Tired of seeing the same opinions in your self publishing community? Unpopular Opinion posts spark lively, respectful debates that get everyone thinking. Use these templates to challenge assumptions, invite unique perspectives, and keep your community engaged and growing.
Plan your content calendar and auto-post to Skool, Circle, or Mighty Networks
Unpopular Opinion posts leverage curiosity and the human love of debate. When members see a viewpoint that contradicts the norm, it encourages them to reflect, respond, and even reconsider their own positions. This type of content can break echo chambers and foster meaningful discussions that go beyond surface-level agreement.
By inviting members to respectfully share and explain their less common views, you help them feel heard and valued. This boosts a sense of belonging and can lead to deeper connections between members. When managed well, these posts become a safe space for civil discourse, critical thinking, and creative exchange, all vital for a thriving self publishing community.
Unpopular opinion: Self publishing is sometimes better than traditional publishing for new authors. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Self publishing is sometimes better than traditional publishing for new authors. Agree or disagree?"
I believe paying for professional editing is overrated in self publishing. What are your thoughts?
💡 Example: "I believe paying for professional editing is overrated in self publishing. What are your thoughts?"
Hot take: Book covers matter less than people think in self publishing.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Book covers matter less than people think in self publishing."
Unpopular opinion: You do not need a large social media following to succeed in self publishing. Agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: You do not need a large social media following to succeed in self publishing. Agree?"
Share an unpopular opinion you hold about book pricing in self publishing.
💡 Example: "Share an unpopular opinion you hold about book pricing in self publishing."
I think writing to market can hurt creativity. Anyone else feel the same?
💡 Example: "I think writing to market can hurt creativity. Anyone else feel the same?"
Is self publishing really as hard as people say? I do not think so.
💡 Example: "Is self publishing really as hard as people say? I do not think so."
Unpopular opinion: Paying for Amazon ads is rarely worth it. What has your experience been?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Paying for Amazon ads is rarely worth it. What has your experience been?"
I believe rapid release strategies are not sustainable for most indie authors.
💡 Example: "I believe rapid release strategies are not sustainable for most indie authors."
Why do we assume self published books are lower quality? I think that stereotype is outdated.
💡 Example: "Why do we assume self published books are lower quality? I think that stereotype is outdated."
Unpopular opinion: Formatting your own book is not as scary as it sounds. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Formatting your own book is not as scary as it sounds. Who agrees?"
I think genre rules are too limiting for self publishers. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I think genre rules are too limiting for self publishers. Thoughts?"
Share an unpopular opinion about book launch tactics.
💡 Example: "Share an unpopular opinion about book launch tactics."
Hot take: Beta readers can sometimes do more harm than good.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Beta readers can sometimes do more harm than good."
I think most self publishers underprice their books. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "I think most self publishers underprice their books. Do you agree?"
Unpopular opinion: Audiobooks are not essential for indie success.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Audiobooks are not essential for indie success."
Do you think self published authors should avoid writing series? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Do you think self published authors should avoid writing series? Why or why not?"
Unpopular opinion: Reviews are overrated for self publishing success.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Reviews are overrated for self publishing success."
What is a self publishing myth you think most people believe but is not true?
💡 Example: "What is a self publishing myth you think most people believe but is not true?"
I feel that hiring a cover designer is unnecessary for some genres. Anyone agree?
💡 Example: "I feel that hiring a cover designer is unnecessary for some genres. Anyone agree?"
Share an unpopular opinion about self publishing platforms like KDP or IngramSpark.
💡 Example: "Share an unpopular opinion about self publishing platforms like KDP or IngramSpark."
Hot take: Most marketing advice for self publishers does not work.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Most marketing advice for self publishers does not work."
I believe self published books can have more creative freedom than traditionally published ones.
💡 Example: "I believe self published books can have more creative freedom than traditionally published ones."
Unpopular opinion: You do not need to publish fast to build a loyal audience.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: You do not need to publish fast to build a loyal audience."
What do you think about the idea that self published authors should not pay for reviews?
💡 Example: "What do you think about the idea that self published authors should not pay for reviews?"
Hot take: Writing under a pen name can limit your success.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Writing under a pen name can limit your success."
