I agree Deb, engaging and involving your readers is a critical part of marketing. I guess what makes it hard sometimes though, is that it feels like ‘life gets in the way’. It’s a poor excuse and when you are passionate about something then nothing should hinder you, but sometimes a hiatus is called for as you ponder your next move 🙂

Hi Lindsay,

I’m not sure why I’ve not seen this post so my apologies in the late reply but yes, do keep going! I got a couple of really lovely, genuine and positive feedbacks which spurred me on in amongst the dozens of rejections and no responses. I guess the important thing is to maintain faith in your abilities. If you feel passionate about what you have written then there will be an audience out there who will feel the same way. Best of luck 🙂

Thanks Kirtida 🙂

Hey Lorraine, Thank you! My apologies for not replying to you sooner, I’ve only just seen this. Your comments are well written and thought provoking. I too already am starting to wonder “What now? Where to from here?” I am reaching the point where I am starting to doubt my abilities; surely if it were good enough it would be flying by now and the dollars would be rolling in, along with offers of work? *Sigh* I realise that is unrealistic but I’m a typical dreaming pisces. Meanwhile I tap away at my keyboard and keep the faith :).

A book, a short story, pretty much anything you create, has an end. You may take a while getting there, but once it’s been pricked and prodded into perfect shape, you send it out into the world and let it fly, buh bye, see ya, I’m on to my next book.

Marketing?? No such luck. IT’S NEVER DONE. And in that aspect alone, it’s harder.

You not only have to keep doing it, keep finding ways to afford it, you’ve also got to find ways to do it DIFFERENTLY. Better. More effective. You can’t keep tweeting the same things, people in your Facebook circle start to weary of your book posts; there are only so many giveaways and freebie sessions you can do, and damn if the bigger stuff doesn’t cost an arm and a leg!

Personally, after almost two full years of marketing two different novels, I’m taking a small step back. I’ve used up my current budget, so all efforts have to be in the “free” column, and I feel a tinge of burnout. So a breather is in order. My stuff is all still up and out there, still available; I’ll still share new reviews, articles, etc., but it’s time to let it sit for a moment. Wouldn’t it be sweet if suddenly that sent stats flyin?? 🙂

Nice article, Siubhan, and I wish you all the best in your own journey.

Thanks Nadine, I agree, putting yourself out there and promoting yourself is hard. It’s not that I don’t believe in the quality of my work, I totally do, but I’ve never felt all that comfortable in a sales role and that’s where I find I’m at now. Thankfully you are also right in that my audience is large and constant, there will always be mums :).

I’m on my third book (four if you count one I edited and published). I learn with each one. This time around, I’m doing a lot more work in advance of the release (next March), trying to get reviews, doing giveaways, etc.

I would think with your topic you could do really well…you have a large niche audience who would probably love it. Good luck!