them.

The remedy? Do surveys, test different titles, covers, blurbs, ask people for feedback. In other words, don’t guess (guessing is mistake #2), but assess. Find out how to fit into your niche, and then do something that seems contradictory – find a way to stand out. You make mistake #3 if you think a great book is enough. It isn’t. You’re not selling your book , but your perception of how the book is good.

Amen.

The last mistake, well… No. 4 is a tad controversial. And it deserves its own post.

Before I leave, here is B. B. King and Rock Me, Baby.