Why My Books Didn’t Sell—And What I’m Doing Differently Now

Less Than $200: What I’ve Learned (And What I’d Do Differently)

Let’s keep it real—I've been selling books for three years and have made less than $200.

That’s not a typo. Not $2,000. Not even $500. Nope. Two hundred dollars. Over three years.

That’s less than what people spend on coffee in a week. Less than what somebody might spend on a fast-food combo meal and a tip. Sometimes, I’d go weeks promoting and walk away with nothing but a few likes and “I’ll check it out” comments that went nowhere. 🥴

I Thought All I Had to Do Was Publish...

When I started, I was excited. I wrote my book, uploaded it, and thought, “If even 50 people buy this, I’ll be straight.” But here’s the thing—I wasn’t giving anything away. I was keeping the book close to my chest, like a secret. I barely shared quotes, gave previews, or told people why they should care.

I’d promote for a few weeks, hope for a miracle sale, and then move on. The truth? You can’t be quiet and expect loud results.

Did I Make Sales? Yes.

But they were few and far between. I’d celebrate every single one like it was a lottery win. I was grateful, but if you add it all up, the total was still less than what a venti Starbucks costs.

And here’s the hard truth: selling many books is not easy. Especially when you’re independent and doing it all yourself.

What I’d Do Differently Now

Looking back, here’s what I’d absolutely change:

• I’d focus on one book. Just one. Not five. Not twenty. ONE. And I’d put all my energy into promoting that one until it paid off.
• I’d give away free game. Quotes, chapters, behind-the-scenes stories—something to hook people. Nobody buys a mystery product from a mystery author anymore.
• I’d be consistent, not just hopeful. Hoping doesn't equal sales. Consistent posting, showing up every week, does.
• I’d build a community, not just sell. People don’t just buy books. They buy stories from people they connect with.

The Lesson?

It’s not about how many books you write. It’s about how much love and focus you give to one. You can have 20 books, but if no one’s reading them, what’s the point?

Today, I’d rather sell one book a hundred times than have 100 books that barely move.

And that’s on growth. 📈

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