How I Learned to Stop Dreaming and Start Hustling
The book is written, cover design is done and that bad boy is published. Great sense of accomplishment. Check. Now, what’s next? Short answer…selling. In order to sell you have to market your book. Honestly, marketing and selling Taming Armand and Bloody Endings along with building a solid following has been harder than actually writing the books. Sweating it out over the keys is the easy part. Once you hit publish the real work starts.
I will go into this blog with a note to the reader. These are all actions that I have recently begun to undertake. As a green as spinach author (with the first book, I hope by now that I at least have a little seasoning, although still a bit bland, LOL) I thought if I publish the book they will come. My writing alone will bring the reader to the yard so to speak.
Arrogantly I thought I blast it out once at the onset and the buyers will come. I would gain a mass following, quit the rat race and write full time in a surf shack in Hawaii. Hmmm…not with the previous strategy which was no strategy.
Hopefully, this blog will help you and continue to aid me in this publishing journey.
I was two books in when I thought ‘hey, maybe I should market my books to increase sells.’ If you laughed, I assure you we have no qualms. At this stage of the indie publishing game, it’s very intuitive to think how do I market? How do I get my book or story out there? How do I build an email list? These were not questions that came naturally to me.
The Marketing Reality: It’s a Marathon, not a sprint.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: marketing your indie book isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s an ongoing relationship you build with your readers, one awkward social media post at a time. But don’t worry – we’re all figuring it out together. Your lack of sells doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer, it’s only means no one knows your product exists, and you as the producer of that product have to make people aware or else they don’t buy.
- Start With Your Author Platform
Before you even think about paid ads get your foundation solid. Spend a little time and build an author website. Even a simple one-page site with your bio, books, and contact info beats having nothing. It gives people someone to go to find you.
You can do this for free. Now if you want to get fancy and have the website as your name or domain of your choosing you will have to pay, but if the budget is tight I would suggest you go with the free option. Trust me no one (aside from you) will care that your website name has something attached for instance .wordpress or the platform of your choosing.
2. Choose 2-3 social media platforms max.
Two to three social media platforms are recommended but I would say choose the number of platforms that you will realistically frequently update. If you hate a particular platform don’t use it. Although we are conducting business we still want to have a little fun and at the very least enjoy the content we make and share. Pick platforms where your readers actually hang out.
Social Media That Doesn’t Suck Your Soul
- BookTok/TikTok: Great for romance, fantasy, YA
- Instagram: Visual storytelling, behind-the-scenes content
- Facebook: Still huge for connecting with readers, especially in genre groups
- Twitter/X: Good for connecting with other authors and industry folks
TIP: Share your writing process, not just “buy my book” posts. People love behind-the-scenes content – show your messy desk, your coffee addiction, your cat interrupting your writing sessions.
Highlight: Don’t spread yourself thin trying to be everywhere at once. This was a mistake I made and it only lead to burn out and inconsistencies all around.
3. Start collecting emails from day one.
My email list is in-progress. It can be difficult asking people to provide their emails. It seems naughty. Or we ignore the opportunity to collect that valuable and key piece of information. But it doesn’t have to be awkward nor hard. Use a free service like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to capture reader interest.
The Power of the Email List (Yes, Really)
I know, I know – email lists sound about as exciting as watching paint dry. But here’s the truth: social media platforms can disappear or change their algorithms overnight. Your email list? That’s yours forever.
Quick email list building tips:
- Offer a free short story or chapter as a “reader magnet”
- Include signup links in the back of your books
- Mention your newsletter in every social media bio
4. Reviews: The Holy Grail (And How to Get Them)
Reviews are social proof that your book doesn’t completely suck. I am in need of more reviews I’m sure you are too; here’s some ways to get some or to get more.
- Ask family and friends to leave honest reviews (but follow platform guidelines)
- Join review exchange groups with other indie authors
- Send advance reader copies (ARCs) to book bloggers and BookTubers
- Follow up with readers: Include a gentle request for reviews in your book’s back matter
5. Network Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Does)
The indie author community is incredibly supportive once you find your tribe. It is a bit ironic that what we do for the most part is a solo endeavor, but all the other parts of writing does require some interaction with community. Nobody understands nor will listen to you moan and groan about editing and cover designs like a fellow author. Trust me on this one. I would suggest:
- Join Facebook groups for your genre
- Attend virtual book events and author conferences
- Collaborate with other authors: Cross-promotion, anthology submissions, guest blog posts
- Support other indie authors: Like, share, and review their work – it often comes back around
6.Take it Easy on the Pockets
You don’t need a Hollywood budget to market effectively. Keep it simple in the early stages.
Free or Cheap Options:
- BookFunnel and StoryOrigin promotions: Group giveaways and newsletter swaps
- Genre-specific Facebook groups: Share when allowed, but engage genuinely first
- Local opportunities: Library events, book clubs, writing groups
- Podcast guesting: Many book podcasts are always looking for author interviews
Now only you can decide when and if you need to spend money on marketing. When you’re ready to spend a little here are some helpful hints:
- BookBub Featured Deals: The gold standard, but competitive
- Amazon ads: Start small ($5-10/day) and learn as you go
- Newsletter swaps: Pay to be featured in other authors’ newsletters
- Book promotion sites: Bargain Booksy, Robin Reads, Fussy Librarian
### Track What Works (And Ditch What Doesn’t)
Keep it simple but keep track:
- Which social media posts get the most engagement?
- Where are your sales coming from?
- What promotional activities actually move the needle?
Use free tools like Google Analytics for your website and the built-in insights on social platforms to see what’s working.
The Long Game Mindset
Marketing your indie books isn’t about finding that one magic trick that makes you an overnight sensation. It’s about consistently showing up, building genuine relationships with readers, and slowly but surely growing your audience.
Some months you’ll sell three books. Some months you might sell thirty. Both are wins when you’re building something from scratch.
Remember: every bestselling author started exactly where you are now – with one book and a whole lot of hope. The difference between those who make it and those who don’t? They kept going, kept learning, and kept connecting with readers.
Be kind to yourself. If something doesn’t work adjust and try again.
Now stop reading about marketing and go do some actual marketing. Your books aren’t going to promote themselves (unfortunately).
What marketing strategies have worked best for you? What’s been your biggest challenge? Drop a comment below – the Weirdo wants to know!
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