When You’re Stuck, Start Smaller
How to rebuild momentum when everything feels like too much.
You know that feeling when you're in the middle of a grocery store with no list, you’re starving, and somehow you end up with frozen waffles, six cans of chickpeas, and nothing remotely resembling a meal?
Right now, you might be hungry for book sales. To feed that, you’re throwing everything at your potential reader—anything you can think of. A reel here, a random post there. Maybe a newsletter you haven’t sent in three months. You’re trying, but nothing seems to stick. And that’s when the frustration creeps in.
This is where a lot of authors get stuck. Not because they don’t care or aren’t working hard enough—but because they’re moving without a plan. And I get it. No one wants to slow down long enough to make one. It feels like it’ll take too much time, or you tell yourself you don’t really need it.
Yes, I have a beautiful, simple marketing plan I can teach you. It works.
But what if, just for now, you didn’t worry about the whole plan?
What if you started with your immediate goal?
Then write a short list of things that will help you get to that goal.
Then write down the activities you can do to accomplish those things.
And then—just start with one. One thing this week. That’s it.
If you need a few ideas, here are three small, strategic actions that every author can take—ones that don’t just “check the box,” but actually move you forward:
Update your Amazon Author Profile.
This isn’t just a bio—it’s a visibility tool. Every time you update it, Amazon’s search engine gets fresh content, which can improve your discoverability. I recommend updating it twice a year. Freshen up the language, add any new accomplishments, and maybe let go of that mention of winning Best Short Story in 10th grade (unless that still fits your brand).Engage with someone else’s post.
Not everything has to come from you. Commenting on posts from other authors, readers, or professionals in your niche is a low-effort way to build relationships and stay visible. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to show up.Block off 30 minutes this week for your own marketing.
If you’re constantly saying, “I’ll do it when I have time,” this is your sign. Time doesn’t appear—you carve it out. Label it whatever you want (Marketing Me Time?), but protect it like it matters. Because it does.
Marketing doesn’t have to mean doing everything. But doing something with intention? That’s how you build momentum.
If you’re not sure what belongs on your list—or you have a dozen ideas and no clue which to start with—I offer something called UnStuck Extended. It’s a 90-minute, hit-the-ground-running session where you can bring your questions, your half-baked marketing plans, or even just that “I know I need to do something but I don’t know what” feeling. Together, we’ll clear the fog and build a doable path forward.
You can book one here, or save the link for when you need it.
In the meantime, pick your one thing. Start small. You’re not as far off-track as you think.
Lynn brings her more than 30-years experience in small business marketing, publishing, and multiple best-selling author campaigns to her Substack newsletter. She helps authors build and grow their platforms to reach their unique marketing goals through private coaching, non-fiction consulting, and done-for-you marketing programs. And all this, through her computer, in her little lake house in rural Pennsylvania which she shares with her husband, son, and two fluffy companions, Kaiju and Bella.