How Much am I Worth?

In today’s publishing world it doesn’t matter how you publish from self-publishing to the BIG 5 traditional publishers, the author is primarily responsible for marketing.  The publisher takes responsibility for putting the book into the distribution and stream and helping it land in a few brick and mortar stores.

In my presentations I point out that the skills needed to write a good novel and those to market a novel are radically different to the point of being mutually exclusive.  Many authors bemoan marketing and like to pretend the work is below their station in life.  I don’t agree.  I want to market my work as long as someone doesn’t want to turn me into a brand.  I’m not a box of cereal – I’m a person, I’m an author.
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About 95% of my book sales have been from direct selling.  My Amazon sales are minimal and the few I have had, I believe, are the result of conferences and book sales I have attended.  I honestly don’t have a clue on how to generate Amazon sales.  I advertised on Goodreads for a year and even gave away books but I can’t point to any sales from the effort.  I took out an ad in the Irish American News for a year and again, can’t tell if I sold a single book as a result.
I am honest enough to admit I don’t have any idea how to market a book series.  In wide, wide world of readers who will buy three books from Rex Owens?  I admit, I need help.  My solution is to seek help from a professional.  I know I will need to determine a budget for marketing services.
 So the question becomes – how much do I invest in myself?  How much am I worth?    
If there are authors reading this blog who have used professional marketing services, please email me at:  [email protected] and share your experience.