Writing a book can change your business.
But only if you avoid the mistakes that keep most authors stuck, scattered, or invisible.
At Summit Press, we’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t—after helping hundreds of coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs write books that grow their business.
Here are the 10 most common mistakes we see. Avoid them, and you’ll be miles ahead.
1. Writing Without a Clear Goal
Many aspiring authors sit down to write without knowing what success looks like.
Is the goal to build authority? Generate leads? Open speaking doors?
If you don’t define success up front, you’ll write a book that feels aimless—and it won’t drive results.
✅ Define your core outcome before you write a single word.
2. Trying to Speak to Everyone
Your book isn’t for “everyone.” It’s for a specific someone.
When you write too broadly, you dilute your message—and lose your reader.
✅ Write to one ideal client. Solve their exact problem.
3. Starting with Chapter One
Chapter One should be one of the last things you write.
Starting there traps you in linear thinking and often leads to stalled momentum.
✅ Start with your table of contents and structure first. Strategy drives clarity.
4. Overloading with Information
Books that try to teach everything teach nothing.
If your book reads like a data dump, readers won’t finish it—and they certainly won’t hire you.
✅ Focus on transformation, not encyclopedic detail.
5. Holding Back the Good Stuff
Some authors are afraid to “give away too much.” But vague, surface-level content won’t inspire trust—or action.
✅ Give away the “what” and “why.” Save the personalized “how” for your paid services.
6. Ignoring the Reader’s Journey
Your reader should feel seen, understood, and supported from start to finish.
Too many books are all about the author. That’s a mistake.
✅ Make your reader the hero. You’re the guide.
7. Using a Journal Instead of a Blueprint
Writing from the heart is great. But rambling doesn’t convert.
Books without structure rarely get finished—or read.
✅ Use a proven framework for structure, pacing, and flow.
8. Obsessing Over Perfection
Many would-be authors never publish because they’re chasing the perfect book.
Spoiler: it doesn’t exist.
✅ Done is better than perfect. Aim for impact, not literary immortality.
9. DIYing the Entire Process
You might be an expert in your field—but you’re probably not a book strategist, editor, designer, and marketer all in one.
Trying to do it all yourself slows you down—and costs you results.
✅ Get help from people who’ve done it before. That’s what we do at Summit.
10. Ending Without a Next Step
The biggest missed opportunity? No call to action.
Your book should build trust—and then guide the reader to take the next step with you.
✅ Invite them to work with you. Send them to a landing page. Make it easy.
Want to Avoid These Mistakes Altogether?
Most new authors get stuck, stall out, or spin their wheels.
You don’t have to.
At Summit Press, we help aspiring authors write business books that do what they’re supposed to do—attract clients, build credibility, and grow your platform.
We’ll help you get the strategy, structure, and support you need to do it right.
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