This is the blog post I prepared for you yesterday. But I guess the timing wasn’t right for you to see it as I could not get on my blog site most of the day. When I realized my blog site was finally available, I was at a colleagues home trying to help her with her new blog. And I never got back to mine. So I apologize for remaining silent yesterday–it was not because I wanted to. And I hope that you get something of value from this rather off-the-wall concept for promoting your books and yourself.
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Promotion, for most authors and freelance writers, is not an exact science. It’s sometimes difficult to know when to hit the pavement and when to step back. Why would I suggest that anyone, who is in promotion mode, ever step back? There are several reasons and they have more to do with timing, economic fears and perspective than technique or the true economic climate.
When fear drives our promotional efforts, we may tend to panic. You might lament, “What if I don’t get enough work (or sell enough books) to pay the bills?” If we market from a fearful place, can we be effective? I’ve watched authors at book festivals get so frustrated and disappointed in their book sales and so fearful that they won’t make a profit, that they begin to approach potential customers with a slightly aggressive attitude. They practically challenge people to buy their book and visibly dis them when they don’t.
Freelance writers sometimes become so frightened that they might fail and lose their preferred lifestyle, that they begin submitting indiscriminately. Rather than taking steps to better their chances of success, they jump in the way of the success they desire.
I sometimes wear myself out trying to attract clients who need editing services or help with their publishing project. I spend every free hour working on my platform—building it higher and higher and higher. As most of you know, this means that I am submitting writing/publishing-related articles to appropriate magazines, going out and speaking to authors, attending book festivals, commenting at other blogs, contacting former clients and so forth. And this is all good.
But there comes a time when I become spent. Perhaps you know what I mean. You feel as though you are doing a lot for no purpose. You are not getting the results you desire. At that point, it’s easy to do one of two things—give up or get angry. You either walk away in defeat or develop an intense dislike for all of those idiots who won’t buy your book, publish your articles or hire you to edit their manuscripts. And what do either of these scenarios do for your bottom line? Absolutely nothing.
There is another way. And it has worked for me numerous times. It’s called “stepping back.” It’s a change in attitude or perspective. I find that when I get out of “fear mode” and curb my sense of panic, I begin to trust the universe. When I am able to be sincere in my gratitude, I give thanks for the wonderful clients I’ve had and for always receiving just the right project at the right time.
When I stop forcing things—insisting that I get what I want, when I want it and in the way I want it presented—the universe hands me exactly what I need and just at the right time.
Sometimes, we get the best results when we get out of the way and allow the universe to respond to our requests. Now this does not mean that we should give up on promotion. Not at all. Instead, do the promotion and send each piece of it off with gratitude. Express appreciation to the universe for your many blessings and for the opportunity to pursue this avenue of promotion. Bless the press release, article or review copy of your book as it leaves your possession and trust that it will bring you many more blessings.
Ewwwww, that’s kind of “out there” for some of you, isn’t it? But hey, don’t discard it too quickly. I can tell you that it has worked many times for me. I’ve also seen this practice work for women who are seeking a man. No kidding. But you can’t use this technique if you don’t believe in it. If your gratitude and trust aren’t genuine, it probably won’t work for you.
If you’re making the effort to get word out about your products or services, but you’re not attracting sales or clients, you are probably getting in the way of the natural flow by being attached to your expectations.
Have you ever experienced what I am attempting to describe here? Maybe you recall a time when you just relaxed and quit trying to force something to happen—stopped focusing intently on one result and just let go of your perceived control. What happened? Did you realize some amazing success?
This would be a good time for you to comment here at my blog site. We could all use a little help and support even that which appears to come from outer space.
Thanks for the reminder. Yesterday I called my aunt and told her about my magazine article just published. When she told me, “You are really doiing good and getting more work”, I was surprised – I am! This morning a woman I interviewed for another article called to ask when it would be out. During the course of the conversation, she said, “So you freelance? We’re always looking for freelancers – are you interested?” Instead of my mind insisiting I need more magazines to write for, I now have a web site client!