Your Next Big Break or Your Gateway to Broke?

My previous post discussed the value of observing others when making decisions. Observation can be especially helpful in areas related to our profession, in my case writing. From publication to marketing and beyond, there are so many paths to take and fans as well as critics of each one. How can you sort out what’s right for you?

As I’ve mentioned in the past, a vital resource I used when my first novel was published was Carolyn Howard Johnson’s The Frugal Book Promoter. In the first few pages of the book, she brought out that readers may not follow her suggestions to the letter but ought to use her input to map out the course they would like to follow. Throughout the book, she offered how and why each method worked for her along with what she might do differently after testing one out. As a newbie author with no experience, I soaked up such insight and used it to begin my journey.

Thus, I often hesitate to get dogmatic when a fellow writer asks me, “What promotion techniques work for you?” I prefer to take the approach Johnson does, providing a few ideas and relating why the tools have helped my success. Just about ten years into this, I’ve come across a lot of different avenues with grand promises, and some have worked while others haven’t. Still, I realize my experience may differ from others.

Though there are blatant scams that prey on authors, many other services are legitimate, but they might not be too advantageous. I won’t list such here by name. My latest encounter with such was a company who gave out free books, with the incentive that the readers who requested it would join your newsletter subscribers and leave a review. Another author recommended this to me, and I had success with it for my latest release.

Because of that success, I decided to enter a different book, in sore need for some reviews on it. Though I received quite a few requests, I have yet to see any reviews from it, and some of the subscribers dropped off my email list as soon as they signed up. Being a paid service, I cancelled my account once I discerned that it wasn’t going to be profitable or even rewarding.

You can do the same with assessing whether a certain book event or entering particular contests is right for you. While you can poll other authors about its merit, it’s better to experience it for yourself most of the time. Why?

Like I mentioned earlier, different methods work for different people. We all have our own individual circumstances. More than that, we also have differing goals. Some are gunning for the best sellers list, and others just find satisfaction in seeing their stories in print. Hence, one person might deem a venture a disaster, whereas another may consider it a thrilling accomplishment.

Collecting observations and advice is crucial in meeting with success in any pursuit. Balance is necessary on both sides of the equation, however. If you’re the recipient, take everything you learn or observe into careful consideration, but don’t be afraid to take a chance on something you think would align with your personal aspirations. If you’re the giver, be candid and thorough with your feedback, but refrain from taking over. Unless you’re discussing a proven and harmful scam, give the other person room to explore.

Part of the excitement of starting something new is the challenge of tackling the unknown and learning from it. Don’t deprive others—or yourself—of that. Even if you don’t want to dive into unknown waters with reckless abandonment, watch fellow swimmers, check the temperature and wave height, and muster up the courage to dip in your own toes.