Introduction
This is a conversation I’ve had with many authors. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your book—edited, designed, and published it. What now? Crickets. No reviews, no sales, no readers. Does this sound familiar? Well, you’re not alone.
After working with hundreds of authors, I’ve identified the 7 biggest pain points self-published writers face—and more importantly, how to fix them. Let’s dive in.
No One Knows My Book Exists
Your book is published, and it’s waiting for some readers to come along and buy it, but nothing is happening. You have no sales.
The Problem
With over 4 million books published annually, discoverability is brutal. No matter how great your book is, sadly it will sit on the shelf without anyone knowing it is even there.
The Fix
Get featured on blogs/podcasts (like Blue Crab Books Blog and Blue Crab Books Podcast).
Leverage “reader magnets” (Give free chapters in exchange for email signups).
Run low-cost giveaways (Use sites like BookSirens or StoryOrigin).
Pro Tip: Focus on niche communities (e.g., Facebook groups for “Cozy Mystery Lovers”).
I Don’t Know How to Market
The Problem
Writing is your passion—not ads or algorithms. Like most writers you’re not an experienced marketing professional, or a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) specialist.
The Fix
Repurpose content: Turn blog posts into Twitter threads, book excerpts into Pinterest pins. All you need to do is tweak them a little for each platform.
Use templates: Swipe my free book promo kit for social media posts.
Try “soft selling”: Share behind-the-scenes writing struggles instead of “BUY MY BOOK.” People love to get the inside scoop on things.
Case Study: Romance author Lena Wise boosted sales by 40% by posting “deleted scenes” on Instagram.
Reviews are Impossible to Get
The Problem
Amazon bans reviews from friends, and strangers won’t bite.
The Fix
Submit to review blogs (Like Reedsy’s Discovery).
Ask readers gently: Add a “PS: Reviews help indie authors like me!” in your ebook.
Use Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) services: Booksprout or NetGalley (Budget-friendly options exist!).
Avoid: Paying for reviews (Against Amazon’s Terms of Service!).
Social Media Feels Useless
The Problem
You’re posting into the void with zero engagement.
The Fix
Pick 1 platform (Where your readers live—e.g., BookTok for YA, LinkedIn for biz books).
Engage, don’t broadcast: Comment on bigger authors’ posts to borrow their audience. Remember, you need to give the reader something of value.
Go viral with “stories”: Share “3 lessons from writing my book” in a carousel post.
Point of View (POV): You’re a reader who just found the PERFECT book…” [Show your cover]
Formatting & Publishing is Overwhelming
The Problem
ISBNs, trim sizes, and KDP dashboards—oh my! Also, converting your print book to an eBook or an eBook to a print book is not as easy as you thought. There’s so much to learn about this, especially with fixed layout books such as children’s books or cookbooks.
The Fix
Hire a formatter (Blue Crab Books offers this service for an affordable price).
Use Atticus (All-in-one tool for eBook/print).
Follow a checklist: Grab our Self-Publishing Roadmap (to be published soon on Blue Crab Books).
Mistake to Avoid: Skipping paperback (20% of readers still prefer print!).
My Book Stopped Selling After Launch
The Problem
The 30-day “new release” boost is gone. Now what?
The Fix
Run a price-drop promo (Pair with Freebooksy or Bargain Booksy).
Republish with a new subtitle (e.g., “Now with Discussion Questions!”).
Turn it into a series (Book 1 free = funnel to Book 2).
Example: Fantasy author J.D. Evans revived dead sales by adding a prequel short story.
I Can’t Afford Expensive Ads
Not many authors can afford expensive advertising. Here’s what you can do about that.
The Problem
Facebook ads feel like gambling.
The Fix
Swap ads for partnerships: Team up with 5 authors in your genre for a “book bundle.”
Try LinkedIn or Pinterest (Lower competition for biz/children’s books).
Get creative: Offer a free webinar (“How I Wrote My Book”) to collect emails.
Free Tool: BookBrush for ad-quality graphics.
Stop Trying to Do It All
The secret? Focus on 1-2 strategies (e.g., guest posts + weekly Pinterest pins) at a time.
Need Hands-On Help?
If you feel overwhelmed, or you would like some help here are some of our services.
At Blue Crab Books, we specialize in:
- Book featured on our Blog or Podcast (Get more exposure for your book).
- Formatting Help
- Book Cover Design
- Social Media Marketing
What’s your biggest struggle? Comment below—I’ll reply with personalized advice!