All good things come to those who wait, isn’t that what they
say? Patience is a virtue? And I totally agree. And I’ve been patient, Lord,
I’ve been. But how long can I keep it up? Writing a minimum of three hours a
day, everyday; marketing and promoting at least an hour a day, more if I don’t
write as much, jotting down notes on napkins, and bits of paper. And it is
paying off, as anyone who reads my blog or follows me on social networks knows.
I have sold thousands of ebooks and given away tens of thousands in promotions.
But my patience to hit it big is wearing thin. This usually happens when I’m
near completion of a book as I am with IMAGINATION. Self-doubt begins to creep
in overshadowing the grand accomplishment of actually finishing a book. I get
antsy that more people haven’t discovered me and sometimes feel lost on how to
get more exposure. But as always, these doubts will lift as I begin the process
of getting my newest onto Amazon and Smashwords and into the world. As I look
at the last two years since my first ebook AFTER was published, I do get a rise
in how much my blog has grown and how many people read it (to date more than a
quarter million hits). My sales, though impressive to some, are still way below
what I’d hoped them to be, especially in the U.K where it almost seems like
I’ve dropped off the map. I do have three prominent promotions coming up for
three different books. Maybe that will get the ball rolling again. Just one
viral pop, that’s all I’m asking for. One chance for millions to get a glimpse
of what I do and the kinds of stories I write. Then if sales disappear I’ve got
only myself to blame. Even then I’ll still write. It’s what I’m hard-wired to
do.
I see your promos on bookblogs. Do you think heavy duty promo there helps your sales? I feel like I never want two emails in someone's mailbox next to each other from the same person from two different bookblog sites so I try to stagger them. I sell on a much smaller scale than you do, and I feel like I know what to do. I am just sick of doing it. But to me it is a pastime, not a career choice, so I tend to back off when it is not seeming like fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing. I generally write a post and send it only once to all the sites I belong to. Some people may miss it and some may get two or three of the same message. But I never repeat it.
DeleteHello! I'm a new follower via Book Blogs. I would love for you to stop by and visit my blog if you get a chance! Best of luck to you and your writing.
ReplyDeleteMaMa's Book Corner
@Neil. Oh that is not at all what I meant to convey. I am sorry, Neil, but I seem to have trouble making myself clear lately. I greatly admire your ability to have a presence as I have not the will to attempt it. It is just that when I post an announcement on more than one bookblog site, it shows up in someone's mailbox as a string of messages. So I try to stagger them. I have at least found a way to have a nice blurb and just insert it which saves me time, but I am losing interest.
ReplyDeleteI was really just wondering if you notice an appreciable relationship between your bookblog posts and your blog hits. I do, but I still don't see it show up in sales. Well, maybe minimally. I feel like I am so far down on the food chain here. I certainly did not intend to denigrate your efforts, and your books look very professional and interesting. Please keep in touch if you can.