Last week celebrated Groundhog Day—a silly holiday that is supposed to predict the weather climate for the next six weeks. Punxsutawney Phil emerged the AM for February 2^nd and did his thing … the shadow was there. According to Groundhog Day followers, winter will continue for another six weeks. Now according, to the coming of Winter Solstice last December, it will continue until the Spring Equinox on March 20^th. More like seven weeks—but what’s a few days?

If the shadow shows, many view it as the opportunity to stay in. Spring and the new work it brings is still far away. But is it? And should you be thinking that way? In other words, do you stay in the shadows of your marketing, waiting for a better day? Don’t.

The better thing to do is ask yourself a question:

What motivates you as an author?

It’s a question every author needs to ask and answer. Is it simple, “I did it”? Or, is it something else? Whatever it is for you, it should be the guide to what you do and how you do it.

Your next question is:

What motivates your buyer?

You and your book are products. Any product sold today has “motivation” behind it—I don’t care if it’s an air conditioner, new car, comfy sweater, a new restaurant … whatever. If it is looking for a consumer to buy it, it’s a product.  The marketing team is probing, searching and study its consumer. They don’t jump into it lightly. Then it creates a plan designed to lure you, hook you, and create a sale. You and your book are no different.

My next question is:

What’s your marketing plan?

The truth is no one is going to motivate you to take any action in creating your marketing plan and launch it. YOU must be the motivator. You must be the decision maker. You must launch it for your author and book success.

If you don’t like the results you are currently experiencing, I arrive at my final question:

What are you going to do to change them?

My four-bits … what say you?

Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 35 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (Foreword IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #35, How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos has earned 7 national book awards in 2017. Get your copy now.

Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged Bootcamp, a three-day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2018, the dates are June 23-25.  Participate in her Judith Briles Speaking Unplugged Bootcamp held in March and November. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow.

Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

AuthorU® and The Book Shepherd® are registered trademarks