Being an author in today's digital age is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, the internet provides an unprecedented platform to share your work with the world. On the other hand, getting people to actually read that work can feel like an insurmountable challenge. This is a struggle I know all too well.

I publish my poetry and short stories on my blog, which is free and open to anyone. Yet, seldom do people read it. Occasionally, a few readers will give me feedback—a like, a comment of encouragement, maybe a share.

My published books, especially the poetry ones, have sold few copies. It often feels like I'm writing into a void, posting my work to myself. Despite a few people telling me I’m a talented writer, the lack of engagement can be disheartening.

The Challenge of Attracting Readers

The primary obstacle is simply getting people to read my work. Making it free hasn’t been enough. Social media, a tool many tout for its marketing potential, often feels pointless. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are designed to keep users within their ecosystems, making it hard to direct traffic to an external blog.

Standing out in a crowded market is another challenge I haven’t quite overcome. With countless writers vying for attention, it's easy for my work to get lost in the noise. Despite sharing snippets of my work on social media to pique curiosity, I can't control what people do, so I try not to focus too much on that aspect.

Another layer to this challenge is the algorithmic nature of social media. These platforms prioritize popular and frequent posters, making it even harder for less prominent voices to be heard. The constant push to create viral content can detract from the genuine expression I aim for in my writing.

Strategies to Attract Readers

I’ve tried multiple strategies to attract readers. Posting on Facebook through my author page hasn't gained much traction. While it offers a platform to share my work, the engagement has been minimal. Twitter offered some engagement, but without continuous posting, my presence was easily forgotten. Instagram and Threads faced similar issues, with likes not translating into blog visits. Even adding a link to my blog in my email signature hasn’t yielded noticeable results.

A commonly suggested strategy is to share your work with family and friends. However, this has proven difficult for me as well. With all my immediate family gone and no involvement with extended family, this avenue is essentially closed. Even sharing my work on my personal Facebook account has seen little response from the friends I do have.

The process of promoting my work on social media feels like shouting into a void. The algorithms favor frequent posters and popular content, making it difficult for a lone writer like me to gain visibility. I’ve read countless articles on improving engagement and increasing traffic, but none have provided a magic solution.

Despite these efforts, I continue to explore new ways to connect with potential readers, always hoping that one day, the right strategy will click.

How to Engage Your Audience

Engaging with my audience is another uphill battle. If someone follows my blog, I send a thank-you note. If they comment, I reply with gratitude. Recently, I posted a "thank you" poem to my readers, but it received no attention. Feedback is rare, and without it, I often feel like my work goes unread and unappreciated.

The few pieces of feedback I do receive are precious. They remind me that there are people out there who appreciate my work. However, the silence from the majority can be deafening. It's easy to feel discouraged when your efforts seem to go unnoticed. Despite this, I try to maintain a positive outlook and appreciate the small victories.

One way I've tried to foster engagement is by asking questions at the end of my blog posts, encouraging readers to share their thoughts. While this hasn't always been successful, it has occasionally sparked meaningful conversations. Another method is through newsletters, where I share updates and exclusive content with subscribers, hoping to build a more dedicated reader base.

Staying Motivated Despite Challenges

Despite these challenges, I stay motivated because I genuinely enjoy writing. It serves as therapy for me, a way to channel my racing thoughts into something creative. While the lack of engagement is frustrating, I remind myself that I write because it brings me joy. Publishing books allows me to proudly call myself an author, regardless of sales.

Writing is a deeply personal journey. The act of putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, is a form of self-expression and reflection. Even if my audience is small, the process itself is immensely rewarding. Each poem and story is a piece of my soul, and sharing them is an act of bravery.

To keep my spirits high, I set personal goals and celebrate small achievements. Whether it's completing a challenging poem or receiving a kind comment, these moments fuel my passion. Additionally, connecting with fellow writers provides a sense of community and mutual support, reminding me that I'm not alone in this journey.

Advice for Aspiring Authors

To other authors facing similar struggles, my advice is simple: keep writing. Don’t get lost in the statistics or the lack thereof. Write because it feels good and because you enjoy it.

Remember, the process itself is rewarding, even if the recognition is slow to come. Focus on the joy of creation rather than the reception. Write for yourself first and foremost. The satisfaction of crafting a beautiful sentence, a poignant poem, or a gripping story should be your primary motivation. Everything else is secondary.

Another piece of advice is to seek out writing communities. Online forums, writing groups, and social media communities can offer support, feedback, and a sense of belonging. Sharing your work with peers who understand your journey can be incredibly validating and encouraging.

Lastly, consider exploring different promotional strategies. While social media might not have worked for me, it could for you. Experiment with guest blogging, participating in writing contests, or even starting a podcast about your writing journey. The key is to keep trying new things and not give up.

Conclusion

The struggle to get people to read your work is real and often discouraging. But if you love writing, let that passion drive you. Keep sharing your stories and poems, not for the likes or the shares, but for the sheer joy of creation. In the end, it's the love for writing that will sustain you through the toughest times.

Remember, every great author faced their own challenges and moments of doubt. Stay true to your voice and keep writing your story, for it’s the persistence and passion that will eventually carve your place in the literary world.

Image credit: Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

(C) Eric Montgomery, May 2024