Is there a point where I decide I can’t sell more books and quit?
It’s been about a year since I began to completely focus on and write full time.
During this year I have outlined and written the first four novels of my Forgotten Fodder clone sci-fi series; edited and published the 3rd Void Incursion sci-fantasy novel and completed the 4th novel of that series; outlined the 5th and final novel of the Void Incursion, 4 more books and a new story arc for Forgotten Fodder, and have outlined the first novel and background of a new sci-fi series tentatively called Savagespace.
So far, I have released 3 novels in 2021, and have 3 more being readied for release in August, October, and November. In theory, I could write, edit, and publish 6+ books in 2022.
This has been great and very exciting. All these books adding to my catalog and showing I’m a serious writer. But there is, admittedly, one small/large problem.
Sales of my books are flat.
I’m a realist. I know creating a bestseller takes a combination of time, effort, energy, and frankly being in the right place at the right time. Additionally, being self-published, I know that I lack the resources a traditionally published author has.
But sales at a sustainable level for all my titles isn’t an unrealistic goal.
The question – how do I sell more books? – has been with me all along. But now, a new question I don’t desire to address, but cannot ignore has come up – is there a point where I decide I can’t sell more books and quit?
What am I doing to sell more books?
There are several things I’m doing to increase my book sales to sell more books.
First – I’ve been working with a marketing company to improve my methods and techniques for developing brand recognition and increasing sales. Because of my budget limitations, they are mostly working to help ME do the development of hashtags and approaches to increase sales. They’ve also been creating videos for me to use for promotional purposes.
Second – I’ve been posting to my blogs regularly, as well as to other social media. Putting myself out there in numerous ways to increase brand recognition.
Third – I’ve been running various ads on Facebook and Amazon from time to time. Neither of these options are tremendously expensive – and can increase people seeing what I have to offer.
The effort is there. Now comes the hard question.
Am I getting an ROI (Return On Investment)?
Let’s chew on some numbers here.
All told, the marketing company and ads are running me about $200 a month. Editing a novel, plus paying for cover art, is running between $425 and $550 per book. At an average of around $485 per book, plus the marketing cost – I’m spending approximately $685 per book. Hence, in 2021, I am spending approximately $4100 to publish and market all 6 of these books.
Ergo, to get an ROI, I need to earn about $345 a month to break even.
Let’s play more with averages. Counting only my sci-fi and fantasy titles, there are 9 books available for purchase. The average amount of money I get per book is $2.50. Ergo, I need to sell 138 books per month. This comes out to an average of just over 15 copies of each book per month. This does not account for sales of the audiobooks (there is 1 sci-fi audiobook now and will be 2 as soon as the ACX/Audible reviews are complete).
There is nothing unreasonable in the notion of selling 15 copies of any given book of mine per month. For added perspective, a little research shows a bestseller moves at around 5000 copies PER WEEK. Hence, if I can sell 173 copies of any one of the books the gets me $2 per sale – or 35 copies of each of the 5 books that I make $2 per sale on – I am not losing money.
Am I getting an ROI? No. Sadly, my sales are not at yet this level.
How do I sell more books to get an ROI?
I don’t know. Plain and simple, I don’t know how to further promote my brand and my work to generate those sales.
This is the ongoing question I ask as I strive to do my work. I still believe that this is what I am here to do in this world. Sharing not just the flights of fancy of my sci-fi and fantasy worlds – but sharing methods, ideas, and other notions through my words.
Beyond the books I put out, I create daily articles about the ongoing process of getting my writing to higher sales, as well as conscious reality creation, mindfulness, positivity, and more.
I know what I desire to do. But the how is eluding me. Along that line, I am open to suggestions – and continue to work on getting the rest of the titles edited and released as scheduled for this year.
But where do I go from there? As much as I am anti asking “What if?” this question I dread can’t be ignored forever.
Is there a point where I decide I can’t sell more books and quit?
Right now, my answer to this is no. Because I am not seeking an unrealistic end goal, and I believe that this is part of my PFE – purpose for existing – I am going to keep working at it.
For years, I attempted to go the traditional publishing route. But after lots of rejections from agents and publishing houses – and better tools online for self-publishing – I determined self-publishing was the better way to go.
But that means I am responsible for all aspects of my brand. All marketing efforts and attempts to increase brand recognition and subsequent sales are on me.
I’m no stranger to the idea that in the process of conscious reality creation, obstacles are common. As the saying goes, it’s always darkest before the dawn. I’ve put out the effort, I’m writing the books. To do it right, I’m paying an awesome cover artist and a great editor. I treat this as the business that it is.
Yes, I accept that I may need to shift my agenda and do some part-time work to generate more income. That, in turn, could loosen the uncertainty in my subconscious that sabotages my goal to make my living as a writer. Because while I have no control over anyone and their willingness to purchase my books – my attitude, belief and faith in myself and my work are entirely mine alone.
Quit? Never. Writing books is in my blood, and I love creating fanciful stories – especially in the sci-fi and fantasy realms. But as the quote that Einstein may or may not have said goes,
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
I remain mindful of this as I press on.
Onwards and forwards
I am open to the need to change my approach. Find and employ new strategies and tactics. But first, I need to be kind to myself, compassionate, and keep at it. This is what I most desire to do with my life.
Maybe the current approach isn’t working – but that just means it’s time to adjust it.
How do I sell more books? I’m not sure – but I know the answer is out there. I will keep plugging away at it until I am satisfied – because I believe in myself and the work I do. And I have faith in what I am doing and that it is of value and worth pursuing.
And finally – I am worthy and deserving of succeeding at it.
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