Make sure you check out Debbie's Discussion for a video overview of the article - it's down the page

The Big Mistake Most Authors Make

Most authors spend months - sometimes years - writing their book. They research, outline, edit, and obsess over every detail. The cover, the table of contents, the foreword - everything gets attention.

But then comes marketing… and suddenly it’s an afterthought.

This is where things fall apart.

Writing a book is a huge accomplishment. Many people never finish. So if you’ve written one - or you’re in the process - you’re already ahead of the game.

But if your goal is to monetize your book, then writing alone isn’t enough.

If You Want Sales, Marketing Comes First

Let’s be real: most authors don’t just want to “feel good” about writing a book - they want it to sell.

And yet, many don’t think about:

• Who the book is for
• How it will be positioned
• What messaging will attract buyers
• How it will actually get in front of readers

Here’s the truth: your marketing should be planned before you even write the book.

In fact, your marketing message might shape what you write inside the book itself.

Think of it like this - when creating digital products, the smartest creators focus on:

• The target audience
• The sales message
• How it will be sold

Before they even build the product.

Your book should be no different.

The Missing Piece: Reviews

There’s one critical component most authors completely overlook:

Reviews.

This isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Too many authors take the “if I build it, they will come” approach. But the reality is:

They won’t.

Not without visibility. Not without credibility. Not without proof.

And that’s exactly what reviews provide.

Smart authors plan their marketing before writing their book

Why Reviews Matter So Much

Reviews do three powerful things:

• They build trust instantly
• They act as social proof
• They influence buying decisions

In a crowded market - where there are thousands of high-quality books - readers rely on reviews to decide what’s worth their time and money.

And today, with AI making content creation easier than ever, the bar is higher.

Quality matters more. And reviews reflect that quality.

The Magic Number: 7–15 Reviews

Here’s the good news:

You don’t need hundreds of reviews to get started.

You only need 7 to 15 reviews.

That’s it.

Those first reviews create momentum. They give your book legitimacy. They help convert early buyers.

And once that happens, something powerful kicks in:

The snowball effect.

Your book starts gaining traction organically. More readers → more reviews → more sales.

And eventually, it becomes hands-off.

Why Most Authors Never Get There

Because they never plan for it.

They publish their book… and hope.

Hope is not a strategy.

Getting reviews should be part of your process from day one - not something you “maybe” do later.

Build Reviews Into Your Plan From the Start

If you’re serious about selling your book, then your plan should include:

• How you’ll get your first readers
• How you’ll encourage reviews
• How you’ll automate or simplify the process

The goal isn’t to make this complicated.

It’s actually simple - and fast - when done right.

Remember: you only need 7–15 reviews to get the ball rolling.

Easy. Achievable. Essential.

Final Thought

If you’re writing a book to make money, don’t wait until it’s finished to think about marketing.

Start with the end in mind.

Plan your promotion. Define your audience. And most importantly - build your review strategy early.

Because a great book without reviews?

Is a book no one trusts enough to buy.

Debbie's Discussions