What’s Holding You Back from Marketing Your Book? (And How to Overcome It)

You wrote a book. A real, actual book. You poured your heart, soul, and time into it, between editing, formatting, and perfecting every word. And then… nothing.

Because as much as you love writing, marketing feels like an entirely different beast. If the thought of promoting your book makes you cringe, you’re not alone.

I’ve worked with countless authors who struggle to market their books, and the reasons are surprisingly similar. So let’s talk about what’s holding you back. And, more importantly, how to move past it so your book can get the attention it deserves.

1. You Don’t Want to Sound “Salesy”

You’re afraid of being the author constantly screaming, “BUY MY BOOK!” on every social media platform. You don’t want to annoy people. You don’t want to come across as pushy.

The Fix: Shift from Selling to Storytelling

Here’s the truth: marketing isn’t about shouting at people. It’s about inviting them into a story.

Instead of “Hey, buy my book,” try:

• Sharing why you wrote it.
• Talking about the challenges you faced while writing.
• Posting fun, behind-the-scenes details.

People connect with stories, not sales pitches. When you approach marketing as storytelling, it stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling natural.

2. Impostor Syndrome Is Whispering Lies in Your Ear

Be honest, does any of this sound familiar?

• “Who am I to call myself an author?”
• “No one’s going to care about this book.”
• “What if people hate it?”

That little voice telling you that you’re not “legit” enough? That’s impostor syndrome, and it’s lying to you.

The Fix: Own Your Role as an Author

You wrote a book. That makes you an author. Period.

The most successful writers aren’t the ones who never doubt themselves. They’re the ones who show up anyway. So start saying it out loud:

 “I wrote a book.”
“I’m an author.”
“I have something valuable to share.”

The more you own it, the easier it becomes to market your work with confidence.

3. You Feel Overwhelmed and Don’t Know Where to Start

Marketing can feel like an endless checklist:

• Social media
• Email lists
• Book signings
• Ads
• Website
• TikTok? Instagram? YouTube?!

It’s easy to get so overwhelmed that you do… absolutely nothing.

The Fix: Start Small and Build Momentum

You don’t need to master everything at once. Instead:

• Pick ONE platform you enjoy (Instagram? Facebook? TikTok?) and start engaging.
• Create a simple website with a basic landing page where people can find your book.
• Set up an email list and send updates when you have something to say.

You don’t need a perfect marketing plan. You just need to start.

4. You’re Afraid of Judgment

Let’s be real! Putting your book out there is scary. Because once it’s in the world, people can judge it. They can leave reviews. They can criticize.

And that can feel terrifying.

The Fix: Redefine Success

Not everyone will love your book. And that’s okay.

Even the most successful authors have one-star reviews. (Go check your favorite book on Amazon. I guarantee someone hated it.)

Instead of fearing criticism, focus on this: your book will find the right readers.

And those readers? They’ll love it. But they can’t love it if they don’t know it exists.

5. You Secretly Hope Someone Else Will Market It for You

Wouldn’t it be nice if a publisher, an agent, or a viral post magically handled all your marketing for you?

I get it. But here’s the truth: even traditionally published authors have to market their own books these days.

The Fix: Take Control of Your Success

No one cares about your book as much as you do. So instead of waiting for a marketing miracle, take charge.

• Engage with potential readers.
• Show up consistently, even in small ways.
• Talk about your book like it matters, because it does.

The sooner you embrace this, the faster you’ll build an audience that genuinely cares about your work.

Final Thoughts: Your Book Deserves Readers — Don’t Keep It Hidden

Marketing isn’t about begging people to buy your book. It’s about making sure the right people know it exists. 

You wrote something incredible. Now, take the next step:

•  Share your story.
• Connect with readers.
• Get your book out there.

Your book deserves to be read. And the only way that happens is if you tell people about it. So, start small. Shift your mindset. Show up, even when it’s scary.