Do you think self published books should aim for awards, or focus on readers?
💡 Example: "Do you think self published books should aim for awards, or focus on readers?"
I believe print books are becoming less important for self publishers.
💡 Example: "I believe print books are becoming less important for self publishers."
Unpopular opinion: Book giveaways do not help boost long-term sales.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Book giveaways do not help boost long-term sales."
Share an unpopular opinion about self publishing newsletters.
💡 Example: "Share an unpopular opinion about self publishing newsletters."
I think most writing advice does not apply to self publishers. What do you think?
💡 Example: "I think most writing advice does not apply to self publishers. What do you think?"
Should self published authors focus on one genre or write across many?
💡 Example: "Should self published authors focus on one genre or write across many?"
Unpopular opinion: Preorders are overrated for self publishers.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Preorders are overrated for self publishers."
Hot take: Self publishers should not worry about going wide until later.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Self publishers should not worry about going wide until later."
What is a common self publishing practice you disagree with?
💡 Example: "What is a common self publishing practice you disagree with?"
I think self published authors should not obsess over bestseller lists.
💡 Example: "I think self published authors should not obsess over bestseller lists."
Unpopular opinion: Genre tropes are not as important as originality.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Genre tropes are not as important as originality."
Do you think self publishers spend too much on marketing? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Do you think self publishers spend too much on marketing? Why or why not?"
Hot take: Self publishing success is more about persistence than talent.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Self publishing success is more about persistence than talent."
Share an unpopular opinion about author websites for self publishers.
💡 Example: "Share an unpopular opinion about author websites for self publishers."
I believe paid promotions are not necessary for every new book launch.
💡 Example: "I believe paid promotions are not necessary for every new book launch."
Do you think self published authors should skip print editions? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Do you think self published authors should skip print editions? Why or why not?"
Choose a template that fits your community's current conversations or recent trends. Post at a time when members are most active to ensure maximum visibility. Start by sharing your own take or inviting responses, and gently guide the conversation as needed to keep it respectful. Encourage explanations, not just quick reactions, and remember to thank those who contribute thoughtful insights. Always monitor the thread closely and intervene if discussions become heated or disrespectful.
No matter the platform, keep your post text concise and direct. Use questions or statements that invite members to elaborate. On platforms with threaded replies, prompt members to respond to each other as well as the original post. Use relevant hashtags or topic tags to increase visibility and keep related debates organized. Always monitor comments and step in if tone shifts away from respectful discussion.
Craft Unpopular Opinion posts that directly address widely accepted KDP strategies—such as keyword stuffing or rapid release schedules—but frame them as conversation starters rather than criticisms. Encourage respectful debate by inviting members to share their own experiences with the algorithm and highlight that there is no one-size-fits-all approach in the self publishing world.
You can use prompts like 'Traditional publishing contracts are overrated for debut authors' or 'Indie authors should never chase bestseller lists.' These statements tap into common debates about advances, royalties, and the value of creative control, generating detailed discussions specific to the self publishing landscape.
When using templates to discuss controversial topics like ghostwriting or review manipulation, phrase opinions in a way that explores both the risks and rewards. Clearly state your community's ethical standards and platform rules in the post, and moderate discussions closely to ensure respectful and legal exchanges.
Absolutely. Use statements like 'Spending thousands on cover design is unnecessary for indies' or 'Formatting software is a waste of money.' These opinions encourage members to share their actual experiences with production costs, tools like Vellum or Canva, and how investment levels affected sales, offering real-world insight for the community.
Preface such posts with a reminder that these are discussion starters, not dictates. For example, 'Some say rapid release is the only path to success—here’s why I disagree.' Encourage responses from both established and new authors to show a range of perspectives, and highlight that there are many viable routes in self publishing.
Pose opinions like '99-cent ebooks hurt indie authors long-term' or 'Print books are a waste of effort for beginners.' Ask follow-up questions in the template, such as 'How has book pricing affected your sales?' or 'What pricing experiments have you tried?' This prompts in-depth, specific sharing around pricing tactics unique to the self publishing industry.
Skool · Circle · Mighty Networks