Why Most eBooks Fail — and How to Make Yours Stand Out

Discover why most eBooks never reach success and how poor editing, weak marketing, or unclear strategy can ruin potential bestsellers. Learn the secrets authors use to make their fictional and non-fictional books stand out in the competitive world of ebook publishing.

In today’s fast-changing world of book publishing and eBook publishing, digital books are more than just convenient reads — they’re storytelling powerhouses and brand-building tools. From emerging authorsto established publishing houses, from fictional books and non-fictional books to children’s eBooks filled with imaginative children’s stories, the opportunities are endless.

Yet here’s the paradox:

despite the boom, most eBooks fail to make an impact. They’re downloaded once, then quietly forgotten in a folder.

So, what’s going wrong — and how can your eBook rise above the noise?

Let’s decode the real reasons and uncover what separates a forgettable download from a digital masterpiece.

1. No Clear Purpose — Just Pretty Pages

Many creators jump into eBook publishing without asking the most important question: Why are we doing this?

With over 1 billion eBook readers worldwide and a global market worth nearly US $15 billion in 2025, the competition is enormous. Simply producing an eBook isn’t enough — it needs a strategy.

Is your goal:

• Generate leads for your brand?
• Build authority in your niche?
• Share educational insights?
• Launch your journey as an author?

Industry Snapshot

• 23% of Americans (aged 16+) read an eBook in the past year (compared to 67% reading print).
• Yet, 60% of purchased eBooks are never opened, indicating low reader engagement despite high accessibility.

Every chapter, design choice, and call-to-action should align with your “why.” Without it, your eBook will look nice but lack impact — like a well-decorated house with no foundation.

Start with the end in mind — define your goal before you write your first sentence. The right purpose gives every page a direction.

2. Too Much Information, Too Little Insight

In non-fictional books and corporate eBooks alike, more data doesn’t mean more value.

Yes, the U.S. sold 191 million eBooks in 2020 — but digital formats made up just 6.9% of publishing revenue in 2022. Why? Because most eBooks overload instead of enlighten.

Readers don’t want another data dump. They want clarity, perspective, and actionable insight they can use today.

Simplify complex ideas. A clear, well-structured paragraph beats ten pages of jargon every time.

3. Forgetting the Power of Design

An eBook that looks like a Word document will perform like one.

Design isn’t decoration — it’s communication. Typography, layout, color palette, and spacing decide whether a reader scrolls or quits.

With an average revenue per eBook reader (ARPU) of just US $13.97, every design detail counts. Beautifully designed children’s eBooks and fictional books prove that storytelling is not only about words — it’s about experience.

Design your eBook for how people read online — visually, quickly, and intuitively. Aesthetic clarity leads to better retention.

4. Weak Storytelling and Structure

Even the best information can fall flat without emotion.

Whether you’re writing children’s stories, fictional books, or business eBooks, structure matters. A great eBook reads like a journey: a captivating beginning, a middle full of insight, and an ending that inspires action.

Despite eBook revenues growing 6% year-on-year in 2024, average engagement time has dropped below 4 minutes per session — because many eBooks read like instruction manuals instead of stories.

Build your eBook like a story arc — keep curiosity alive from start to finish. Emotion makes information memorable.

5. Invisible SEO and Poor Distribution

Here’s a truth the book publishing industry often ignores: even the best eBook will fail if no one finds it.

Your eBook needs a digital distribution strategy. Optimize your landing page for relevant keywords like “free eBook for content writers”, “expert guide”, or “business playbook.” Promote it through your email newsletters, social media, and reader communities.

EBooks make up just 10% of U.S. trade publishing revenue, proving that visibility is the real battle — not content creation.

Treat your eBook like a product launch, not a side project. Market it with intention and consistency..

6. The Absence of Real Value

The harshest publishing statistic?

Over 90% of self-published books sell fewer than 100 copies.

That’s not a discoverability problem — it’s a value problem.

Readers exchange their time (and often their contact details) for something useful. If your eBook doesn’t deliver real takeaways, they’ll move on — fast.

Whether it’s non-fictional insight, a fictional escape, or an educational children’s story, your content must reward the reader.

Give readers a reason to remember your work — offer insights they can apply the moment they close your eBook

7. Overlooking Professional Support: Ghostwriting & Editing

Even the most visionary authors need collaboration. Many successful eBooks are built with the help of ghostwriting and book editing professionals who refine structure, tone, and flow while preserving your unique message.

A professional ghostwriter can turn your idea into a polished manuscript, while an editor ensures your storytelling shines — whether you’re writing fictional books, non-fictional books, or a children’s eBook.

Invest in skilled eyes. The right ghostwriter or editor can transform your draft from good to unforgettable.

Summary & Industry Statistics

The latest data in the book publishing and eBook publishing industry highlights why so many digital titles underperform — and what authors, publishers, and content creators can learn from these trends.

Reader Engagement: Only 23% of Americans aged 16+ read an eBook in the past year, compared to 67% who read print books. Print continues to dominate, indicating that eBooks must deliver stronger storytelling and emotional value to attract attention.

Reader Behavior: About 60% of purchased eBooks are never opened. This shows that downloads don’t equal engagement — well-defined purpose, design, and messaging are key to retaining readers.

Market Trends: In the UK, eBook sales dropped 17% in one year (2016) while print sales increased. Readers continue to crave tangible, immersive experiences, making structure and visual storytelling vital to success.

Library Economics: eBooks can cost up to 2.6× more than print copies for libraries, creating challenges for institutional adoption. Pricing strategies must balance accessibility with profitability.

Usability Challenges: Many readers — particularly students — face difficulties with annotation, navigation, and device compatibility, leading to lower completion rates. A seamless reading experience remains a top priority.

Market Volume: Over 2.3 million self-published titles are released each year, yet 90% sell fewer than 100 copies. Oversaturation without differentiation leads to invisibility, making unique branding and professional editing essential.

Revenue Share: eBooks account for only around 10% of total U.S. trade publishing revenue, showing that despite wide availability, digital visibility and conversion remain key challenges.

Design & Editing Impact: Professionally designed and edited eBooks see 30–40% higher engagement than self-edited ones. Investing in ghostwriting, book editing, and creative design directly boosts performance and credibility.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Just Publish — Perform

EBooks don’t fail because the format is weak, but because strategy, design, and differentiation are often missing and the execution lacked direction and depth. Success lies in combining strong storytelling, professional presentation, and data-driven marketing to create eBooks that inform, inspire, and truly stand out.

A standout eBook blends:

• Strategy (Why are we writing this?)
• Storytelling (How will it make readers feel?)
• Science (How will it rank, convert, and scale?)

Whether you’re launching your first fictional book, educating readers with a non-fictional eBook, or inspiring young minds through children’s stories, remember

The goal isn’t to publish content. It’s to create impact.

Your story deserves to be read, remembered, and shared.
The next step? Make it unforgettable!

Most eBooks fail not because authors lack creativity, but because they skip essential publishing foundations — from editing and design to marketing strategy. Understanding these weak spots is your first step to success. If you’re wondering what truly makes a book stand out, check out our next guide on Key Points to Publish a Book, where we break down every element that turns a simple manuscript into a professional masterpiece.