Pick 3 things and be amazing at those

What is the biggest problem facing authors when getting started with internet marketing?

Analysis Paralysis

There are 189 social networks listed on Wikipedia. Even if you completely ignore social media, you have to make decisions about email newsletters, blogging, podcasting, guest posting, webinars and on and on. They could each be a great opportunity to build your tribe but there is simply too much to choose from and as a result many people throw up their hands in frustration and quit.

Embrace Constraints

The truth is, we already have too much to do outside of building our tribe so the idea of adding another dozen things to an already busy schedule is not very appealing. Especially when you have no idea if what you are doing will make a real impact.

The key to break out of analysis paralysis and start making some progress is to embrace constraints. When looking at all the different ways you can build your online platform, the idea is to pick three things and be amazing at those. Here’s why:

• It allows you to actually get started. By picking three specific platform-building ideas it allows you to break analysis paralysis.
• It makes your to-do list manageable. Keeping your list down to three items will make it much more likely that you follow through.
• It is a litmus test for opportunities. There will always be a shiny, new thing to spend your time on when marketing yourself online. By making the decision to stick to three specific things, it keeps you from getting distracted by every marketing tips article you read.
• It allows you to be successful. If you try to get involved in a dozen things, you will not be great at all of them. The likely outcome is you getting burned out and never build a following. By focusing on only three things, it allows you to do your best work and will give you the most impact.

As you look through all of the options to market your book and build your tribe, remember that your job is to pick three things and be amazing at those.  Don’t get caught in the trap chasing everything new marketing gimmick that comes across your screen.