How Do Authors Battle Marketing PTSD To Promote Their Books?

 

 

We think of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when we discuss veterans of war, emergency response workers, and anyone in the trenches of treating others during a tragedy. But there are authors who may suffer from PTSD. Can they recover?

 

Authors, when it comes to book marketing, avoid immersing themselves in promotions, often for reasons both legitimate and not. They are gripped by fear, guilt, stress, and desire, unable to take action because they feel psychologically overwhelmed. Call it author PTSD.

 

Some authors feel anxiety over promoting a book because:

 

·         They fear failure – or success.

·         They stress over what needs to be done.

·         They feel insecure about their abilities to promote.

·         They can’t plan or manage their day-to-day activities well.

·         They failed in the past and don’t want to repeat their mistakes.

·         They know what needs to be done but doubt they are capable of doing it.

 

So, what’s the solution?

 

·         Seek a therapist?

·         Take meds?

·         Keep asking what needs to be done?

·         Hire someone to help?

·         Switch professions?

 

PTSD is a real thing for many people. It is a state of mind that limits how one lives. Some limit their travel, activities, and expenditures simply because fears grip them and force them into a corner. Whereas one person can take risks, make sacrifices, and explore how to take action, others don’t see how they can move past their psychological challenges.

 

There are no easy answers. But the first step is to evaluate or admit that you have writer PTSD. If something cripples you, acknowledge it.

 

Step Two: Determine a course of action. What can you change? Can you commit to doing things differently? Should you outsource what needs to be done?

 

Step Three: Seek out help, in whatever form it takes. You will feel better – and benefit from it.

 

I guess an author who feels blocked from success is blocked for a reason. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Circumstances change and people change. Authors should have hope and feel they can still move forward, regardless of past losses, setbacks, challenges, or inadequacies.

 

Don’t give up – and don’t believe it is hopeless. Where there is a will, there is a way. Suffering from book marketing PTSD does not have to remain one’s fate.

 

 

Need Book PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2021. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.