8 Costly Mistakes Self-Published Authors Make (And When Spending Actually Pays Off)

 Are You Wasting Money as a Self-Published Author?

Many self-published authors dream of hitting six figures but stall out because they pour money into the wrong things. If you’ve been struggling with low royalties despite hard work, the problem isn’t always your writing, it’s often what you’re spending money on. Let’s break down the top 8 areas where indie authors waste money, and when spending can actually give you a positive ROI.

1. Should You Hire a Personal Assistant?

Hire a PA only when you have recurring tasks that must be done but cost you less to outsource than the income you could earn in the same time writing or running profitable Amazon ads. For example, if an assistant costs you $20/hour but you can make $100/hour by writing and publishing, the math makes sense. Otherwise, it’s a financial drain.

2. Do Teaser Images Really Sell Books?

Pretty graphics and teaser images are fun, but they don’t convert strangers into buyers. If you already have a loyal fanbase, these images can help with engagement. But for discoverability, you’re better off investing in BookBub Featured Deals or strategic Amazon keyword ads that put your book in front of readers already searching for your genre. If you’re looking for exposure without ads, you can also submit your book to Review Free Books to reach readers who are actively hunting for new titles to review.

3. Is a Website or Branding Package Worth It?

A gorgeous logo and branding kit won’t sell books on their own. For most indie authors, websites only become worthwhile after their books are already profitable. What matters more is having a simple, functional site where you can capture emails. A professional Reedsy designer for your covers will do far more for sales than a fancy branding package.

4. Should You Buy Marketing or Advertising Books?

Low-cost ebooks on “how to market your novel” are usually loss leaders. The advanced strategies aren’t inside the $2.99 ebook, they’re inside the author’s paid program. Save time: if you trust the teacher, skip the ebook and go straight to training. Compare the results of their clients (not just book buyers) before you invest.

Want to know what separates the real experts from the ones just selling advice?
Read What Most Author Coaches Won’t Tell You to learn the truth about how top-earning authors actually grow, and what to look for before you invest in any program.

5. Do Awards & Contests Matter?

Unless the contest comes with proven advertising or industry exposure, paying to win doesn’t translate into readers. A self-published author who spends $100 on a vanity award will get bragging rights, but not sales. If you want recognition that matters, invest in things like launch promotions that actually drive visibility on Amazon’s new release charts.

6. Why Cheap Services Hurt Your Career

Cheap covers, editing, or ads from amateurs may seem like a deal, but they cost you sales and reputation. For example, a $50 Canva-made cover can sink your click-through rate, while a $500 genre-appropriate cover can boost visibility and sales by thousands. Better to save up for one pro investment than waste money ten times on low-quality work.

7. Are Audiobooks & Translations Worth It?

Not if your ebooks aren’t selling. These formats can add ~5% revenue to books that are already profitable, but won’t rescue a book that isn’t moving copies. Focus first on making your ebook and paperback profitable with solid launches and advertising strategies. Once you’ve hit steady royalties, then expand into translations.

8. What About Author Luxuries?

Vacations are amazing. But consider this: one smaller trip invested into professional editing or strategic book promotion newsletters could set you up to afford two trips a year long term. Think like an entrepreneur, short-term sacrifices create long-term freedom.

Smarter Investments for Indie Authors

Instead of wasting money, here’s what self-published authors should actually do:

• Invest in professional editing. Readers will not forgive sloppy writing. A skilled editor ensures your story flows, hooks readers, and keeps them coming back for the next book. Our recommendation is to check out Zero Alchemy editing services designed specifically for indie authors.

• Get a genre-appropriate book cover. Covers are the #1 sales driver in online bookstores. The right design signals to readers immediately that your book belongs in the genre they love. A strong cover improves your click-through rate on Amazon and BookBub, which directly improves sales.

• Plan strong launches. The first 30–90 days on Amazon are critical. Strategic launches can generate enough sales velocity to push your book into Amazon’s recommendation engine, multiplying organic reach. This is one of the pillars we guide authors through inside the Seven Figure Author Career program, where client breakthroughs often happen. 
  
  
  

   

   

   _{Proof that the right strategies work: real results from authors inside our coaching programs. Rebecca Hamilton and her team have helped hundreds of self-published authors scale to six and seven figures.}

• Use advertising wisely. Ads are not magic, but they do accelerate a profitable system. Amazon and Facebook ads can turn steady sales into scalable royalties if your cover, blurb, and targeting are in alignment. Start small, measure results, and scale what works.

• Leverage book promotion newsletters. Platforms like BookBub, Freebooksy, and Ereader News Today put your book in front of readers actively looking to buy. These work especially well during launches or promo periods, and they can provide higher conversion rates per click than ads.

• Keep learning. The publishing landscape evolves quickly. The authors who scale are the ones who keep updating their strategies.

Pro Tip: Don’t go it alone. Join our free Facebook community where thousands of self-published authors share tips, advice, and resources to help each other succeed. It’s a supportive space where you’ll find both free education and encouragement.

When every dollar you spend has a clear ROI, your path to six figures accelerates. Stop wasting money on vanity expenses and start investing where it counts: editing, covers, launches, ads, and education. Done right, these are the building blocks of a six-figure author career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Should self-published authors pay for awards?
In most cases, no. Paid awards are often vanity contests that don’t impact sales. Instead, focus your budget on proven visibility strategies like launch promotions or advertising.

Are audiobooks worth it for indie authors?
Yes, but only if your ebook and paperback are already profitable. Audiobooks usually add about 5% to revenue. They’re great for expansion, not for saving a book that isn’t selling.

Do self-published authors really need a website?
Eventually, yes. But early on, a simple landing page for email capture is all you need. Focus on sales first, then build branding once you’re profitable.

What’s the best investment for new authors?
Professional editing and a strong genre-appropriate cover. These two factors alone determine whether readers will finish your book and whether they’ll buy it in the first place.

Can I make six figures without advertising?
Yes, it’s possible with strategic launches and newsletters. But advertising accelerates growth dramatically once your fundamentals (cover, blurb, story) are aligned.