Increasing your reach takes time, it takes marketing, and of course it takes money. There’s a saying you have to spend money to make money and that applies to independent authors as well. You have to pay for physical copies, albeit it at the discount, you have to pay for booths at events, you have to pay to appear as a guest on a podcast, and you have to pay to join these indy author organizations. Now, many of authors have creative minds, not business oriented minds so increasing your reach is not the easiest task. Luckily, I have a supportive mother who helps me put my name out there. Even though not every conversation materializes into an opportunity, none will if you don’t ask people.
Talking Helps Make Possibilites
I’ve learned that increasing your reach takes nearly as much effort and planning as publishing a novel, only it requires a second party to coordinate and get on the same page. Now, because of my autism talking to people has never been my greatest strength, but I have improved over the years. Again, I credit my mother, my friends, and my community for being so supportive of my pursuits of increasing my reach and getting my book out into the world. I have become a member of the Connecticut Book Festival group. Lastly, I have a major opportunity next weekend, where I will be a street vendor at my town’s annual Mum Festival where thousands of people are expected to attend. Thus, I am continuing to increase my reach. It will be a busy few months, but it’s worth the hard work.