Alle responds to: "I've spent thousands on PR and: no sales."
Alle suggests: "Podcasts." This is how you approach them.
I've put so much effort into marketing. Not to mention money. But no matter what I did, I couldn't get a single sale, even after 5 years. I don't know what to do anymore. I’m officially giving up on marketing
Woah, woah, woah, woah!
Selling a book is harder than writing one. Right now, at five years out — waaaaaaay beyond any book’s “1-year-is-new” date — your book will be hard to market.
I might be hitting that very point in the life of my first novel. It is painful to accept.
So I'm approaching podcasts.
How to:
Google “best podcast” then add your book’s primary topic.
Make a list of 10-25.
Do that three separate times.
Cross-check. Those are your best podcasts.
If you like, you can do the same with your second and third topics.
You now have a rarified list, tailored to your book.
Create an introduction email, and start contacting. Attach your book as PDF, for free.
Now …
I hate to say this, but as you report having no sales: are you sure the writing is the best you can do? Perhaps an editor would help. Or trade manuscripts with someone. Get someone else’s eyes on your work.
Finally:
Write your next book. Again, after five years, it is going to be hard to drum up interest in this one. You could put that marketing energy into writing, and have a whole, new book to promote. (Plus: writing is the most fun part of being a writer.)
Best of luck!
