Ripples in an ocean of talent

Well I’ve quite proudly made my sales into double figures, there is a light on the horizon! That means there are at least 15 people who have entered my imagination and of course it really is only early days. The fact that people ARE reading my book is a good sign and the most feedback I’m getting is positive. But now how to go beyond that social network of friends? I promise I am trying (well many would say that about me as a person) but it is a strange affair.

I liken this whole process as trying to a salesperson. You turn up, present what you have but already people have their trusted alternatives. Everyone has their Jack Higgins, Andy McNab, Chris Ryan and similar. Why should the deviate from the known and delve into the unknown? That’s what we fight against and even though you open yourself up to the world there’s only a few that take notice of the “little man”.

I’ve kept everything online but seeing as I have based this on the world I live in – having taken most of my influence from my home town Kimberley, I’m going to start adding some sort physical presence. Just a few simple posters in select (accessible) shops to see if I can get a local audience to come and play!

It really is a massive minefield out there trying to promote and publicise a self-published book. I have a Twitter audience (80 something followers so not too bad) but I know a lot of them will be one click wonders and forget about me. I’m trying desperately not be too spammy and constantly post tweet after tweet and come across as desperate or irritating. In itself it is a fickle and delicate balance on Social Media. I’ve grown my presence with a Facebook Page for the book, an Author profile and invested my time in making myself known on Authors Databases, Book websites and hopefully someone will say….oh hello let’s give this geezer a try!

Of course there are the numerous online companies that offer help to tweet your book for money, or set something up for X amount this month then an offer for another to promote your book. But I look at what they do and I can do it too. Of course they have follower in the tens of thousands and perhaps I should research one of these to do a bout of promotion and see if I can drag in some new readers. No matter how unwilling they are to part from the known I am confident they would like the alternative I am offering.

But then again as I sit here stomping away on the laptop keyboard my daughter has just come running in with her hands held open. At first I couldn’t work out why but then I realised “our” song was playing in the background. She loves to have a slow dance to the song and being there with her just hugging me and rocking side to side with the music and having her head on my shoulder I realised that it actually doesn’t matter. And to share mine and Little C’s song I’ll share a link to the song here (I make no apologies the song comes from the Magic Mike XXL soundtrack – I always need inspiration and drive for the gym after all and it was a good film!!!)

People can choose to read me or not, that is their right. I’d love for the world to know what I’ve created and I’m sure in time, with support from those that have/are reading Footprints that some of them may share the fact they (hopefully) like it.

So much of the future of this endeavour is both in and out of my hands. I can only do so much, I can make the book look appealing, I can sell the story as best I can but ultimately I can dance naked after a gym session with the Amazon link written on my……..chest and still people would have to physically type in the link and make that choice whether they take a gamble and try something new.

I’m Indie, I’m new, I’m unknown but lets face it. Six months ago nobody had heard of Tobey Alexander and now they do. I don’t need an audience of a million, I’d rather have fifty people who wanted to go with me into the depths of my head than a thousand who read the first few chapters and then turned away.

I have in effect thrown the tiny pebble into a massive ocean of talent but no matter what I have made a ripple. It may not reach the shores but the ocean will never be as still as it once was, there will always be the echo of my pebble, my little addition to the world of fiction writing.