Am I Doing Enough to Get My Self-Published Book Noticed?
As a self-published author, I’ve thrown myself into the challenge of promoting my book with as much energy as I poured into writing it. This time around, I promised myself I wouldn’t just hit “publish” and hope for the best. Instead, I’ve been proactive, consistent, and maybe even a little relentless in trying to give my story the audience it deserves.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
Beefed up my Goodreads profile with quotes, updates, and even daily blogs.
Created a dedicated Goodreads group where authors can support each other with promotion ideas.
Launched a Goodreads Giveaway to get advance copies into readers’ hands.
Set up Amazon Ads to target both UK and US audiences.
Built a social media presence with countdown posts, quotes, and updates on Instagram, Bluesky, and beyond.
Submitted to BookSirens and similar ARC platforms to generate early reviews.
Uploaded an ARC copy to Kindle so readers can access a professional digital version.
Engaged in online discussions and debates (yes, even on Reddit!) about the realities of self-publishing.
Connected with author communities on LibraryThing and other sites where readers gather.
Planned a documentary that chronicles the last six months of my Ironman journey—designed to complement my book launch.
Committed to blogging on Medium to keep the conversation going after the book’s release.
It’s been a huge learning curve, and I’ve worked hard to avoid the “echo chambers” and quick-fix marketing traps that promise the world but deliver nothing but spam. I’ve learned from the mistakes of my first book, where I leaned too heavily on sites that only existed to take an author’s money.
This time, my aim is simple: not to become rich, but to reach the people who might genuinely be inspired by my story. If one reader finds motivation in my words, then it’s a win.
And yet—I still find myself asking the same question:
What more can I do?
For those of you who are further along in this journey, or for readers who’ve seen books succeed through grassroots methods, what worked for you? What creative or unexpected strategies might help a self-published author break through the noise and reach the people who need to read their story?
Because at the end of the day, writing the book was just the first finish line. Getting it read is the real race.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
Beefed up my Goodreads profile with quotes, updates, and even daily blogs.
Created a dedicated Goodreads group where authors can support each other with promotion ideas.
Launched a Goodreads Giveaway to get advance copies into readers’ hands.
Set up Amazon Ads to target both UK and US audiences.
Built a social media presence with countdown posts, quotes, and updates on Instagram, Bluesky, and beyond.
Submitted to BookSirens and similar ARC platforms to generate early reviews.
Uploaded an ARC copy to Kindle so readers can access a professional digital version.
Engaged in online discussions and debates (yes, even on Reddit!) about the realities of self-publishing.
Connected with author communities on LibraryThing and other sites where readers gather.
Planned a documentary that chronicles the last six months of my Ironman journey—designed to complement my book launch.
Committed to blogging on Medium to keep the conversation going after the book’s release.
It’s been a huge learning curve, and I’ve worked hard to avoid the “echo chambers” and quick-fix marketing traps that promise the world but deliver nothing but spam. I’ve learned from the mistakes of my first book, where I leaned too heavily on sites that only existed to take an author’s money.
This time, my aim is simple: not to become rich, but to reach the people who might genuinely be inspired by my story. If one reader finds motivation in my words, then it’s a win.
And yet—I still find myself asking the same question:
What more can I do?
For those of you who are further along in this journey, or for readers who’ve seen books succeed through grassroots methods, what worked for you? What creative or unexpected strategies might help a self-published author break through the noise and reach the people who need to read their story?
Because at the end of the day, writing the book was just the first finish line. Getting it read is the real race.
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