I used to think the hardest part about being a writer was writing. But truthfully? That’s the part I love. It’s the sharing, the marketing, the putting-my-work-out-into-the-world part that’s always been hard.
I’ve struggled with it. Still do sometimes. But I’m learning. And if you’re in the same boat, I want to share a few things that are helping me get better, so we can grow together.
Marketing Isn’t Just Selling—It’s Storytelling
I used to think marketing meant being pushy or salesy. Like I had to constantly shout “Buy my book!” every time I opened my mouth (or posted online). But I’ve come to realize that marketing is really just storytelling with intention.
It’s saying:
- Here’s what I’m working on.
- Here’s why it matters to me.
- Here’s how it might help you too.
That shift in perspective has made a world of difference. When I frame marketing as an extension of my purpose—as a way to encourage other writers—it feels natural, not forced.
Consistency Over Complexity
One of my biggest challenges? I don’t do it consistently enough.
I’ll get excited, post a few things, maybe even write a whole email sequence… and then life happens. I fall off. And starting back up feels harder each time.
So now I’m focusing on simple consistency:
- Posting weekly instead of daily.
- Repurposing what I already wrote instead of starting from scratch.
- Giving myself grace, but not excuses.
Because you don’t need a complicated funnel or a huge following to make an impact. You just need to keep showing up, one post, one share, one heartfelt message at a time.
What Should I Post—and How Often?
That’s the big question, right? How often should I market? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
Here’s what I’ve decided works best for me (at least for now):
🗓 Weekly Rhythm:
- One longer-form piece of content (like this blog post, a Substack letter, or a LinkedIn post)
- 3–5 social media posts that pull quotes, ideas, or behind-the-scenes moments from that content
- One gentle mention of my book, series, or service with a link (that doesn’t feel like a pitch)
This gives me structure without burnout. And honestly, it feels good to show up regularly without overwhelming myself—or my audience.
How to Sell Without Sounding “Salesy”
Let’s be real: I never want people to feel like I’m just trying to get them to buy something.
So instead of focusing on “sales,” I focus on connection:
- I share lessons I’ve learned.
- I post quotes from my books that helped me first.
- I talk about the stories behind the stories.
- And then I invite people to go deeper if they feel led.
That might sound like:
“Writing Queen of Quitting helped me see quitting not as failure, but as redirection. If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book might bless you too.”
That’s it. No pressure. Just purpose.
Learning as I Go
I’m reading more about marketing, watching videos from people who’ve been where I am, and slowly building systems that work for my life. Not some perfect version of me—me, as I am now.
I’m learning that:
- I don’t have to do it all.
- I can market in a way that feels authentic.
- I’m allowed to be a work in progress—and so is my strategy.
If you’ve struggled with marketing too, just know this: You’re not behind. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re learning, just like me.
Let’s Grow Together
If you’re a writer who’s figuring this out like I am, tell me:
What’s been your biggest challenge when it comes to marketing your writing?
Drop it in the comments or hit reply if you’re reading this in an email.
And if you’ve found something that works for you, share it! Let’s keep lifting each other up.