6 Mistakes To Avoid If You Want To Write A Best-Seller

By Guest Blogger Catrin Cooper│Some writers work really hard on their projects. Once they're done, they wish they could redo the whole thing. They might still be proud of the outcome, but they knew they could have done things differently.

When writing a book, you should realize that the act of writing and publishing can be challenging – and more difficult than you think.

Most amateur writers fail because they have no idea how to write, target, and market a book. Even renowned writers still make mistakes, thereby, experiencing failure.

As a result, they have not reached their primary goal, i.e., to become a best-seller. Some thought that they would become a successful writer if they transfer to one of the best cities for writers. Sometimes it helps, but it is not always the case.

In this post, we talk about the most common mistakes that you can avoid if you wish to become a best-selling author.

1. Ideas that don't sell.

To become a best-seller, you need to have ideas that sell. Your ideas have to target the needs and desires of your readers. You must provide them with a unique concept that is different from other published works. In this way, you will find lots of new readers.

You must write for the right reason. Marketable ideas do not necessarily mean having a good plot. It means that your ideas target the needs of your market. For that reason, it is vital that you produce ideas that are fresh, informative and unique.

2. Trying too hard.

It is understandable that you try hard to impress your readers. But if you try too hard, for example, to be impressive, then the outcome will be less impressive. In that case, go back to your story where you try to be intelligent or impressive and change it.

Use simple words. Your readers know that you have a thesaurus. Instead of using complicated words, you just have to utilize those easy-to-understand words to tell the story. Drop those obscure words. You can only use them if they are necessary to maintain voice or develop character. Doing so will not stop you from writing incisive prose. But you need to remember that an unfamiliar word will only trip your readers up.

If you are writing fiction, do not impress your reader with your research or knowledge about something. Keep in mind that your readers pick your book because they want to be entertained. They want to believe your story and transport them to a world that you want to create. Your goal is to create a story with emotions.

Do not write a story that is unnatural. It may impress your English professors, but it will not serve your target market. When your readers notice it, they will be distracted and get disengaged from your story.

If you wish to write a best-selling book, you need your readers to engage in the story. Once they are involved, they will not notice the words that you use. You want to avoid readers to admire how you write. Instead, you want them to engage in the story.

3. Writing for the money and not for your readers.

If you are writing only for the money, then you are writing for the wrong reason. Some authors write a book to rake in lots of profits. If you have this mindset, then you are doomed to fail.

The reason for this is that your creativity will not show up in your book because you are only concerned with the money. It is true that you wish to write a book as a way for you to earn some money. But if you focused on that part, then you cannot focus on the book and your target market, resulting in a sloppy result.

However, if you choose to be creative and not minding about the profit, then you will likely advance how you deliver the story. It improves how you present a valuable book to your audience.

4. No marketing, no money.

If you do not have a promotional plan, you can never sell thousands to millions of book worldwide, thereby, preventing yourself from becoming a best-selling author.

In your promotional plan, you need to write a book that targets your audience. You need to develop a foundation of readers in your market. Once you have a platform, you must study how you promote it to your potential readers.

Your promotional plan should include numerous action items. To ensure that your book sells, you must devote time in promoting it before it is released on the market and after releasing it.

Develop a careful planning to maximize your effort. That is why it is vital that you promote your book before you even write it. Then, make sure that you define your audience. Study them and know where they hang out online, so you know what platform to use when marketing the book. You should also get reviews and produce a book trailer if you can.

Regardless of how you market your book, you must have the right target market and create anticipation.

5. When the ‘do it yourself' attitude doesn't work.

Most of the time, writers need the help of other writers, editors, and marketers. You should know when you need a coach or a tool to help you become a successful author.

Successful individuals know that they need experts in helping them achieve their goals. Thus, make sure that you are willing to ask for support when you need it. It is necessary to fulfill your dream finally.

That said, do not hesitate to use a professional editor or proofreader. A copy editor or proofreader can check your mistakes and ensure that your book is flawless.

Sometimes, authors think that they are so good they do not commit mistakes.

But when you decide to use a copy editor or proofreader, you will be surprised to know that your book has hundreds of mistakes. If you do not seek the help of an editor, those errors will be seen by your readers. And it could affect your book’s profitability and marketability.

6. Edit, revise, and edit again.

It is a mistake that even well-known authors commit. Some writers are so relieved when they finish their book. As a result, they do not want to go back and review their writing. If you do so, you are likely to publish a mediocre book. For that reason, it is ideal that you go back to it, revise it so that you can turn the story into a good one to a great one.


Writing a book can be complicated. It is especially true if your goal is to become a best-selling author. These mistakes are some of the reasons most authors failed to reach their goals.

Thus, if you find yourself committing these mistakes, avoid them. Choose to do the right things so you can write and publish a best-selling book that fully engages your audience. So, start by having marketable ideas, avoid trying too hard, write for your audience and not for the money, seek support, hire a professional editor and proofreader and make sure to revise your draft.

About the Author


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Sarah Butland

Excellent ideas and written in a way that’s not standoffish, just telling it like it is.

Thanks for writing and reading,

Sarah Butland
author of Arm Farm, Life Imitated and Being Grateful, Being Thankful


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