I’ve written and held workshops about asking for help. But, I realize I could be doing a better job of asking for help myself.
Since last fall, I’ve been focused on conducting research for my next book which will focus on respect in friendships. It’s one thing to write a book. It’s another thing to market and sell one.
While I’m proud that the sales from 7 Forms of Respect® are in the top 10% of self-published books, I dream this next book will reach many more people. I want total strangers across the country to approach respect with curiosity in everyday conversations. I envision the book being on people’s shelves and coffee tables. I hope it will lead to opportunities to grow CuriosityBased’s business and brand. And sometimes that dream seems so elusive, I wonder if it will ever happen.
Everything we’ve achieved to sell and market the 7 Forms of Respect® thus far has been through word of mouth, earned media, and consistent content creation. I recognize that to get to the next level, I’m going to have to get an agent and a traditional publisher who can distribute my book widely.
Last month, I was sharing my desire for higher distribution with another writer friend. He tried to soothe me by saying, “As long as you’re trying your hardest.” His words made me realize, “I don’t think I am trying my hardest. I don’t actually think I’m doing the things that make me uncomfortable, that risk rejection. I could be asking for a lot more help.”
This is where you come in. I have to strengthen my “platform” to prove to potential agents there’s an existing market for my work on which they can build.
So, I am asking you for help in three simple ways:
- I want to grow newsletter subscribers by 20% by the end of summer. Could you please recommend to a few people to subscribe to this newsletter?
- If you read the book, 7 Forms of Respect®, please review it on GoodReads and/ or Amazon. We have 95 reviews across both platforms and I’d like to get to 200 by the end of the summer.
- Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook and like or share our content.
Phew. There, I did it. I asked you for help.
Since that conversation with my friend, I’ve risked rejection daily by directly asking people if I can add them to my newsletter subscriber list. Fortunately, everyone has said, “Yes.”
Are you struggling to ask me for help with something because it feels like you risk rejection? If so, please tell me about it, or ask away. I’d love to hear from you.
Best,
